World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award on November 15, 1940 for his actions as a flight lieutenant with the Number 249 Squadron, British Royal Air Force (RAF) on August 16, 1940, in the sky near Southhampton, England during the Battle of Britain. He joined the RAF in 1936 and after his training he was assigned to the he joined Number 72 Squadron 1937 and later moved to Number 249 Squadron in 1940. On August 16, 1940, having taken off from RAF Boscombe Down, his Hawkeye Hurricane aircraft was attacked by a German Messerschmitt Bf 110 aircraft, when he performed the deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Following his recovery, he returned to duty in September 1941 and the following year, he was assigned to British India. Between August 1943 and August 1944 he was the commander of the Number 27 Squadron stationed in Burma. He was killed when an RAF Liberator in which he was flying as an observer caught fire and crashed into the Bay of Bengal. His body was not recovered. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "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." He was the only member of the RAF Command and Battle of Britain participant to be so honored. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the British Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon, England.