John "Paddy" Hemingway DFC, the last remaining pilot from the renowned Battle of Britain, passed away peacefully on 17 March 2025 at the age of 105. As one of the esteemed group known as "The Few", Paddy Hemingway holds a revered place in British aviation history, having played a pivotal role in defending the United Kingdom against Nazi aggression during the summer of 1940. His bravery in confronting formidable challenges exemplified his dedication to duty and highlighted the significance of British resilience.
Eighty-five years ago, a nineteen-year-old Pilot Officer from Ireland in the Royal Air Force piloted his Hurricane over France. He provided fighter cover, including strafing attacks, air patrols, and engaging in dogfights, to support the British Expeditionary Force and other allied troops as they withdrew to the beaches of Dunkirk amidst the overwhelming Nazi Blitzkrieg assaults. This event became known as the ‘Battle of France’.
When the invasion of France began in May 1940, Paddy, a pilot with No. 85 Squadron, engaged in intense combat with the Luftwaffe. Over eleven days, the squadron confirmed the destruction of 90 enemy aircraft, with many additional claims unverified. On May 10, Paddy successfully destroyed a He-111, and the following day, he downed a Do-17. However, his Hurricane aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire, necessitating a forced landing. As the German forces advanced, it became evident that the airfields would be overrun, prompting the remaining pilots, aircraft, and crews to return to the UK.
No. 85 Squadron, now led by a new commanding officer, Peter Townsend, became a key front-line squadron within the 11 Group (Fighter Command) during the daily assaults by Nazi aircraft, an engagement that later became known as the "Battle of Britain". Paddy's logbook records, with an almost casual tone, the daily sorties he and his fellow pilots carried out in the defence of the United Kingdom. In August 1940, amidst intense dogfights, Paddy was compelled to bail out of his Hurricane twice, once landing in the sea off the Essex coast and another time in marshland.
By late October 1940, the stress of combat and the loss of fellow soldiers were significantly affecting Paddy. He was especially affected by the death of his close friend, ‘Dickie’ Lee DSO, DFC, in August 1940, later expressing that his greatest regret was the loss of friends.
On 1 July 1941, Paddy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and in September that year, he was Mentioned in Dispatches. His journey to London to receive his DFC from The King began with him escaping from a wrecked Blenheim aircraft which crashed on take-off.
His aircraft-related misfortunes did not end there. In 1941, while serving with No. 85 Squadron at RAF Hunsdon in a Havoc night fighter, Paddy was compelled to bail out at 600 feet due to instrument failure in adverse weather conditions, resulting in a broken hand from the tail section. His parachute did not deploy correctly, but he avoided further injury when it caught on tree branches. In 1945, during his service with the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces in 324 Wing, he was forced to bail out for the fourth time. While engaging enemy forces near Ravenna in April 1945, his Spitfire sustained multiple hits from anti-aircraft fire. He parachuted into enemy territory and successfully contacted Italian partisans, who assisted him in returning to his squadron.
John Allman ‘Paddy’ Hemingway was the last Battle of France and Battle of Britain (last of “The Few”) pilot. He never saw his role in the Battle of Britain as anything other than doing the job he was trained to do. He didn’t see it as an epoch-making moment in the history of the RAF or the United Kingdom.
Paddy always had a twinkle in his eyes as he recalled the fun times with colleagues in France and London. This quiet, composed, thoughtful and mischievous individual may not have wanted to be the last of "The Few", but he embodied the spirit of all those who flew sorties over his green and pleasant homeland. His passing marks the end of an era and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom during World War II.
In a fitting tribute, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton Chief of the Air Staff said “It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway today. I am thankful that I was able to meet and spend time with him in Dublin, most recently in January this year. Paddy was an amazing character whose life story embodies all that was and remains great about the Royal Air Force. In his youth, he travelled from Ireland to join the RAF and following the outbreak of World War II, was assigned to No. 85 Squadron in France, where he is recorded as destroying two enemy aircraft during the Battle for France, as well as flying supporting missions during the Battle of Dunkirk. He eventually retired from the RAF in 1969 as a Group Captain. Throughout his life, he inspired those he knew and served with. My thoughts are with his family and all those who cared for him over the past few years.
"This was a generation who understood the importance of service and comradeship. A generation who believed that with hard work, clarity of purpose and a determination to succeed, they would not lose. Their efforts and the efforts of all our personnel past & present are the bedrock on which the Royal Air Force maintains the security of the UK at home and abroad. Their sense of duty and willingness to put others before themselves should inspire those who will build the next generation Air Force.”
