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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 191

The British War Medal awarded to 2nd Lieutenant E. A. Cunningham, an Old Ratcliffian shot down and killed by Major Josef Mai, the German air ace of Jasta 5 on 28 January 1918

British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. E. A. Cunningham.), edge bruising contact wear, nearly very fine

Edward Aloysius Cunningham was born at Dulwich on 6 November 1895and educated at Ratcliffe College, Leicester. Living in Hern Hill on the outbreak of war he was working as a Clerk which may have informed his early decision to enlist in the Army Pay Corps on 8 December 1914. Transferring to 'C' Company, 25th Training Reserve Battalion on 3 November 1916 and he soon applied for a commission on 24 January 1917.

After training he was posted to 11 Squadron as a 2nd Lieutenant (Observer). Flying a close offensive patrol near Cambrai on 28 January 1918 with 2nd Lieutenant J. M. Milne-Henderson as his pilot Cunningham was killed. Of the two British Aircraft claimed by German pilots that day one was shot down by Leutnant Josef Mai and another by Leutnant Frtiz Rumey, both of Jasta 5 and both aces. Cunningham is commemorated upon the Arras Flying Services Memorial; sold together with photographs of the memorial as well as copied research including service records, M.I.C. and an application for commission as well as extracts from Sea Hawks and German Knights of the Air 1914-1918.

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Sold for
£200

Starting price
£30