Pilot refused morphine after sinking enemy sub

John Cruickshank was born in Aberdeen in May 1920 but it was at the age of 24 that he completed the act of heroism that for ever enshrined his name in military history.

Mr Cruickshank, then a flying officer, piloted a Catalina anti-submarine flying boat from Sullom Voe in Shetland on July 17, 1944, patrolling north into the Norwegian Sea.

Attacking a U-boat which had been spotted on the surface, his Catalina was hit by “intense and accurate fire” which killed his navigator and injured his second pilot and two other crewmates.

Mr Cruickshank himself was struck in 72 places, receiving two serious wounds to his the lungs and 10 to his lower limbs.

He still managed to release the depth charges himself, perfectly targeting and sinking the submarine.

Though bleeding profusely, Mr Cruickshank then insisted on resuming command until he was satisfied the damaged aircraft was under control, that a course had been set for base and that all the necessary signals had been sent.

He even refused morphine in case it impaired his flying ability, taking more than five hours to safely see the plane home.

The pilot had to be given a blood transfusion before being taken to hospital.

Once assessed by doctors it later became clear that his injuries were such that he would never again fly in command of an aircraft.

He was presented with the Victoria Cross by King George VI in 1944 and left the RAF in 1946 to return to his career in banking.