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John Cruickshank, the last surviving recipient of the Victoria Cross from World War Two in Britain, has passed away at the age of 105. Hailing from Aberdeen, he was awarded the prestigious honour for his courageous actions during an attack on a German U-Boat while piloting a Catalina flying boat in June 1944. Of the 181 individuals who were bestowed with the country’s highest military accolade for their bravery during the conflict, he was the final one to pass away.
In the incident that led to his Victoria Cross recognition, Cruickshank sustained severe injuries on June 17, 1944, while defending British vessels in the Norwegian Sea. Despite suffering a total of 72 injuries, including wounds to his lungs and lower limbs, he displayed remarkable heroism. Following an initial unsuccessful bombing run due to bombs not releasing, he turned the aircraft around, releasing the bombs himself on the second attempt, successfully destroying the U-boat.
The attack resulted in Navigator John Dickson’s death and serious injuries to Cruickshank’s co-pilot and two other crew members. Remarkably, despite his injuries, Cruickshank declined medical attention and managed to pilot the aircraft back to Sullom Voe in Shetland. He never returned to operational flying after the incident and later pursued a career in banking upon leaving the RAF in 1946.
Cruickshank was presented with the Victoria Cross on August 29, 1944, at the age of 24, recognizing his outstanding courage and dedication to duty. King George VI commended him for exemplifying “determination, fortitude, and devotion to duty” during the awards ceremony. Known for his modesty, he seldom spoke about his wartime experiences, emphasizing that his actions were driven by a sense of duty rather than a desire for recognition or accolades. In 2013, he had the opportunity to fly in an aircraft reminiscent of the one he piloted during the war, and in 2019, a Catalina flying boat was flown over his Aberdeen home to commemorate his 104th birthday
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