Personal info

  • Name: Eric James Brindley NICOLSON
  • D.O.B: 29th Apr, 1917
  • D.O.A: 16th Aug, 1940
  • D.O.D: 2nd May, 1945
  • Award: Victoria Cross
  • Occupation at time of action: Flight Lieutenant, No 249 Squadron, Fighter Command, Royal Air Force
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Sources & Acknowledgements

Over Southampton, Hampshire 16 August 1940

16 August 1940

More details about:
The Second World War 1939 - 40 

Flight Lieutenant E J B Nicolson was awarded the VC for his gallantry during the Battle of Britain when on 16 August 1940 he shot down an enemy fighter near Southampton, while he himself was wounded and his own plane was on fire as a result of previous enemy action.

Citation

 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 detemination 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. 

The London Gazette of 15 November 1940, Numb. 34993, p. 6569

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