Fighter Command’s only VC

On 16 August 1940, James Nicolson’s Hurricane was damaged in a surprise attack over Southampton.

He was wounded in his left foot and left with a perspex spllinter through his left eyelid, but as he prepared to bail out he saw a Bf 110 ahead of him.
Despite his injuries and the fact that his cockpit was by now a mass of flames, Nicolson slid back into his seat and fired at the enemy aircraft and continued firing until the enemy plane dived away to destruction.
He eventually abandoned the aircraft, but was a further injured he was shot at by the British Home Guard and hit.

He was presented with the VC by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on 5 November.
Nicolson was the only Battle of Britain pilot and the only pilot of RAF Fighter Command to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon @RAFMUSEUM
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