John Dering Nettleton was born to John Hannah Nettleton and Ethel Maud (nee Barker) on 28th June 1917 in Nongoma, Natal Province, South Africa, and was educated at Western Province Preparatory School in Cape Town from 1928 to 1930. He served as a naval cadet on the General Botha, a training ship based in Simonstown, and then for 18 months in the South African Merchant Marine.

Commissioned in the RAF in December 1938, John then served with 207, 98 and 185 Sqns before joining 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron, based at RAF Waddington, flying the Handley Page Hampden.

He was Mentioned in Dispatches in September 1940; promoted to Flying Officer in July 1940; Flight Lieutenant in February 1941 and acting Squadron Leader by July.

Later in the year, the squadron took delivery of Lancasters, which were just coming into service.

In 1942, a daylight bombing mission was planned against the MAN U-boat engine plant near Augsburg in Bavaria, which was responsible for the production of half of Germany's U boat engines. It was to be the first major mission flown using the new Lancaster and would be the longest low level penetration raid made during the course of the war.

John was nearing the end of his first tour and was placed in command of the operation which would require the force to fly at a very low level to avoid detection from German radar. The force was to consist of 12 Lancasters – six from John’s 44 Sqn and another six from 97 Sqn -- and to prepare for the raid, the two squadrons were pulled out of the bombing campaign against Germany to practice low level formation flying – a decision which, in some ways, was mirrored by Bomber Command in the Spring of 1943 when preparing for Operation Chastise.  

However, the raid did not go well -- four of the Lancasters from 44 Sqn were shot down over northern France; another was lost over the target and flak defences over Augsburg claimed two more aircraft from 97 Sqn. Only five aircraft returned from the raid, a 58% loss rate.

Aviation historian Robert Owen has described the Augsburg Raid as “one of the most audacious raids ever mounted”. In terms of airmanship, courage, determination and skill, he considers the raid as “one of Bomber Command's best examples”.

And Prime Minister Winston Churchill said : “We must plainly regard the attack of the Lancasters on the U-boat engine factory at Augsburg as an outstanding achievement of the Royal Air Force. Undeterred by heavy losses at the outset, 44 and 97 Squadrons pierced and struck a vital point with deadly precision in broad daylight. Pray convey the thanks of His Majesty’s Government to the officers and men who accomplished this memorial feat of arms in which no life was lost in vain.”

Sir Arthur Harris, C-in-C Bomber Command, recommended John for the Victoria Cross which was gazetted on 24th April 1942.

The award citation read:

“Air Ministry. 28th April, 1942. ROYAL AIR FORCE. The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: — Acting Squadron Leader John B[sic]ering NETTLETON (41452), No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron.

Squadron Leader Nettleton was the leader of one of two formations of six Lancaster heavy bombers detailed to deliver a low-level attack in daylight on the diesel engine factory at Augsburg in Southern Germany on April 17th, 1942. The enterprise was daring, the target of high military importance. To reach it and get back, some 1,000 miles had to be flown over hostile territory. Soon after crossing into enemy territory his formation was engaged by 25 to 30 fighters. A running fight ensued. His rear guns went out of action. One by one the aircraft of his formation were shot down until in the end only his own and one other remained. The fighters were shaken off but the target was still far distant. There was formidable resistance to be faced.

With great spirit and almost defenceless, he held his two remaining aircraft on their perilous course and after a long and arduous flight, mostly at only 50 feet above the ground, he brought them to Augsburg. Here anti-aircraft fire of great intensity and accuracy was encountered. The two aircraft came low over the roof tops. Though fired at from point blank range, they stayed the course to drop their bombs true on the target. The second aircraft, hit by flak, burst into flames and crash-landed. The leading aircraft, though riddled with holes, flew safely back to base, the only one of the six to return.

Squadron Leader Nettleton, who has successfully undertaken many other hazardous operations, displayed unflinching determination as well as leadership and valour of the highest order." 

John was the first South African to win the VC in the war. The Citation did not mention, however, that at the end of the return flight, John’s navigator gave him incorrect bearings. They overflew the UK and were over the Irish Sea before realising the error. Almost out of fuel, they finally landed near Blackpool.

In July 1942, John married Betty Isobel Havelock in Lincoln.

On the night of 12/13 July 1943, Bomber Command sent 295 Lancasters on a raid to Turin in northern Italy, the object being “to encourage the fascist government of Italy to withdraw from the war”. At about 06:30 on the return flight, John was flying in a group of Lancasters which were intercepted by German fighters. Three aircraft were shot down over the Bay of Biscay, while six more were lost without trace. It was later suggested that they had strayed off course and were flying over, or close to, enemy territory when German radar picked them up.

John and his crew were among the lost; their bodies were never recovered, and they are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Following the war, the government of Southern Rhodesia named a new school after Squadron Leader Nettleton: Nettleton Junior School is in Braeside, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (present-day Harare, Zimbabwe).

On 2nd March 1994, a Junior Rank accommodation block named “Nettleton” was formally opened at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire with a commemorative plaque located inside which records John's life and service.