RAFCV305: Joint Services Charities Consortium flown FDC commemorating the Pacific Star signed by Flt. Lt. John Cruickshank VC. Born 1920 in Aberdeen, Cruickshank joined the Territorial Army, enlisting in the Royal Artillery in 1939, serving there until the summer of 1941 when he transferred to the RAF. He underwent flight training in Canada and the US, earning his wings in July 1942. After further training, he was assigned to No. 210 Sqn. in March 1943, piloting in Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats. He was 24 years old, and a flying officer in No. 210 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 17 July/18 July 1944 whilst on anti-submarine patrol in the North Atlantic, was attacking a U-boat in a hail of flak shells when one burst inside the aircraft, causing a great deal of damage. One member of the crew was killed and two wounded, and although he too had been hit - it was later found that he had 12 wounds, two serious wounds to his lungs and ten penetrating wounds to his lower limbs - He went in again, releasing his depth charges, which straddled the U-boat perfectly, and it sank. On the hazardous 5 1/2-hour return journey the flying officer several times lost consciousness, but insisted on helping to land the Catalina. He recovered sufficiently to return to administrative duties by December 1944 but did not return to flying command. Cover flown in Hercules C Mk2,XV188