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| 14 May 2024 | |
| Written by Ian Mitchell | |
| History |
“This looks familiar”, I thought.
The poster in the Amesbury History Centre's “Beyond Amesbury's Roads” exhibit described the life of James Brindley Nicolson VC, DFC (WH 30-34).
Flying a Hurricane from RAF Boscombe Down, adjoining the town of Amesbury, during 1940 he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for staying with his burning aircraft to engage an enemy machine.
This was the only VC awarded during the Battle of Britain. David Walsh and Anthony Seldon's book Public Schools and the Second World War mention it and the Ironside Cloister at the School has a plaque to his memory.
Nicolson Close in Amesbury is named for him which I was unaware of until I saw the exhibition.
Ian Mitchell (Sc 76-80)
