Last surviving WW2 Victoria Cross recipient dies aged 105

John Cruickshank was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in air action during World War Two

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.

Flt Lt Cruickshank, who was born in 1920, was just 24 when he received the military honour

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.

Flt Lt Cruickshank was praised for setting an example of "determination, fortitude and devotion to duty" when the honour was bestowed on him by King George VI.

He rarely talked about his experiences, saying in 2008: "You don't get involved in that kind of thing thinking of any decorations or any recognition. It was regarded as duty."

In 2013, he was given the opportunity to fly in an aircraft similar to the one he piloted during the war.

Last year, a Catalina flying boat was flown over Flt Lt Cruickshank's home in Aberdeen to mark his 104th birthday.