During an official renaming ceremony, Wing Commander Nicolson’s nephew Jim Nicolson shared an account of the events during the Second World War as his uncle overcame enemy fire, despite being badly burned and injured, before bailing out to safety and landing near the site where Leonardo’s offices are today.
Attendees includes Leonardo employees, local MPs, representatives from the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, Solent Sky Museum, the Royal Air Force (RAF) Association, and the Royal British Legion. AVM Chris Luck, Commandant JSCSC, and Sqn Ldr Christian Hilliker of 27 Squadron RAF – the unit commanded by JB Nicolson VC in Burman – also attended.
This ceremony was one of several initiatives undertaken by Leonardo to mark the RAF’s centenary and the achievements of all those who served during its first 100 years.