The Last of ‘The Few’: RAF Veteran John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway Dies at 105
John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway, the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain, has died at the age of 105, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in British history. Originally from Dublin, Hemingway was one of the brave young pilots who took to the skies to defend Britain against the Luftwaffe in 1940. His death has prompted tributes from across the UK, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledging his “extraordinary courage” and Prince William stating that “we owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today.”
During the Second World War, Hemingway flew in multiple combat zones and survived being shot down four times. He was a Hurricane pilot in No. 85 Squadron, which played a crucial role in the Battle of France before moving to Britain’s air defence. On two occasions in August 1940, he was forced to bail out—once into the sea off Essex and another time into marshland. In a remarkable testament to his resilience, he went on to survive another two crash landings, one in Italy where he evaded capture with the help of locals.
Speaking in 2023, Hemingway downplayed his own heroism, insisting,
“We were just fighting a war which we were trained to fight.”
However, his legacy is deeply intertwined with Winston Churchill’s famous words about “The Few”—a tribute to the airmen who turned the tide against Germany’s air assault.
Hemingway was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery, though his journey to receive the honour from King George VI nearly ended in disaster when his transport plane crashed during takeoff. His wartime experiences highlight not only the dangers pilots faced in the air but also the immense sacrifices made by his generation.
RAF Chief of Air Staff Sir Rich Knighton, who met Hemingway earlier this year, called him an “amazing character” who embodied everything great about the RAF. A statement from the force described him as a “quiet, composed, thoughtful and mischievous” man who “may not have wanted to be the last of The Few, but he represented all those who flew sorties over this green and pleasant land.”
As Britain bids farewell to the last of the Battle of Britain’s airmen, the RAF has emphasised the importance of remembering their sacrifices.
John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway’s remarkable service during the Battle of Britain is documented by the Royal Air Force Museum, which provides further insight into the stories of “The Few” at www.rafmuseum.org.uk.
For more on the legacy of Britain’s wartime heroes, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
[Feature Image Credit: Royal Air Force]
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