A man with a keen sense of humour and fun, he was 
an enthusiastic actor with the Lytton Players in Stevenage. He was also a self-taught musician, playing the piano, clarinet and accordion to a high standard. During his time in the desert, he had found an abandoned accordion, which he kept. Many years later he had it serviced when one pound of North African sand was recovered from its workings.
During his time in Stevenage he became a Justice of the Peace and was president of the local Rotary Club.
When he retired in the early 1990s he moved to Cumbria where he played the organ in the Eden churches and was active on the golf course into his 90s.
He made several visits to the island of Vis where 
the locals treated him as a hero. His last visit was in May 2011 when he joined other veterans and he laid a wreath on the RAF memorial.
Nicoll was a devoted member of the 6 and 208 Squadron Associations and rarely missed an annual reunion, travelling to attend from Carlisle to London until a few years ago. On his 100th birthday, he was given an honour guard by members of the current 6 Squadron as a Spitfire and a Mustang flew over his home.
Freddie Nicoll died on May 14. He married his wife Doreen, a WAAF flight mechanic, in December 1944. She died in 1997. Their son and two daughters, and Ruth, his companion of 21 years, survive him.
Freddie’s passing was also noted on the Six Squadron Association’s Website
which can be accessed at this link (opens in a new page):
