As captain of a Catalina flying-boat he destroyed a German U-boat and returned his aircraft to safety despite receiving 72 individual wounds

As captain of a Catalina flying-boat he destroyed a German U-boat and returned his aircraft to safety despite receiving 72 individual wounds

John Cruickshank who hunted submarines as captain of a Catalina flying boat was one of only 181 recipients of highest military decoration

Flight Lieutenant John Cruickshank, from Aberdeen, received the VC for bravery during an attack on an enemy submarine that left him with 72 injuries.

For more than eight decades, his name was synonymous with duty, loyalty, sacrifice, humility and, above all else, courage.