The Army's most decorated serving soldier wore his original Victoria Cross for the first time at the service for the First World War generation.

Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry became the first recipient of the VC in over two decades after displaying incredible courage to save the lives of countless of his comrades in Iraq in 2004.

He and Australian VC holder Trooper Mark Donaldson carried the poppy wreath that the Queen laid on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

L/Cpl Beharry, 30, said he stayed up much of last night preparing for today's service, spending six hours cleaning his shoes before polishing his VC and getting his uniform ready.

He said: "Today means so much to me. I'm actually wearing the original medal for the first time - I've worn a replica lots of times, but this is the first time I've actually worn the original."

The soldier took part in last year's Armistice Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London, which was attended by the three last surviving First World War veterans living in Britain.

L/Cpl Beharry accompanied Harry Patch, the last Tommy who fought in the trenches, as he laid a wreath on the monument.

He said today: "After escorting Harry Patch and the two others last year, it's an honour to wear the medal on their behalf today.

"I think it (the service) was amazing. I would like to see many more like this because (with) the current situation today, history is going to repeat itself again."

He added: "The guys who we are remembering today paved the way for people like me. Without them I couldn't be standing here."

L/Cpl Beharry suffered severe wounds to his head, shoulder and back in Iraq and has been told he will not be able to go on operational service again.

"I'm still having treatment, I'm still serving but not actively. I would like to be but unfortunately it won't happen ever again. The injuries are too serious," he said.

He expressed his thoughts for servicemen and women currently serving in Afghanistan.

"I feel for them. As much as I would like to be with them, unfortunately I can't. But my heart is still with them," he said.

"Every time I put on the VC it represents all my colleagues I actually served with in Iraq. I wear it with pride knowing that it represents them because I didn't do it by myself."

Grenada-born L/Cpl Beharry, of the 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, was awarded the VC in 2005 for his bravery during two separate ambushes in Al-Amara, southern Iraq.

He was at the head of a five-vehicle convoy when it came under attack on May 1 2004.

The soldier guided the column through a mile of enemy ground to drop off wounded comrades at great risk to his own safety

Just weeks later, his vehicle was hit by an rocket-propelled grenade round. Despite a severe head wound, he managed to reverse his Warrior to safety.