From Gulf Daily News Bahrain Friday 2nd August
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Hero dies forgotten by his own country
Sir, THE funeral was held in England this week of a very great aviation pioneer, Mr John Cunningham, who died at the tender age of 84.
He was surrounded by all his De Havilland friends at St' Nicholas Church, Harpenden, Herts.
I was privileged to have worked alongside him for a number of years, particularly during the Comet and Trident development test programmes.
Hatfield was the home of aviation. In those days aviation put Hatfield on the map.
Mr Cunningham, lovingly called Cat's Eyes for his perception of night flying vision during the war years, was the pioneer for today's radar. This facility helped win the Battle of Britain.
He was also ranked as group captain for his unstinting flying during the war when he received three DSOs, two DFCs and the Air Efficiency Award.
He was also Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Hertfordshire
Sadly his own country seemingly could not offer him the award which he truly deserved, an accolade in the form of a knighthood. Many of us tried over the years but it was not to be.
Today these awards are handed out to many lesser mortals, at the drop of a hat.
How ironic it is that the one country - America - who benefitted most from Britain's lead in aviation technology, awarded Mr Cunningham their country's highest award, The Harmon Trophy.
The Head Man, as he was known to his work colleagues, will be sorely missed. He seemed to be immortal to us all and a driving force not seen in today's world.
Yvonne Trueman
The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators
London