'Cat's Eyes' Cunningham's Medals for auction

"Cunningham rose to national prominence for his role shooting down marauding German planes in the Battle of Britain and destroyed at least 20 enemy aircraft over the course of the war. His success was ascribed at the time to his healthy consumption of carrots, a story used to help boost the popularity of vegetables during wartime rationing. It also helped conceal the real reason for Cunningham’s hit rate – a top-secret new airborne radar system.

Cunningham relied on his re-trained air-gunner Jimmy Rawnsley to operate the system.

Describing the experience the pilot later said: "It would have been easier had the carrots worked. In fact, it was a long, hard grind and very frustrating. It was a struggle to continue flying on instruments at night.

"The essential was teamwork - not just between pilot and radar operator. A night fighter crew was at the top of a pyramid, ground control radar and searchlights at the base, and up there an aircraft with two chaps in it. Unless they were competent and compatible all that great effort was wasted."
Medals of night fighter ace John 'Cat's Eyes' Cunningham to go under the hammer - Telegraph

 

And at least they went towards a good cause.
"Cunningham died aged 84 in 2002 and his impressive collection of medals and flying memorabilia was then handed to the de Havilland Aircraft Company Trust.The trust sold them to raise funds for the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust Appeal and was delighted that the total far exceeded the estimate of 200,000 pounds.
Bentley Priory, in north west London, was the wartime headquarters of fighter command and the trust hopes to create a training centre which will award scholarships to future pilots.
Mark Quayle, head of Spink’s auction rooms in London that sold the lot yesterday, said: 'We are delighted with the result of the sale, which has generated a huge sum of money for such a worthwhile cause.
'We hope that the funds raised will go some way to helping the trust achieve its overall target and encourage those still to donate, to do so.'
Speaking on behalf of the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust Appeal, Brian Burridge, said: 'The trust is hugely grateful to Spink for facilitating this auction, which has generated enormous interest.
'This underscores just how important the Battle of Britain is in our national memory. The creation of a museum and learning centre at Bentley Priory is designed to ensure that this memory never fades."
Medals awarded to World War II air ace who downed at least 20 German bombers in night-time raids sell for record £384,000 | Mail Online