Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 07:52am on 18 Mar 2025,Tuesday International
Group Captain John 'Paddy' Hemingway, the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain, has died peacefully at 105. Serving with the Royal Air Force's 85 Squadron during World War II, Hemingway played a pivotal role in defending the UK against Nazi forces in 1940. Remarkably, he survived being shot down four times and endured multiple crash landings. Born in Dublin in 1919, Hemingway joined the RAF in 1938 and participated in significant wartime events, including the Battle of France and the Dunkirk evacuation. His distinguished career continued post-war, retiring as a group captain in 1969. Leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, have paid tribute to his bravery and contribution to securing freedom.
