James Brindley Nicolson

James Brindley Eric Nicolson was born in Hampstead, London, on 29 April 1917. Educated at Yardley Court and Tonbridge School, he initially worked as an engineer with Ricardo Engines before joining the Royal Air Force on a short-service commission in 1936. After completing his flying training, he was posted to No. 72 Squadron in August 1937 and later joined the newly reformed No. 249 Squadron as a flight commander in May 1940. (CWGC)

On 16 August 1940, during the Battle of Britain, Flight Lieutenant Nicolson was leading a section of Hawker Hurricanes near Southampton when his aircraft was attacked and struck by four cannon shells. Two shells wounded him, while another set fire to the aircraft’s fuel tank. With flames filling the cockpit, Nicolson prepared to abandon his Hurricane, but at that moment he saw an enemy fighter ahead of him.

Despite his wounds and the rapidly spreading fire, Nicolson returned to his seat and attacked the enemy aircraft. He continued firing until it dived away and was destroyed. Only then did he leave his burning Hurricane and descend by parachute. By remaining in the cockpit, he suffered serious burns to his hands, face, neck and legs, in addition to wounds to his foot and eye. During his descent, he was mistakenly fired upon by members of the Local Defence Volunteers and was wounded again by shotgun pellets. (CWGC)

For his exceptional gallantry and complete disregard for his own safety, Nicolson was awarded the Victoria Cross. The award was announced in the London Gazette on 15 November 1940, and King George VI presented him with the medal at Buckingham Palace ten days later. Nicolson became the only pilot of RAF Fighter Command to receive the Victoria Cross during the Second World War and the only Battle of Britain pilot awarded the decoration. (CWGC)

After a lengthy recovery, Nicolson returned to duty as an instructor before regaining operational flying status. He was posted to India in 1942 and, in August 1943, took command of No. 27 Squadron. Flying Bristol Beaufighters on operations over Burma, he led attacks against Japanese positions, transport routes and river traffic. His leadership and operational service earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944, and he was promoted to Wing Commander. (CWGC)

On 2 May 1945, Nicolson joined a bombing operation as an observer aboard Liberator KH210 of No. 355 Squadron. Approximately 130 miles south of Calcutta, one of the aircraft’s engines caught fire and the Liberator crashed into the Bay of Bengal. Only one of the eleven men aboard survived. Nicolson’s body was never recovered.

Wing Commander James Brindley Nicolson was 28 years old. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, which records the names of Commonwealth airmen who died during operations in Southeast Asia and who have no known grave. His Victoria Cross and other medals are held by the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon. (CWGC)