"We are sad to learn of the passing of Flight Lieutenant (retired) John Cruickshank, 105. John was the last surviving recipient of the Victoria Cross from World War Two. We thank you for your service." On 17 July 1944, when he was 24 years old, Flt Lt Cruickshank was sent on a patrol to protect the British Home Fleet as it returned from an attack on a German battleship. A U-boat was spotted on the surface near Norway and the aircraft he was captaining and piloting launched an offensive. The first bombs failed to release but Flt Lt Cruickshank repeatedly turned the plane to face enemy fire and returned the attack, sinking the U-boat. Flt Lt Cruickshank sustained 72 injuries including two to his lungs and 10 to his lower limbs. The navigator was killed and three other crew members were severely injured, while the badly damaged aircraft was filled with fumes from exploding shells. The surviving crew members spent five and a half hours flying back to the Shetland Islands.
