Royal Air Force, No. 249 Squadron, Service no. 39329
Born: 29th April 1917. Killed in action: 2nd May 1945, aged 28
Story
James was the son of Leslie Gibson Nicolson (1889-1943) and Dorothea Hilda Ellen Brindley (1892-1952), and was born in Hempstead, London. James was employed as an experimental engineer at Sir Henry Ricardo’s Engine Patents, Ltd, Shoreham, West Sussex, but like his father, who joined the RAF in the First World War, James joined the Royal Air Force and began flying training at the de Havilland School of Flying, White Waltham and graduated on 16th November 1936. On 21st December 1936, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. He was posted in July 1937 to Sutton Bridge for gunnery training, and then served with No. 72 Squadron at RAF Church Fenton, North Yorkshire, between August 1937 and May 1940. He was promoted to Flying Officer, 12th May 1939, and on 29 July 1939, James married Muriel Caroline Kendall of Kirby Wharfe, who was a farmer’s daughter. On 15th May 1940, Flying Officer Nicolson was assigned to No. 249 Squadron at RAF Leconfield, East Yorkshire, as an acting flight commander, and then promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 3rd September 1940. Ledsham was particularly interested in his RAF career, as he was a frequent visitor to the village dances, and he used to fly over Ledsham.
James Nicholson was the only Battle of Britain pilot to win the Victoria Cross after shooting down a Messerschmitt 110. At the time his Hawker Hurricane was on fire and he had been hit by shrapnel from a previous attack. His tunic, peppered with burns from the attack is in the museum at RAF Tangmere Museum (pictured above). A personal account of his actions can be heard on Youtube. Due to his injured hand, he was barely able to pull the rip cord of his parachute, and as he was returning to the ground, he was shot in the buttocks by a member of the home guard, who thought he was German. On 15 November 1940, James was awarded the Victoria Cross in recognition of most conspicuous bravery. The citation reads:
“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.”
Following the action of 16th August, Flight Lieutenant Nicolson was hospitalized at the burn unit of Princess Mary’s Hospital, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, and then sent to a convalescent facility at Torquay, Devon. On 12th January 1941, he was promoted to Squadron Leader. Nicolson returned to duty 24th February 1941, with 54 Operational Training Unit. From 21st September 1941 to 16th March 1942, he commanded No. 1459 Flight at RAF Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire. He was next assigned as a staff officer at Headquarters, 293 Wing, Royal Air Force, Alipore, West Bengal, India. After another staff assignment, Squadron Leader Nicolson was given command of 27 Squadron at Agartala, in northeast India. He was promoted to Wing Commander on 11th August 1944 and assigned to 3rd Tactical Air Force Headquarters in the Comilla Cantonment, East Bengal.
Wing Commander James Eric Brindley Nicolson, V.C., D.F.C., died 2nd May 1945, while flying as an observer aboard a No. 355 Squadron Consolidated Liberator B Mk.VI, KH210, “R” (B-24J-85-CF 44-44071). At 2:50am, two engines caught fire, and the bomber, piloted by Squadron Leader G.A. De Souza, RAF, and Flight Sergeant Michael Henry Pullen, Royal Australian Air Force, ditched in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 130 miles south of Calcutta. Of the eleven on board, only Pullen and one of the gunners survived. James’ body was not recovered. His widow Muriel received £212 19s 7d from the RAF, and brought up their young son James Gavin Kendall Nicolson, who was born 22nd September 1940, just one month after his father’s exploits had won him the Victoria Cross. Local papers reported his christening, which was conducted by the Vicar of Ledsham. Muriel passed away in 2005, aged 100, while their son passed away in 1985 aged 44.
Kippax Roll of Honour 