Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, the last surviving recipient of the Victoria Cross from World War Two, has died at the age of 105, his family confirmed last week. Cruickshank, who hailed from Aberdeen, Scotland, leaves behind a legacy of extraordinary bravery and humility that has inspired generations. His death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in British military history, as he was the final living link among the 181 individuals awarded the United Kingdom’s highest military honor for actions during the Second World War, according to BBC News and The Telegraph.
Cruickshank’s heroic moment came on June 17, 1944, during a perilous mission over the Norwegian Sea. At just 24 years old, piloting a Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat with No 210 Squadron from RAF Sullom Voe in the Shetland Islands, he and his crew were tasked with protecting the British Home Fleet as it returned from an assault on the German battleship Tirpitz. Spotting a German U-boat on the surface near Norway, Cruickshank initiated a bombing run under heavy enemy fire. However, the bombs failed to release on the first pass, forcing him to circle back and make a second, even riskier attack.
On the second attempt, Cruickshank manually released the bombs, successfully sinking the submarine and killing all 52 crew members aboard, as reported by The Daily Mail. But the victory came at a tremendous personal cost. During the attack, Cruickshank sustained 72 injuries, including two wounds to his lungs and ten to his lower limbs. The aircraft was riddled with shrapnel, filled with fumes from exploding shells, and the navigator, John Dickson, was killed. Three other crew members were severely injured, and the plane itself was left in a perilous state.
Despite the severity of his wounds, Cruickshank refused medical attention and painkillers, determined to see his crew safely home. He left the cockpit but continued to advise his second pilot, who had taken over the controls. The return journey to Sullom Voe took five and a half hours, during which Cruickshank lost consciousness multiple times. Even so, he assisted with the difficult landing, which took another hour, ensuring the survival of his remaining crew. According to The Scotsman, his refusal to abandon his post or seek treatment exemplified the “determination, fortitude and devotion to duty” for which he was later praised by King George VI.
After the war, Cruickshank never returned to operational flying. He left the Royal Air Force in 1946, embarking on a career in banking. His post-war life was marked by the same quiet dignity and sense of duty that defined his military service. He worked internationally, establishing a reputation in the financial sector across Asia and Africa before retiring in 1985 and returning to Scotland, as noted by The Telegraph.
Born on May 20, 1920, in Aberdeen, Cruickshank was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and Daniel Stewart’s College in Edinburgh. Before the outbreak of war, he joined the Commercial Bank of Scotland and enlisted as a gunner in the Territorial Army in April 1939. When war broke out, he was mobilized and served in the Royal Artillery before transferring to the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1941. He trained as a pilot in Canada and the United States, earning his wings in July 1942 and joining No 210 Squadron in March 1943. His squadron specialized in submarine-hunting missions, a dangerous and vital role in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Even after his extraordinary act of valor, Cruickshank rarely spoke of his wartime experiences. In a 2008 interview, he reflected, “You don’t get involved in that kind of thing thinking of any decorations or any recognition. It was regarded as duty.” Five years later, in 2013, he offered further insight, telling the BBC, “It was just normal, we were trained to do the job and that was it. I wouldn’t like to say I’m the only one that has an amazing story, there are plenty of other stories coming from that time. It wasn’t that wonderful in those days, I can tell you that. We could only think in those days there were better days to come.”
Cruickshank’s humility and sense of responsibility extended well beyond his military service. For more than 40 years, he lived alone after the death of his wife, making annual pilgrimages to the Shetland Islands to lay a wreath on the grave of his navigator, John Dickson. Close friend Bob Kemp, who flew with him in a Catalina when Cruickshank was nearly 90, described him as “a great RAF icon,” recalling, “He was a very stoic aviator, a lovely person, quite private and a great supporter of many charities including the RAF Benevolent Fund and animal welfare charities. He just wanted to help as many people as he could and had a great sense of humour.”
His remarkable memory and passion for aviation never faded. In 2013, Cruickshank had the chance to fly in an aircraft similar to the one he piloted during the war, and in 2024, at the age of 104, a Catalina flying boat was flown over his Aberdeen home to mark 80 years since he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The BBC reported that his family said he died peacefully last week, and that a private funeral would be held.
Throughout his life, Cruickshank was recognized not just for his wartime heroics but for his steadfast commitment to public service and charity. He served as ADC to the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and was known for his quiet generosity and keen sense of humour. Despite his achievements, he insisted he was simply doing his duty, a sentiment that resonated with many who served alongside him and those who have heard his story since.
With the passing of John Cruickshank, Britain bids farewell to its last living Victoria Cross hero of World War Two—a man whose courage under fire, humility in peace, and dedication to others will be remembered as long as the history of that conflict is told.