The remaining surviving Combat of Britain pilot John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway has died elderly 105.
The Royal Air Power mentioned he kicked the bucket peacefully on Monday.
Paddy Hemingway – one in every of “The Few” and a respected determine in British aviation historical past – performed a key function in protecting the UK in opposition to the Nazis in the summertime of 1940, when he was once simply 19.
“The Few” refers to a speech via Sir Winston Churchill within the Space of Commons in August that yr because the Combat of Britain reached its height.
Praising the efforts of RAF fighter pilots, the wartime high minister mentioned that “by no means within the box of human war was once such a lot owed via such a lot of to so few”.
Symbol: Pic: Royal Air Power
In a web based tribute, the RAF mentioned Hemingway’s squadron shot down 90 enemy plane all through an 11-day length in Would possibly 1940.
In August, he was once two times pressured to bail out of his Typhoon fighter aircraft – and the next yr, he broke his hand in some other bailing out, this time at 183m (600ft) after his aircraft’s tools failed in unhealthy climate.
His parachute didn’t open correctly – however thankfully it stuck at the branches of a tree, sparing him additional harm.
Close to the tip of International Conflict Two, whilst serving within the Mediterranean, he was once pressured to bail out a fourth time close to Ravenna in Italy after his Spitfire was once hit a couple of occasions via anti-aircraft hearth.
Losing into enemy territory, he contacted Italian partisans, who helped him go back to his squadron.
Hemingway by no means noticed his function within the Combat of Britain as anything else as opposed to doing the task he was once skilled to do, the RAF mentioned.
The drive described him as at all times having a “twinkle in his eyes as he recalled the thrill occasions with colleagues in France and London – his braveness within the face of overwhelming odds demonstrated his sense of responsibility and the significance of British resilience”.
Hemingway, the RAF mentioned, was once a “quiet, composed, considerate and mischievous person” who “embodied the spirit of all those that flew sorties over this inexperienced and delightful land”.
In July 1941, he was once awarded the Outstanding Flying Go (DFC) and in September of that yr, he was once Discussed in Dispatches.
High Minister Sir Keir Starmer mentioned: “Very unhappy to listen to of the passing of Crew Captain John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway, the remaining recognized Combat of Britain pilot.
“His braveness, and that of all RAF pilots, helped finish WWII and safe our freedom. We can by no means disregard their bravery and repair.
“Thanks, John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway.”
Defence Secretary John Healey mentioned Hemingway’s technology “understood the significance of freedom and sacrificed such a lot to reach it”.
Air Leader Marshal Sir Wealthy Knighton mentioned the flyer was once “an incredible personality whose existence tale embodies all that was once and stays nice concerning the Royal Air Power”.
