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Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls DFC (deceased)
A pre-war RAFVR pilot, in June 1940 Nicholls converted to Hurricanes at 7 OTU, Hawarden. Nicholls flew during the Battle of Britain with 85 and 242 and in September joined 151 Squadron.at Digby On September 30, 1940, he shared in the destruction of a Ju 88 and returned to Digby with his Hurricane P 5182 severely damaged by return fire. Nicholls spent only a brief time with 242 but Bader made a considerable impression. After a hard day Nicholls remembers Bader taking off his legs and dressing the stumps with lotion and talcum powder. Few people realise, Nicholls feels, just how much strain combat flying with artificial legs must have been. Later in the war Nicholls flew Hurricanes with 258 Squadron in the Far East to Seletar airfield, Singapore and flew their first operation on January 31 1942. On February 10 1942 the three surviving Hurricanes of 258 were withdrawn to Palembang with the fifteen surviving pilots, six remained behind to fly with 605 Squadron, with Nicholls being one of the nine evacuated from Java to Ceylon. 258 Squadron was reformed at Ratmalana on March 1 1942 and Nicholls rejoined it. Awarded the DFC (19.5.44) he remained with 258 until August 1944, when he was posted to HQ 224 Group, Burma, as Squadron Leader Tactics. Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls, who has died aged 95, flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain, avoided capture in Java and earned the DFC flying ground attack missions in Burma. Nicholls and his fellow pilots of No 258 Squadron had just arrived in the Middle East as reinforcements in 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbour. It was decided to rush the squadron to Singapore and it embarked on the aircraft carrier Indomitable before sailing for the Far East. On January 28 1942, 22 Hurricanes took off from the carrier and departed on the three-hour flight to Batavia. After refuelling, Nicholls headed for Palembang in the south of Sumatra. During the hazardous crossings, the squadron had lost a quarter of its aircraft before facing the Japanese. Two pilots were soon lost in combat. On February 6, the airfield at Palembang was attacked. Nicholls managed to damage a Japanese bomber but he was attacked by a Zero fighter and was forced to bail out over the jungle 30 miles from his airfield. Nicholls started walking and eventually commandeered a car, but found that his squadron had been forced to evacuate Palembang. When the car ran out of petrol he traded it for a railway ticket to a nearby port where he escaped to Batavia to rejoin his depleted squadron. It was soon decided to withdraw the squadron and leave six pilots to fly the only remaining Hurricanes. Three volunteered to stay and the remainder cut cards, the three drawing the lowest to remain. Nicholls cut a jack, which was high enough for him to join the party to be evacuated. On February 28, just six of the 22 pilots who had arrived a few weeks earlier sailed for Ceylon on an overcrowded boat. Those left behind were either killed or became PoWs for the next three years.
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Items Signed by Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls DFC (deceased) |
| Clipped Signature - Doug Nicholls. Price : £35.00 | Flew Hurricanes with No.85, No.242 and No.151 Sqn during the Battle of Britain. He later served with No.258 Sqn in Singapore and Burma before recieving a Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944. He died in 2015. ...... | |
| Those Valiant Few by Robert Taylor. SOLD OUT | The Battle of Britain commenced at the beginning of June 1940, and for the next two and a half gruelling months the young men of Royal Air Force Fighter Command, duelled with the cream of Goerings Luftwaffe over the skies of southern England. It wa...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Those Valiant Few by Robert Taylor. (AP) SOLD OUT | The Battle of Britain commenced at the beginning of June 1940, and for the next two and a half gruelling months the young men of Royal Air Force Fighter Command, duelled with the cream of Goerings Luftwaffe over the skies of southern England. It wa...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Those Valiant Few by Robert Taylor. (B) SOLD OUT | The Battle of Britain commenced at the beginning of June 1940, and for the next two and a half gruelling months the young men of Royal Air Force Fighter Command, duelled with the cream of Goerings Luftwaffe over the skies of southern England. It wa...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Open Assault by Robert Taylor. (AP) Price : £375.00 | The Junkers Ju87 Sturzkampfbomber, known to the British simply as the Stuka, had already acquired a deadly reputation across Europe, its siren screaming as the ungainly dive-bomber struck terror into the hearts of those below. In 1940 its pilots cro...... |
| Open Assault by Robert Taylor. (B) Price : £250.00 | The Junkers Ju87 Sturzkampfbomber, known to the British simply as the Stuka, had already acquired a deadly reputation across Europe, its siren screaming as the ungainly dive-bomber struck terror into the hearts of those below. In 1940 its pilots cro...... | |
| Open Assault by Robert Taylor. (C) Price : £325.00 | The Junkers Ju87 Sturzkampfbomber, known to the British simply as the Stuka, had already acquired a deadly reputation across Europe, its siren screaming as the ungainly dive-bomber struck terror into the hearts of those below. In 1940 its pilots cro...... | |
| Open Assault by Robert Taylor. (D) SOLD OUT | The Junkers Ju87 Sturzkampfbomber, known to the British simply as the Stuka, had already acquired a deadly reputation across Europe, its siren screaming as the ungainly dive-bomber struck terror into the hearts of those below. In 1940 its pilots cro...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Price : £145.00 | High over London, Hurricanes of 85 Squadron engage Me109s in an intense dogfight during the heavy fighting of August 1940. ...... | |
| Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. (B) Price : £250.00 | High over London, Hurricanes of 85 Squadron engage Me109s in an intense dogfight during the heavy fighting of August 1940. ...... |
| Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. (Y) SOLD OUT | High over London, Hurricanes of 85 Squadron engage Me109s in an intense dogfight during the heavy fighting of August 1940. ...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. Price : £215.00 | The Spitfires of 54 Squadron, quickly scrambled from nearby Hornchurch, clash with the Me109s from 1./JG51 over Kent. Below, Me110s from KPRG210 are about to receive unwelcome attention as the rest of the Spitfires hurtle down upon them and in the ...... | |
| Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. (AP) SOLD OUT | The Spitfires of 54 Squadron, quickly scrambled from nearby Hornchurch, clash with the Me109s from 1./JG51 over Kent. Below, Me110s from KPRG210 are about to receive unwelcome attention as the rest of the Spitfires hurtle down upon them and in the ...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. (B) Price : £295.00 | The Spitfires of 54 Squadron, quickly scrambled from nearby Hornchurch, clash with the Me109s from 1./JG51 over Kent. Below, Me110s from KPRG210 are about to receive unwelcome attention as the rest of the Spitfires hurtle down upon them and in the ...... | |
| Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. (C) SOLD OUT | The Spitfires of 54 Squadron, quickly scrambled from nearby Hornchurch, clash with the Me109s from 1./JG51 over Kent. Below, Me110s from KPRG210 are about to receive unwelcome attention as the rest of the Spitfires hurtle down upon them and in the ...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Bitter Engagement by Robert Taylor. (AP) SOLD OUT | Just after midday on 27 September 1940 one of the bitterest engagements of the Battle of Britain took place in the skies over Kent when the Spitfires of 19 Squadron took on the Bf109s of JG54. In the huge dogfight that ensued, 19 Squadron claimed 8...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Bitter Engagement by Robert Taylor. (B) SOLD OUT | Just after midday on 27 September 1940 one of the bitterest engagements of the Battle of Britain took place in the skies over Kent when the Spitfires of 19 Squadron took on the Bf109s of JG54. In the huge dogfight that ensued, 19 Squadron claimed 8...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Fighter Pilot of the Royal Air Force by Graeme Lothian. (APB) Price : £480.00 | Each of the 20 artist proof remarques features a hand-drawn remarque of a famous WW2 RAF fighter pilot alongside the signatures....... | |
| Fighter Pilot of the Royal Air Force by Graeme Lothian. (APC) Price : £480.00 | Each of the 20 artist proof remarques features a hand-drawn remarque of a famous WW2 RAF fighter pilot alongside the signatures....... | |
| Fighter Pilot of the Royal Air Force by Graeme Lothian. (APD) Price : £320.00 | Each of the 20 artist proof remarques features a hand-drawn remarque of a famous WW2 RAF fighter pilot alongside the signatures....... |
| Fighter Pilot of the Royal Air Force by Graeme Lothian. (APE) Price : £480.00 | Each of the 20 artist proof remarques features a hand-drawn remarque of a famous WW2 RAF fighter pilot alongside the signatures....... | |
| Fighter Pilot of the Royal Air Force by Graeme Lothian. (APF) Price : £480.00 | Each of the 20 artist proof remarques features a hand-drawn remarque of a famous WW2 RAF fighter pilot alongside the signatures....... | |
| Inspiration by John Young. SOLD OUT | Official limited edition print of the 60th Anniversary of the Douglas Bader Foundation. Douglas Bader (D-B) leading Dogsbody Section, 616 Squadron, including Johnnie Johnson (YQ-E) , Cocky Dundas (YO-A) and Jeff West (YQ-H) on his final operational...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Seek and Destroy by Robin Smith. Price : £95.00 | RS8. Seek and Destroy by Robin Smith. ...... | |
At the Going Down of the Sun by Robin Smith. SOLD OUT | Depicting the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, comprising the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane. ...... | NOT AVAILABLE |
Packs with at least one item featuring the signature of Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls DFC (deceased) |
| Pack of 4 Hurricane and Typhoon prints by Gerald Coulson. Pack Price : £500.00 Saving : £350 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Merlins over Malta by Gerald Coulson. Striking Back by Gerald Coulson. Normandy Sunrise by Gerald Coulson. | |
| Hawker Hurricane Fighter Print Pack. Pack Price : £390.00 Saving : £405 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Merlin Roar by Anthony Saunders. (I) Hurricane Patrol by Graeme Lothian. (C) Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Merlins over Malta by Gerald Coulson. Hurricane Mk.IIC by Ivan Berryman. (F) | |
| Gunther Seeger Knights Cross Pilot Signed Aviation Prints. Pack Price : £450.00 Saving : £390 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : High Pursuit by Ivan Berryman. (D) Messerschmitt Country by Nicolas Trudgian Stormclouds Gather by Nicolas Trudgian Open Assault by Robert Taylor. (B) | |
| Flt Lt Richard Jones Aviation Art Tribute Pack. Pack Price : £420.00 Saving : £550 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. High Patrol by Ivan Berryman. (B) In Them We Trust by Ivan Berryman. (C) Combat Over Beachy Head by Nicolas Trudgian. (C) Hurricane Mk.IIC by Ivan Berryman. | |
| Pilot Signed Battle of Britain Hurricane Prints. Pack Price : £420.00 Saving : £385 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Moonlight Hunter by Gerald Coulson. Hurricanes Over the Needles by Graeme Lothian (B) Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Hurricane Patrol by Graeme Lothian. (D) Hurricane Mk.IIC by Ivan Berryman. (F) |
| WW2 Hawker Hurricane Aircraft Prints. Pack Price : £300.00 Saving : £250 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Can Openers by David Pentland. (D) Moonlight Hunter by Gerald Coulson. Night Reaper, 4th May 1942 by David Pentland. (E) | |
| WW2 Battle of Britain Hawker Hurricane Aviation Prints. Pack Price : £300.00 Saving : £405 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Return From Combat by Simon Smith. Moonlight Hunter by Gerald Coulson. High Patrol by Ivan Berryman. Hurricane Mk.IIC by Ivan Berryman. | |
| Pilot Signed Battle of Britain Hurricane Aircraft Prints. Pack Price : £400.00 Saving : £340 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Close Combat by Ivan Berryman. Moonlight Hunter by Gerald Coulson. Hurricane Mk.IIC by Ivan Berryman. High Patrol by Ivan Berryman. | |
Pack 861. Two Hurricane Aircraft prints by Gerald Coulson. Pack Price : £290.00 Saving : £140 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Merlins over Malta by Gerald Coulson. | ||
Gunther Seeger Signed Battle of Britain Aviation Prints by Nicolas Trudgian and Robert Taylor. Pack Price : £320.00 Saving : £120 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Stormclouds Gather by Nicolas Trudgian Open Assault by Robert Taylor. (B) |
Gunther Seeger Battle of Britain Aviation Art by Ivan Berryman and Robert Taylor. Pack Price : £300.00 Saving : £140 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : High Pursuit by Ivan Berryman. (D) Open Assault by Robert Taylor. (B) | ||
Battle of Britain Aviation Art Prints by Robert Taylor and Ivan Berryman. Pack Price : £270.00 Saving : £185 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. A Day for Heroes by Ivan Berryman. | ||
Flt Lt Richard Jones Signed Aviation Prints by Robert Taylor and Ivan Berryman. Pack Price : £275.00 Saving : £195 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. High Patrol by Ivan Berryman. (B) | ||
Battle of Britain Classic RAF Fighter Prints. Pack Price : £170.00 Saving : £70 | Aviation Print Pack. ...... Titles in this pack : Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. Spitfire Tally-Ho by Geoff Lea. |
Squadrons for : Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls DFC (deceased) | ||
A list of all squadrons known to have been served with by Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls DFC (deceased). A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name. | ||
Squadron | Info | |
Country : UK Founded : 12th June 1918 Fate : Disbanded September 1992 Foy pour devoir - Fidelity unto duty | No.151 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
Country : UK Founded : August 1918 Fate : Disbanded 30th September 1964 Canadian Toujours pret - Always ready | No.242 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
Country : UK Founded : 25th July 1918 Fate : Disbanded 31st December 1945 In medias re - Into the middle of things | No.258 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available. | |
Country : UK Founded : 1st August 1917 Fate : Disbanded 19th December 1975 Noctu diuque venamur - We hunt by day and night | No.85 Sqn RAF No. 85 Squadron was formed on the 1st of August 1917 at Uphaven. Shortly afterwards the squadron moved to Mousehold Heath nea Norwich under the command of Major R A Archer. The squadron transferred to Hounslow in November 1917 and in March 1918 received its new commander Major William Avery Bishop VC, DSO, MC. On 1st April 1918 No.85 Squadron was transferred into the new Royal Air Force and went to France in May1918 flying the Sopwith Dolphin and later SE5A's. 85 Squadron duties were fighter patrols and ground attack sorties over the western front until the end of the war. On 21st June 1918 Major Edward Mannock DSO MC became commanding officer. On the 26th July 1918 during a patrol with Lt DC Inglis over the front line Major Mannock failed to return and on the 18th of July 1919 Major Mannock was awarded a posthumous VC. No. 85 Squadron had 99 victories during their stint on the western front, returning to the UK in February 1919, and being disbanded on the 3rd of July 1919. 85 Squadron was reformed on June 1st, 1938, as part of A Flight of 87 Squadron based at RAF Debden commanded by Flight Lieutenant D E Turner. The squadron started training on the Gloster Gladiator until the 4th of September when Hawker Hurricanes were supplied. On the outbreak of World War Two the squadron moved to Boos as part of the Air Component of the BEF 60th Fighter Wing, and their Hurricanes were given the role to support the squadrons of Bristol Blenheims and Fairey Battles. By 1st November 85 Squadron's Hurricanes were moved to Lille Seclin. 85 Squadron scored its first victory of World War Two when Flight Lieutenant R.H.A. Lee attacked an He111 which crashed into the Channel, exploding on impact while on patrol over the Boulogne area. In May 1940, during the German advance, 85 Squadron were in combat constantly and over an 11 day period the squadron confirmed 90 enemy kills. When their operating airfields were overun the squadron's last remaining three Hurricanes returned to England. The squadron lost 17 pilots (two killed, six wounded and nine missing). During the Battle of Britian the squadron took part in the conflict over southern England and in October the Squadron moved to Yorkshire and were given the new role of night fighter patrols. 85 Squadron continued in the night fighter role for most of the war, with only a brief period as bomber support as part of 100 group. |
Aircraft for : Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls DFC (deceased) | |||
A list of all aircraft associated with Squadron Leader Doug Nicholls DFC (deceased). A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | |||
Squadron | Info | ||
Manufacturer : Hawker Production Began : 1936 Number Built : 14533 | Hurricane Royal Air Force Fighter, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of 320mph, at 18,200 feet and 340mph at 17,500, ceiling of 34,200 and a range of 935 miles. The Hurricane was armed with eight fixed wing mounted .303 browning machine guns in the Mark I and twelve .303 browning's in the MKIIB in the Hurricane MKIIC it had four 20mm cannon. All time classic fighter the Hurricane was designed in 1933-1934, the first prototype flew in June 1936 and a contract for 600 for the Royal Air Force was placed. The first production model flew ion the 12th October 1937 and 111 squadron of the Royal Air Force received the first Hurricanes in January 1938. By the outbreak of World war two the Royal Air Force had 18 operational squadrons of Hurricanes. During the Battle of Britain a total of 1715 Hurricanes took part, (which was more than the rest of the aircraft of the Royal air force put together) and almost 75% of the Victories during the Battle of Britain went to hurricane pilots. The Hawker Hurricane was used in all theatres during World war two, and in many roles. in total 14,533 Hurricanes were built. |
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