"Britain's last surviving World War Two Victoria Cross recipient, John Cruickshank, has died aged 105. The flight lieutenant, from Aberdeen, earned the honour for an attack on a German U-Boat while piloting a Catalina flying boat in June 1944. He was the last to die of 181 people who received the country's highest military honour for their actions in the conflict. Flt Lt Cruickshank's family said he died last week and a funeral would be held in private. The veteran was badly injured in the attack on 17 June 1944 while protecting British vessels in the Norwegian Sea. In total, he suffered 72 injuries, including two wounds to his lungs and 10 to his lower limbs. The crew spotted the U-boat ahead of them and went on the offensive with a bombing run during heavy gunfire. However, their bombs did not release, forcing Flt Lt Cruickshank to turn the aircraft around and attack again. On that occasion, he released the bombs himself, successfully destroying the submarine. Navigator John Dickson was killed while his co-pilot and two others members of the crew were seriously injured. Flt Lt Cruickshank refused medical attention after the attack and flew the aircraft back to its base at Sullom Voe in Shetland. He never returned to operational flying and left the RAF in 1946 for a career in banking. He was awarded the Victoria Cross – the highest recognition for valour that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces – on 29 August, 1944." Aberdeen man who was last surviving WW2 Victoria Cross recipient dies aged 105 - BBC News
