James Brindley Eric Nicolson was born to Leslie and Dorothea in Hampstead, on 29th April 1917, and was educated at Yardley Court and Tonbridge School.

In 1935, James began work as an engineer at Ricardo Engines, and in 1936 he joined the Royal Air Force. After his training, he joined 72 Sqn in 1937 and later moved to 249 Sqn in 1940.

James was 23 years old and a Flight Lieutenant when, on 16th August 1940 and having taken off from RAF Boscombe Down near Salisbury, his Hurricane was attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf 109. With the engine damaged and the petrol tank on fire, James was struggling to leave the blazing aircraft when he saw another Messerschmitt, managed to get back into the cockpit, and continued firing until the enemy plane dived away and crashed. Not until then did he bail out, and landed safely in a field. However, on his descent, James was fired on by members of the Home Guard, who ignored his cry of being an RAF pilot!

Later that year, James was awarded the Victoria Cross. The announcement and accompanying citation for the decoration was published in supplement to the London Gazette on 15th November 1940

VC Citation: Air Ministry, 15 November 1940. The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery : – Flight Lieutenant James Brindley NICOLSON (39329) – No. 249 Squadron. “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 determination 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.”

In September 1941, James was posted to India in 1942 and between August 1943 and August 1944, he was a Squadron Leader and CO of 27 Sqn, flying Bristol Beaufighters over Burma. During this time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and promoted to Wing Commander.

James Nicolson was killed on 2nd May 1945 when an RAF Liberator from 355 Sqn, in which he was acting as an observer, caught fire and crashed into the Bay of Bengal. His body was never recovered and James is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.

He was the only Battle of Britain pilot and the only pilot of RAF Fighter Command to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War.