James Brindley Nicolson
James Brindley Nicolson | |
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Second World War
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Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Flying Cross |
James Brindley Eric Nicolson, VC, DFC (29 April 1917 – 2 May 1945) was a fighter pilot and wing commander in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, for his actions in August 1940 during the Battle of Britain.[1]
Early life
James Brindley Eric Nicolson was born in
Second World War
Nicolson was 23 years old and a
Victoria Cross citation
The announcement and accompanying citation for the decoration was published in supplement to the London Gazette on 15 November 1940, reading
Air Ministry, 15 November 1940.
The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery : –
Flight Lieutenant James Brindley NICOLSON (39329) – No. 249 Squadron.
During an engagement with the enemy near Southampton on 16th August 1940, Flight Lieutenant Nicolson's aircraft was hit by four cannon shells, two of which wounded him whilst another set fire to the gravity tank. When about to abandon his aircraft owing to flames in the cockpit he sighted an enemy fighter. This he attacked and shot down, although as a result of staying in his burning aircraft he sustained serious burns to his hands, face, neck and legs. Flight Lieutenant Nicolson has always displayed great enthusiasm for air fighting and this incident shows that he possesses courage and determination of a high order. By continuing to engage the enemy after he had been wounded and his aircraft set on fire, he displayed exceptional gallantry and disregard for the safety of his own life.[5]
Fully recovered by September 1941, Nicolson was posted to India in 1942. Between August 1943 and August 1944, he was a squadron leader and commanding officer of No. 27 Squadron, flying Bristol Beaufighters over Burma. During this time, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
As a
Nicolson was the only Battle of Britain pilot and the only pilot of RAF Fighter Command to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, England.
Commemoration
In 2015, the RAF repainted a modern Eurofighter Typhoon jet, ZK349, in Second World War colours, and applied Nicolson's squadron number, GN-A, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.[7]
References
- ^ "Battle of Britain London Monument - F/Lt. J B Nicolson". www.bbm.org.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ Mason, P. D. Nicolson VC 1991 p.2 ISBN 0951304291
- ^ Battle of Britain 1940.
- ^ ISBN 9780850527865.
- ^ "No. 34993". The London Gazette. 15 November 1940. p. 6569.
- ^ "Casualty Details: Nicolson, James Brindley". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ Farmer, Ben (21 May 2015). "Typhoon gets Battle of Britain VC hero's colours to celebrate 'The Few'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
Further reading
- Mason, Peter D. Nicolson VC': the Full and Authorised Biography of James Brindley Nicolson, the only Pilot of Fighter Command in World War II to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Ashford, UK: Geerings, 1991. ISBN 0-9513042-9-1.
External links
- James Brindley Nicolson
- Fl. Lieutenant James Nicolson
- London Gazette (entries).
- Medal Bar of Wing Commander Eric James Brindley Nicolson at the Royal Air Force Museum.