A ROSYTH veteran has been recognised with a medal for his service during the Korean War.

Alexander Gillan, 90, of Ramsey Place, spent three years in the country and was this week recognised by the Republic of Korea embassy for his efforts.

“I didn’t realise I could get a medal until I read a piece in the Dunfermline Press about someone else who had one,” he said. “I wrote to them because I served three years in Korea.

“My job was mostly blowing up the tracks to stop supplies reaching the North Korean army.”

In a letter from the embassy, Mr Gillan was praised for the “dedication and sacrifice” he gave in the name of peace and freedom for the people of Korea more than 60 years ago.

It said: “We are profoundly aware that Korea would not be who we are today without your help.

“I enclose the Ambassador for Peace Medal as an expression of our undying gratitude to you and all British veterans of the Korean War.”

It’s not the first time that Mr Gillan has been honoured by a foreign government – in May last year, he was invited to Glasgow to receive a medal and commemorative watch from the consul general of the Russian Federation for the 70th anniversary of the victory in the great patriotic war of 1941-1945.