John Cruickshank

John Alexander Cruickshank
Born	(1920-05-20) May 20, 1920 Aberdeen, Scotland
Occupation(s)	Banker, Royal Air Force officer
Years active	1939–1946 (military), until 1977 (banking)
Known for	Recipient of the Victoria Cross for sinking a German U-boat during World War II

John Alexander Cruickshank (born 20 May 1920) is a Scottish ex-banker and former Royal Air Force officer, distinguished as a recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC) during the Second World War. This prestigious British and Commonwealth decoration was awarded to him for sinking a German U-boat and safely landing his heavily damaged aircraft despite sustaining serious injuries. He remains the last surviving VC awardee from the Second World War.

Early life

Cruickshank was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and received his education at the Royal High School, Aberdeen Grammar School, and Daniel Stewart's College. He undertook an apprenticeship with the Commercial Bank of Scotland located in Edinburgh.

Military service

Following his father’s advice, Cruickshank enlisted in the Territorial Army in May 1939, initially serving with the Royal Artillery until mid-1941 before transferring to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. His pilot training took place in Canada and the United States, culminating in earning his wings in July 1942. Commissioned as a pilot officer, he advanced to the rank of flying officer by January 1943. He was posted to No. 210 Squadron RAF, operating Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats from RAF Sullom Voe in Shetland.

On 17 July 1944, while on patrol safeguarding the British Home Fleet following Operation Mascot against the German battleship Tirpitz, Cruickshank discovered and engaged a German Type VIIC U-boat on the surface. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire that resulted in the death of his navigator and severe injuries to himself and other crew members, he succeeded in sinking the submarine—later identified as U-361—using depth charges during a second attack run.

Cruickshank suffered seventy-two wounds, including damage to his lungs and penetrating leg injuries. He declined morphine to remain alert, ensured radio communications were maintained, and piloted the damaged Catalina for over five and a half hours. After briefly handing control to an injured co-pilot, he resumed command to carry out a controlled water landing and beaching of the aircraft.

He required blood transfusions before being transferred to hospital and did not fly again. In recognition of his bravery, Cruickshank was awarded the Victoria Cross; Flight Sergeant Jack Garnett received the Distinguished Flying Medal. Later that month, Cruickshank was promoted to flight lieutenant.

Victoria Cross citation

The official announcement and citation appeared in a supplement to The London Gazette, stating:

Later life

After leaving the RAF in September 1946, Cruickshank returned to banking, retiring in 1977. In March 2004, he attended the unveiling of the first national monument dedicated to Coastal Command at Westminster Abbey, London. Reflecting on receiving the VC, he commented, "When they told me that I was to get the VC it was unbelievable. Decorations didn't enter my head." During wartime Coastal Command earned four Victoria Crosses; Cruickshank’s was one of only two awarded to living recipients.

He held the position of vice chairman of The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association and celebrated his 100th birthday on 20 May 2020, becoming not only the first Victoria Cross holder to reach this milestone but also only the second member of the VC and GC Association to do so after Stuart Archer.

In March 2024, he was presented with the Air Efficiency Award during a private visit by Group Captain (retd) Kemp from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Subsequent research confirmed that this medal should have been granted over seven decades earlier.

Awards

(ribbon bar as displayed currently)

• Victoria Cross
• 1939–1945 Star
• Atlantic Star
• Arctic Star
• Defence Medal
• War Medal 1939–1945
• Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)
• Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
• Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2022)
• King Charles III Coronation Medal (2023)
• Efficiency Medal (1949)
• Air Efficiency Award

From the time of the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937, recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross who are still living automatically qualify for any future coronation and jubilee medals issued after their original awards.

References

Specific

General

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
• Symbol of Courage: A History of the Victoria Cross (Max Arthur, 2004)
• For Valour: The Air VCs (Chaz Bowyer, 1992)

External links

• U-361 (information about the U-boat involved in this engagement)