On 5th November 2020, former Flight Lieutenant John “Freddie” Nicoll DFC, will celebrate his 100th Birthday, and to mark the event, 6 Squadron Association, his former Squadron, have arranged for a flypast by a Spitfire, which will take place on Wednesday 4th November.
Flight Lieutenant Nicoll was born in London, and had an interest in aircraft from an early age. He joined the RAF in May 1941 and after initial training, was sent to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) to commence flying training. Flt Lt Nicoll achieved “above average” assessments and was and sent to Syria to train on the Hurricane aircraft. In September 1942, he was posted to 208 Squadron in North Africa flying the Hurricane Mk II, in the tactical reconnaissance role in the run up to the Battle of El Alamein.
Following a posting to 6 Squadron in October 1943, when they Squadron were converting to the rocket equipped Hurricane Mk IV, he deployed forward with his colleagues to Grottaglie, near Taranto, in Italy, in February 1944. There followed a very busy period operating on anti-shipping duties to disrupt resupply of German forces on the Adriatic and in support of Tito’s partisans along the Dalmatian coast. By now promoted to Flight Lieutenant as a Flight Commander with additional responsibilities, he never missed an opportunity to fly on Operations.
Conducting attacks on shipping, often at night, and in heavy flack, was a very dangerous business and the Squadron suffered heavy losses. On one occasion, having spotted a large transport carrier emblazoned with the swastika, his element leader said, with typical black humour:
“This is worth a posthumous DFC” as they commenced the attack.
On 8th September 1944, Flight Lieutenant Nicoll was indeed awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. By this time, he had completed 58 operational sorties with 6 Squadron, much more than was normal for the time. Having wished to continue, his Commanding Officer refused, telling him to “go home, marry your girlfriend and have lots of little Nicolls”.
Flight Lieutenant Nicoll, DFC, will celebrate his 100th Birthday on Thursday 5 November. Due to COVID, the celebrations have been curtailed, however, 6 Squadron Association have arranged for him to have a flypast by a Spitfire, which will take place on Wednesday 4th November, at his home near Carlisle.
RAF Spadeadam will provide a (socially distanced) Guard of Honour as Flight Lieutenant Nicoll watches the flypast.
Wing Commander Matt Lawrence, Station Commander at RAF Spadeadam said: “Freddie has a long association with RAF Spadeadam, and we are proud to be able to celebrate this milestone with him in some small way, with the current restrictions. I would like to wish Freddie, a very happy birthday, from all at RAF Spadeadam.”
