NICOLSON VC
by Richard Taylor
A historic Book & Print Portfolio remembering a unique act of bravery during the Battle of Britain – the first time we've ever seen a published edition featuring an original James Nicolson signature!
After a determined display of courage for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson finally exits his burning 249 Squadron Hurricane after downing a Bf110 over the Solent, 16 August 1940.
On patrol leading a flight of Hurricanes from 249 Squadron to intercept Luftwaffe raiders approaching Southampton, Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson was severely injured when he fell victim to a Bf109. Angry at being caught, but with his aircraft’s engine shot to pieces and petrol tank ablaze, he was battling to exit the doomed machine when he glimpsed a Bf110 about to cross his path. Although the Hurricane’s cockpit was now on fire and the heat intense, he gave chase, got the Bf110 in his sights and opened fire, sending the enemy fighter into a fatal dive. Only then did he manage to bale out, but it would take months for his wounds to recover. It had been Nicolson’s first combat mission, but a memorable one – for his actions that day he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest award for gallantry. He was the only Battle of Britain pilot and the only pilot of RAF Fighter Command to receive that decoration.
His Victoria Cross citation reads:
‘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.
The Veteran's Edition – Book & Print Portfolio
Only TEN copies are available worldwide - each with a total of NINE veteran autographs!
The historical importance of this extremely limited edition is highlighted by the addition of rare ORIGINAL autographs within the conservation matting, including the famous VC recipient depicted and a further seven highly-regarded pilots who flew Hurricanes during that long summer of 1940.
Since 1975 the Military Gallery, Richard's exclusive publisher, has been signing with and collecting original autographs of the very men who took part in the battle. This is however, the very first time the Military Gallery have ever offered Nicolson's signature. He has become possibly the most famous of all pilots to take part in the Battle of Britain and having passed away in May 1945, it's easy to understand why his autograph is so hard to come by and this quantity has taken a number of years to source.
Personally signed by the artist and hand numbered, Richard’s piece has been faithfully reproduced as high-quality giclée fine art prints on archival paper. Alongside is a completely separate portrait of Nicolson, museum-quality reproduction miniature VC and RAF brevet badge, plus a total of EIGHT veteran signatures.
Completing each portfolio is a matching-numbered copy of the book NICOLSON VC – the full and authorised biography by author Peter D Mason who presents a compelling and in-depth account of the popular pilot and leader. Each copy includes an exclusive bookplate signed by one of the most highly-regarded Hurricane pilots to take part in the Battle of Britain, Geoffrey Page.
The full list of signatures reads:
- Wing Commander James Nicolson VC DFC
- Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC* AFC AE
- Group Captain John Peel DSO DFC
- Group Captain Frank Carey CBE DFC** AFC DFM
- Wing Commander Paul Farnes DFM
- Squadron Leader Jocelyn Millard AE
- Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls
- Wing Commander John 'Tim' Elkington
- Wing Commander Geoffrey Page DSO OBE DFC*
- Media:
- Lithograph
- Size:
- 22.75 x 20 inches
- Release Date:
- 4/2025
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