The King's Own Scottish Borderers in Korea

Roll of Honour

On 4th November, the Chinese launched their 'Gunpowder Plot' offensive against the KOSB's positions with 6,000 men. During this battle Private Speakman won a VC and the enemy's attack failed, costing the Chinese more than 1,000 dead, while the borderers had 7 killed, 87 wounded and 44 missing. After this battle, the Borderers were withdrawn and moved to another sector. They left Korea in August 1952.

In the failing light, the Chinese gained a stronghold on the hinge of the KOSB's line, Hundreds of Chinese fell upon two platoons at this hinge in the line, which slogged it out against the Chinese. At 2am, the platoons contacted their battalion and were ordered to withdraw. The remnants fought their way out from the encircling Chinese and brought their wounded comrades with them. Armed jeeps forayed into the Chinese lines looking for any KOSB's who may have been left behind, and it is believed that very few wounded fell into Chinese hands.

During the attack, Fusilier ******* ***** a member of the KOSB, had cowered in the bottom of his trench unable to take action, sidling off to another trench from his own position and being unwilling or unable to fight. He was subsequently court-martialled after the battle, jailed for a year, and discharged with ignominy.

When Charlie Company fell back from the central hinge position, there was nothing between the battalion's mortar platoon and the Chinese. The mortar platoon continued to fire as ordered, its six mortars firing about five thousands bombs at the Chinese in eight hours before retiring as the Chinese closed in. Of the two regiments involved, the KOSB's reported three officers wounded and one missing, seven others ranks killed and 81 wounded. The Royal Leicestershire Regiment sustained nine killed and 58 wounded.

During the 'Gunpowder Plot' battle of Sunday 4th November, Private William Speakman, with the aid of six men from his battalion, organized an attack that held the Chinese attack off. Testimonies from witnesses said Private Speakman was fighting on the ridge top, tossing grenades at the Chinese, as they climbed towards the KOSB's positions. When he ran out of grenades, he ran down to the ration pit, grabbed a new supply of grenades and returned to the ridgeline to resume his assault on the Chinese. When a machine gun was knocked out and in danger of being overrun by the Chinese, Speakman organized his men to defend the weapon and prevent the Chinese turning it on the KOSB. His action gave his company time to withdraw to safety.

For a more in-depth look at Victoria Cross winners through out the ages please take time to a look at Mike Chapman's site the Victoria Cross Reference, by clicking on the banner on the right.  Mike has published a page on Bill Speakmans VC

"A heavy counterattack was expected. On the morning of November 4 1951, shell fire stiffened up very considerably and about 4 o'clock in the afternoon turned into a really major barrage, one of the heaviest of the Korean war- 6,000 shells per hour, followed by the classical infantry assault: attacked with the point by a full division, about 6,000 men."

"The attack first overran 8 Platoon and then swung on to 9 Platoon. Eventually 'C' Company, after very gallant fighting, was overrun. That left 'D' and 'B' Companies on the wings."

"They put up a most gallant and distinguished resistance. It was here Speakman won his V.C. They were fighting back with beer bottles and everything. They held a full divisional attack with very serious casualties. It was a very major battle."

"***** left his rifle, grenades and equipment behind. After an interval he arrived in Lieut. Pateman's trench. Pateman was single-handed and using a Bren gun. ***** lay down in the trench."

"Pateman will tell you that he ordered him to get up and fight and look for some grenades, but he could not get him up."

Replying to Mr. Philip Niman, defending, Col. Tadman said he had formed the opinion that ***** was not a very good soldier. ***** was superficially wounded on Oct. 3 1951, and returned to the line after about three weeks absence.

Mr. Niman - "Unless you are fighting fit you are no use there (in the line)?"
"No, I had men not 100 per cent fit, but they were fighting."

Mr. Niman asked if he agreed with Brigadier Rawlings, consulting psychiatrist to the Army, that a dullard among men of high intelligence began quickly to feel himself inferior, and from this developed anxiety? "No." replied the Colonel.

"Do you agree that he might soon break down or might malinger?" "I have found that on occasions."

"Broadly speaking any man might break down, granted there are sufficient pre-disposing causes?"
"Yes, Any of us might."

Mr. Niman-"He says you were very kind to him and helped him on that day?"
"I cannot remember. It is possible."

Major Lydon said,"***** was sent to hospital."

Mr. Niman-"Did he come back from hospital three days before this extremely fierce barrage?"
"That is so. I presumed he was pronounced fit."

"Brigadier Martin. When you came back to the Battalion position were the chaps with you bright, average or dullards? Was it only the bright ones who stuck it?"
"It was a cross-section of the company. Some were dumb, some were bright."