Sir Michael Caine receives medals he won for fighting on the front line in the Korean War 71 years ago

It's no secret that Sir Michael Caine has lived an incredible life.

From appearing in more than 160 films to winning BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Academy Awards, he's been a mainstay in Hollywood for the best part of seven decades.

But before the iconic Cockney actor rose to global fame, he lived a very different life.

Sir Michael grew up in a poor family, and like most men in his generation, found himself being called up to do his National Service in 1952.

The Royal Fusiliers

At the tender age of 19, the youngster was packed off to Germany for training and within just a few months, he was sent to war Korea.

Then named Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, the actor fought on the front line and very nearly lost his life, after he and two men were surrounded by the enemy, he revealed in his memoir What's It All About.

Despite being convinced they were about to die, Caine said he felt no fear, and instead the three of them charged manically at the enemy and miraculously made it back to British lines to tell the tale.

Thankfully, Sir Michael lived to fight another day, and in 1954 he made his safe return to London, where he discovered his family home had been severely damaged by bombing.

He and his family then moved into prefabricated housing in South London, where he joined the neighbourhood youth club and quickly fell in love with the club's drama classes.

The Royal Fusiliers

Last month, celebrating his 90th birthday, the Italian Job star was reminded of his military career, after being presented with the combat medals he won 71 years ago during his time on the front line.

Caine's wife, Lady Shakira, contacted her husband's former regiment, the Royal Fusiliers, through a friend and asked for help to mark the actor's birthday.

With some help from the regimental secretary, Major Mick McCarthy, Lady Shakira decided to send Sir Michael's medals, service record and cap badge to the regiment's headquarters, where they were mounted in a presentation box - which she gave back to her husband on his birthday, the MailOnline reports.

To thank Major Mick and the Royal Fusiliers for their support, Lady Shakira made a donation to charity and sent them an incredible photo of Sir Michael proudly holding his presentation boxes.

In the seven decades that have followed since Sir Michael Caine's military stint, the actor has had a glittering career, starring in hundreds of iconic movies and becoming a household name all over the world.