Although 32 Victoria Crosses were awarded to RAF airmen during World War Two, just one was given to a Fighter Command pilot. That man was James Nicolson
During the Great War of 1914- 1918 it appeared that airmen were awarded the VC for their high tallies of aerial victories.
Conversely, during World War Two the only RAF fighter pilot to receive the VC didn’t have a ‘kill’ to his name.
Eric James Brindley Nicolson (more commonly known by either his middle name of James or his nickname ‘Nick’) was born in Hampstead, London in 1917 and was educated at Tonbridge School in Kent.
He started a career in engineering in Shoreham, West Sussex in 1935 but a year later he opted to enlist in the RAF. Flying training began at the civilian school at White Waltham, Berkshire that October before Nicolson completed his service training at RAF Ternhill,
Shropshire and joined his first squadron, 72 Sqn, at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire flying the Gloster Gladiator.
A ‘Natural’ Pilot
Nicolson was described as a ‘natural’ pilot with ‘above average’ ability and an extrovert and gregarious nature.
In April 1939 the squadron began to receive its first Supermarine Spitfires and by October the type had replaced the Gladiator in 72 Sqn service.
