The last surviving pilot from the historic Battle of Britain, John “Paddy” Hemingway, has passed away at the age of 105, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF) announced on Monday.
Hemingway, a veteran fighter pilot during World War II, was part of “The Few”—a term coined by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to honor the RAF pilots who defended Britain against Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe in 1940.
The RAF described his passing as “the end of an era,” marking the loss of the final direct link to one of the most pivotal battles of the war.
Born in Dublin in 1919, Hemingway joined the RAF in 1938. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain, engaging in intense dogfights with German aircraft. During the battle, he was forced to bail out of his Hurricane fighter plane twice—once landing in the sea and another time in marshland.
Despite these harrowing experiences, Hemingway continued to serve, later contributing as an air fighter controller during the D-Day operations in northern France in 1944. In recognition of his bravery, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Tributes poured in following the announcement of his passing. The UK’s Prince William praised Hemingway and his generation for their sacrifices, saying, “We owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today. Their bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also paid tribute, noting that Hemingway never considered himself a hero and often referred to himself as the “Lucky Irishman.” Starmer emphasized that Hemingway’s sense of duty helped secure freedom for future generations.
The RAF remembered him as a “quiet, composed, thoughtful, and mischievous individual” who embodied the spirit of those who fought to protect Britain.
