The UK’s Royal Air Force has announced the passing of John “Paddy” Hemingway, the last surviving pilot from the Battle of Britain, at the age of 105. Hemingway, who fought in the pivotal 1940 air battle against Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe, “passed away peacefully” on Monday, marking what the RAF described as “the end of an era.”
Hemingway was one of “The Few,” a term coined by British wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill to honor the pilots who defended Britain. Churchill famously stated, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
Tributes poured in from figures including Prince William and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Prince William expressed gratitude for Hemingway’s service, saying, “We owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today.” Starmer highlighted the crucial role of RAF pilots in securing victory in World War II, noting that Hemingway never saw himself as a hero but as a “Lucky Irishman” simply doing his duty.
Born in Dublin in 1919, Hemingway joined the RAF in 1938. During the Battle of Britain, he shot down a German aircraft but had to make an emergency landing after being hit. He was forced to bail out twice during intense air battles in August 1940, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery.
Later, Hemingway played a key role as an air fighter controller during the 1944 D-Day operations, contributing to the liberation of Europe.
The RAF described him as “quiet, composed, thoughtful, and mischievous,” embodying the spirit of those who fought for Britain. His passing serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by his generation in the fight for freedom.
