Peter Hemingway RIP - farewell to the last of "The Few."

 Prince William has led tributes to John “Paddy” Hemingway, the last surviving pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain, after his death aged 105.

The Prince of Wales wrote on social media that he was “sad” to hear about the passing of the last of “The Few”.

He added: “We owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today. Their bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered. We shall never forget them.”


Born in Dublin in 1919, Group Captain Hemingway enlisted in the RAF in 1938 and soon became one of the young pilots who fought in the Battle of France.

Two years later, he was among the men known as “The Few”, a term coined by Winston Churchill to describe Britain’s Battle of Britain pilots.

Chief of RAF Air Staff Sir Rich Knighton passed condolences to Mr Hemingway’s family and friends.

“I am thankful that I was able to meet and spend time with him in Dublin, most recently in January this year,” he said.

“Paddy was an amazing character whose life story embodies all that was and remains great about the Royal Air Force.”


His son Brian told the Daily Mail his father had been “in fighting form” at his Dublin care home in recent years.

“He never felt that there was anything special about him. He thought the special ones were the friends who never returned. And now he is back with his squadron,” he said.

“It is very sad but his is a life to be both celebrated and mourned.”


Mr Hemingway was stationed in Italy towards the end of the war and commanded 43 Squadron. During this period, he was forced to bail out for a fourth time. While attacking enemy forces near Ravenna in April 1945, his Spitfire was hit multiple times by anti-aircraft fire. He parachuted into enemy territory and managed to contact local partisans who helped him return to his squadron.

In 1966, he became Officer Commanding RAF Leconfield and eventually attained the rank of Group Captain.

REST IN PEACE.


Source: Evening Standard, reprinted on MSN here: John 'Paddy' Hemingway dies aged 105: Prince William leads tributes to last surviving Battle of Britain pilot

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