The historic Air Ministry fire bell from the Battle of Britain Fighter Command Air Station, Biggin Hill, sold for £5,760 at Bonhams in London on 29 January 2007. It was bought by a private collector who engaged in a fierce bidding war that pushed the bell’s price ten times beyond the estimate of £400 – 600. The successful bidder, who wishes to remain anonymous, was born in 1935 and lived as a young child in north London during the Second World War. He saw the fighters flying overhead, the gentleman remains ever mindful of the significance of the Battle of Britain and the crucial role it has played in our history.