Many have seen the road sign Nicolson VC , at Nicolson drive. However, few have seen the Medals he won for his undoubted bravery during ww2. Whilst on Combat
Air Patrol over Southampton water, James Brindley Nicolson, was piloting a Hurricane fighter aircraft. He engaged with enemy aggressor, aircraft, and in turn
his hurricane was hit, and the glycol, caught fire.Pressing home his attack, James
then pulled his Cockpit cover open, so burning his hands, he climbed out into the slipstream , and deployed his parachute. From a distance, a Home Guard saw the
parachute hit the ground. With his Lee Enfield .303 rifle he shot James in his buttocks. Following a long spell in Hospital, Flt Lt J B Nicolson VC DFC , returned to flying. Whilst in the Burma Campaign, as a Wing Commander, James was a passenger in a transport aircraft, which was lost over the Bay of Bengal. Muriel his wife, decided to sell the VC and other medals. Their only son had been killed in a Motor accident...The buyers, was the RAF Museum for £50,000, and so the medal was saved for the nation.It was the only VC awarded to a fighter pilot.
