Nickname(s) Jimmy Service/branch Royal Air Force Name Jimmy Rawnsley | Service number 102089 Allegiance United Kingdom Rank Flight lieutenant | |
Born 16 March 1904
West Kensington, London ( 1904-03-16 ) Battles/wars Second World War
Battle of Britain
Channel Front Awards Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Medal & Bar
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Other work Author of Night Fighter Died February 12, 1965, Chichester, United Kingdom Battles and wars Battle of Britain, Western Front, World War II Unit No. 604 Squadron RAF, No. 85 Squadron RAF | ||
Flight Lieutenant Cecil Frederick "Jimmy" Rawnsley & Bar (16 March 1904 – 12 February 1965) was a Royal Air Force night fighter observer radar operator and gunner during the Second World War. He flew many of his sorties with John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham who was credited with 20 kills, of which 19 were claimed at night, and 17 of which were achieved with Rawnsley.
Contents
Second World War
Rawnsley initially served as an air-gunner but retrained to become a navigator/radar operator and was sent to No. 604 Squadron RAF flying Beaufighters. Using the new airborne interception (AI) equipment (an early form of airborne radar). Using this tracking device at night, Rawnsley was able to guide Cunningham onto targets. Their first confirmed "kill" came on the night of 19 – 20 November, 1940, when they downed a German Junkers Ju-88 bomber over Oxfordshire.
On 4 April, 1941 he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) to which he added a Bar on 23 May of the same year. With mounting success he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 19 September 1941.
In January 1943, Rawnsley transferred to No. 85 Squadron RAF along with Cunningham. They now flew a Mosquito and within the year has downed four more enemy aircraft. On the 26 October 1943, after flying over 200 sorties with Cunningham and having been his radar operator during the downing of 17 enemy planes he was awarded a Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
Memoir
In 1957 Rawnsley published (with Robert Wright) a memoir detailing his wartime career in the book Night Fighter. Covering his partnership with Cunningham, it gives a clear insight into the methods the pair used to find and down enemy aircraft.
Medals and awards
Sergeant Rawnsley has shown great keenness both as an air gunner and radio operator and has materially assisted his pilot to destroy two enemy aircraft.
This airman has continued to display the greatest ability and efficiency as wireless operator. He has assisted his pilot in the destruction of at least 7 enemy aircraft. He has been a splendid inspiration to his fellow operators.
As observer, Flight Lieutenant Rawnsley has participated in more than 200 sorties and his brilliant work is beyond praise. He has assisted in the destruction of 17 enemy aircraft, 16 of them at night. In addition to his work in the Air, Flight Lieutenant Rawnsley has devoted much service towards the training of other members of aircraft and his efforts have been attended with excellent results. Flight Lieutenant Rawnsley has rendered invaluable service.