James Brindley Nicolson joined the RAF in 1936, and on gaining his wings he was posted to No.72 Squadron based at Church Fenton in Yorkshire. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II the squadron was re-equipped with Spitfires, after operating with Gloster Gladiator biplanes.
Battle of Britain
The early months of the war were spent on convoy protection duties off the East coast; but without the opportunity of engaging in combat. In May 1940 Nicolson was posted as an acting flight commander to No.249 squadron, a newly formed unit operating with Hawker Hurricanes. August 8 was the official first day of the Battle of Britain and in spite of his earlier experience with 72 Sqdrn. Nicolson had yet to engage an enemy aircraft in combat. A similar situation existed with his two wingmen, P/O.M.King and S/Ldr. E. B .King, when on 16 August Nicolson led them on a patrol of the Southampton area.
At 18,000 feet over Southampton the formation was abruptly bounced by a flight of roving Me109s. So sudden was the attack that all three Hurricanes suffered damage. Both P/O.King’s and Nicolson’s Hurricanes were set ablaze; with disastrous consequences for King. He managed to bail out successfully, but as he neared the ground, King was subjected to a volley of small arms fire from over-zealous Home Guardsmen. In their ignorance they presumed that every parachute had a German suspended from it. Unfortunately for King their fire was accurate; so much that his parachute was destroyed and he plunged to his death. S/Ldr. King fared better when he managed to recover from the situation and nurse his badly damaged Hurricane back to base
Ordeal by Fire
Nicolson was in a desperate situation; and with his Hurricane ablaze he was preparing to take to his parachute when an Me110 crossed his path. In spite of his severe burns and wounding Nicolson resumed his place at the controls, opened fire and inflicted terminal damage on the Me110. By then he had suffered extensive burns to his face and hands, and with great difficulty he bailed out of the blazing Hurricane. In the process of landing he suffered wounding from ground troops but fortunately did not share P/O. King’s fate.
Recovery
Nicolson was rushed for immediate surgery and for a time his life hovered in the balance. His convalescence was spent at Torquay and in November he was informed in a telegram from the King that he had been awarded the Victoria Cross, (The first and only V.C. to Fighter Command) Nicolson’s recovery was a slow and painful affair; he never regained total use of his hands but he was equally determined to resume operational flying. His persistence was rewarded with an appointment as C.O. of 538 Sqdrn.; a night fighter unit.
India Command
In August 1943 Nicolson was posted to India Command as C.O. of 27 Sqdrn.; a Beaufighter unit operating from bases in Burma. On his arrival Wing Commander Nicolson became involved in operations and repeatedly reserved the most hazardous missions for his own execution. During that period his efforts were recognised with the award of the DFC.
By April 1945 Nicolson was in charge of flying training at Third Tactical Air Force H.Q., On May 1 he attended a briefing at Bengal for a Liberator raid scheduled for the following morning. Somewhat reluctantly the commander of 335 Sqdrn. allowed Nicolson to fly as an observer on the mission.
Fateful Mission
The Liberator took off at 1. 00 am.; with an estimated return to base at 6.30. When it became overdue an air-sea rescue search was instituted, and in mid-afternoon a Catalina found 2 crew members clinging to the wreckage of a Liberator. According to one of the survivors, an engine caught fire, the bombs were jettisoned but the aircraft was unable to maintain height. Sadly Nicolson was among those who perished; it was a tragic conclusion to a dedicated airman’s career.
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