Nicolson, James (1898 - 1918)

Lieutenant, 20th Sqdn. Royal Air Force

Buried at Arras Flying Services Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Lieutenant James Nicolson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Nicolson, 22 Viewmount Drive, Maryhill. He was a typical boy at School, keen on play, and not overfond of books, but very apt in those subjects in which his interest was aroused. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts, and was, like his friend Donald Sinclair, a patrol leader in the 82nd (Maryhill) Troop. While keen on games, especially football, craftsmanship of all kinds strongly appealed to him, and he devoted much time to woodcarving and photography.

On leaving School he entered the same business as his father, first in the office and later in the workshop. On the outbreak of war he was one of the first to enlist, and the 10th of August, 1914, saw him in the ranks of the Scottish Rifles. In November of the same year he went with his regiment to France, where he served till December, 1916, when he was invalided home with dysentery.

In August, 1917, he became a Cadet in the Royal Flying Corps, and, after passing through a theoretical course of training, he received his commission, and was sent to Egypt. There he received his practical training, and soon obtained his pilot's certificate. In May, 1918, after a short visit to this country, he proceeded to France, where he joined the 20th Squadron, R.A.F.

On the 23rd September, while on a reconnoitring patrol with five other machines over the German lines, they were attacked by an overwhelming squadron of German planes, and had to retreat. He and his observer noticed that one of their machines in charge of a new pilot was in difficulty, and they turned back to assist. This they did effectively, for the hard-pressed plane reached our lines in safety. Lieutenant Nicolson and his observer were not so fortunate. Their machine was struck by a shell, and crashed from 14,000 feet.

Their after fate is unknown, but doubtless they were both killed, thus, in a very literal sense, laying down their lives for their friends. It is a noble record, and one of which his old School is justly proud.