Britain’s last surviving World War Two Victoria Cross recipient, John Cruickshank, has died aged 105.

The flight lieutenant, from Aberdeen, earned the honour for an attack on a German U-Boat while piloting a Catalina flying boat in June 1944.

He was the last to die of 181 people who received the country’s highest military honour for their actions in the conflict.

Flt Lt Cruickshank’s family said he died last week and a funeral would be held in private.

The veteran was badly injured in the attack on 17 June 1944 while protecting British vessels in the Norwegian Sea.

In total, he suffered 72 injuries, including two wounds to his lungs and 10 to his lower limbs.

On his return to base at Sullom Voe in Shetland he had to be given a blood transfusion before he even left the aircraft.

The crew had spotted the U-boat ahead of them and went on the offensive with a bombing run during heavy gunfire.

However, their bombs did not release, forcing Flt Lt Cruickshank to turn the aircraft around and attack again.

On that occasion, he released the bombs himself, successfully destroying the submarine.

Navigator John Dickson was killed while his co-pilot and two others members of the crew were seriously injured.

He never returned to operational flying and left the RAF in 1946 for a career in banking.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross – the highest recognition for valour that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces – on 29 August, 1944.

Flt Lt Cruickshank was praised for setting an example of “determination, fortitude and devotion to duty” when the honour was bestowed on him by King George VI.

He rarely talked about his experiences, saying in 2008: “You don’t get involved in that kind of thing thinking of any decorations or any recognition. It was regarded as duty.”

Bob Kemp, Flt Lt Cruickshank’s friend of more than 30 years, told BBC Scotland News he was a “great RAF icon”.

“He was a great character,” he said. “I flew with him in the Catalina when he was almost 90 and as soon as he got airborne his recall of the detail of the aircraft came alive.

“He could point out every position of every crew member, where all the first aid kits were stored, where all the machine guns were, the depth charge settings and the engine’s revolutions for take-off etc. His recall was magnificent.

“He was a very stoic aviator, a lovely person, quite private and a great supporter of many charities including the RAF benevolent fund and animal welfare charities.

“He just wanted to help as many people as he could and had a great sense of humour.”

Mr Kemp said Flt Lt Cruickshank lived on his own for more than 40 years since his wife had died and every year travelled to the Shetland Islands to put a wreath on the grave of his navigator John Dixon.

He added: “John was an amazing character, very quiet, but with a terrific sense of humour.”

In 2013, Flt Lt Cruickshank was given the opportunity to fly in an aircraft similar to the one he piloted during the war.

Last year, when he was 104, a Catalina flying boat was flown over Flt Lt Cruickshank’s home in Aberdeen to mark 80 years since he was awarded the Victoria Cross.