Nicolson's Hurricane was shot down in the Battle of Britain

Muriel Nicolson, of Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, sold her late husband's VC at auction in 1983 for a then world record of �110,000.

Now the widow of Flight Lieutenant (later Wing Commander) James Brindley Nicolson is hoping to raise another �20,000 to �30,000 by selling logbooks, maps and his uniform at Christie's in London on 2 December.

The VC was awarded to Flt Lt Nicolson for his bravery in combat with a Messerschmitt 110 over Southampton on 16 August 1940.

Shot down

It was the only award of this order to a pilot of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain.

At the time Nicolson was on patrol from Boscombe Down in a Hawker Hurricane.

The entry in his logbook for 16 August reads, "Red leader ops patrol/Shot down 12.55 hrs baled out".

I remember shouting 'I'll teach you some manners, you Hun' Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson

The cool military language conceals the real story of how he remained in his burning aircraft despite serious injuries so that he could shoot down a German aircraft before baling out.

Missing in action

According to the official award citation, he showed "exceptional gallantry and disregard for his own life.

"As a result of staying in his burning aircraft he sustained serious burns to his hands, face, neck and legs."

Nicolson later recalled: "I couldn't see through my left eye for blood and my left heel was shattered. I remember shouting 'I'll teach you some manners, you Hun'."

Nicolson went missing, believed killed, following a flying battle on 2 May 1945.