Group Captain John “Paddy” Hemingway, the final surviving pilot from the Battle of Britain, has passed away at the age of 105, the Royal Air Force (RAF) confirmed. Hemingway, originally from Dublin, joined the RAF as a teenager before World War II. At 21, he fought as a fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain, a critical three-month campaign in 1940 where RAF pilots defended the UK against the German Luftwaffe.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William paid tribute to Hemingway, praising his courage and that of his fellow pilots for securing victory in WWII and safeguarding freedom. Prince William noted, “We owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today.”
Known as one of “The Few,” a term coined by Winston Churchill, Hemingway’s squadron shot down 90 enemy aircraft in just 11 days during the Battle of France. Throughout the war, he was shot down four times, including twice during dogfights in August 1940, when he bailed out over the sea and marshland. His Hurricane fighter’s wreckage, recovered in 2019, still had its controls set to “fire.”
Hemingway was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in July 1941 for his bravery. Despite his heroics, he remained humble, stating, “We were just fighting a war which we were trained to fight.” His greatest regret was the loss of comrades, particularly Richard “Dickie” Lee in 1940.
Hemingway’s death marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of courage and sacrifice that will forever be remembered.
“END OF AN ERA”
The RAF said that Mr Hemingway’s passing marked “the end of an era and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom during World War II”.
“His courage in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrated his sense of duty and the importance of British resilience.”
Mr Hemingway “always had a twinkle in his eyes as he recalled the fun times with colleagues in France and London”, the statement said.
“This quiet, composed, thoughtful and mischievous individual may not have wanted to be the last of ‘The Few’, but he embodied the spirit of all those who flew sorties over this green and pleasant land,” it added.
Chief of RAF Air Staff Sir Rich Knighton said he had spent time with Mr Hemingway in Dublin earlier this year.
“Paddy was an amazing character whose life story embodies all that was and remains great about the Royal Air Force.”
