Eric James Brindley Nicolson
Flight Lieutenant (later Wing Commander), Royal Air Force 249 Squadron
- Register No.
- 931 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Flight Lieutenant (later Wing Commander) (register: Flight Lieutenant) all Flight Lieutenants →
- Unit
- Royal Air Force 249 Squadron (register: No. 249 Squadron RAF) all No. 249 Squadron RAF VCs →
- Date of action
- 16 August 1940 on this day → all of 1940 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- Born
- 29th April 1917 at Hampstead, London
- Died
- 2nd May 1945 at the Bay of Bengal
- Memorial / grave
- The Singapore Memorial
- Medal held by
- the RAF Museum, Hendon, London
Digest of citation
On 16 August 1940 near Southampton, Flight lieutenant Nicolson's Hurricane was fired on by a Messerschmitt 110, injuring the pilot in one eye and one foot. His engine was also damaged and the petrol tank set alight. As he struggled to leave the blazing machine he saw another Messerschmitt, and managing to get back into the bucket seat, pressed the firing button comtinuing firing until the enemy plane dived away to destruction. Not until then did he bale out., and when he landed in a field , he was unable to release his parachute owing to his badly burned hands
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
NICOLSON, Eric James Brindley (Reg No.931)
Flight Lieutenant (later Wing Commander) Royal Air Force 249 Squadron. VC London Gazetted on 15th November 1940 Born on: 29th April 1917 at Hampstead, London.
Died on: 2nd May 1945 at the Bay of Bengal.
Memorial at: The Singapore Memorial. VCs Medal's Custodian is the RAF Museum, Hendon, London.
Digest of Citation reads: On 16 August 1940 near Southampton, Flight lieutenant Nicolson's Hurricane was fired on by a Messerschmitt 110, injuring the pilot in one eye and one foot. His engine was also damaged and the petrol tank set alight. As he struggled to leave the blazing machine he saw another Messerschmitt, and managing to get back into the bucket seat, pressed the firing button comtinuing firing until the enemy plane dived away to destruction. Not until then did he bale out., and when he landed in a field , he was unable to release his parachute owing to his badly burned hands.
Additional information: He was the only fighter pilot to receive the Victoria Cross during the Second World War. He also was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Additional information
He was the only fighter pilot to receive the Victoria Cross during the Second World War. He also was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
VC London Gazetted on 15th November 1940
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: The Singapore Memorial
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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