Major Redmond Christopher Archer Cunningham MC and Bar, Croix de Guerre (25 December 1916 – 1 December 1999), was one of the most highly decorated Irish officers serving in the British army during World War II and was the only Irishman to receive the Military Cross on D-Day. After the war, 'The Major', as he became known, married and became a successful architect in his home town of Waterford. An unrepentant bon vivant with a nose for a flutter, Cunningham led a colourful life. Early Days Cunningham was born to a large family in the Ballybricken area of Waterford City on Christmas Day in 1916. Brought up in the middle of 15 (13 survived childhood), Cunningham was schooled at the Clongowes Wood College and was named after his godfather John Redmond, the former leader of Ireland's Home Rule party. Cunningham's father was an election agent for the Home Rule party in Waterford and a staunch supporter of its goals. Second World War Yearning for adventure and a change from the parochial monotony that characterised Free State Ireland, Cunningham joined the British Army in 1943 in Belfast. An experienced architectural draughtsman, Cunningham entered the army as a second lieutenant in the 79th Armoured Division of the Royal Engineers. He was immediately sent to Scotland where preparations for D-Day were nearing completion. Under the genial command of Major General P.C Hobart, the 79th Armoured had rethought hitherto customary tank design in preparation for the beachhead onslaught against the German Atlantic Wall in Normandy. With innovative tank designs specifically attuned to short range beach fighting, and new training methods, Hobart's division were soon famed in army circles. His esoteric tanks quickly earned the nickname Hobart's Funnies. Although something of a laughing stock at the time, and refused by the American command, some of the tanks proved quite useful and the beaches where they were deployed suffered fewer casualties than others. After a furtive sojourn to some London pubs with a close friend on the night of 5 June, Cunningham landed in Normandy the next morning as part of the first attack wave. Seasick, cold, and nursing a hangover, Cunningham landed at 07:00 on 'Queen Red' beach, the code name for Ouistreham, with the rest of his unit. Almost immediately seeing his good friend Geofferey Desanges fall, Cunningham threw himself and his tank into battle. His tank was hit within minutes of landing by