John Allman “Paddy” Hemingway

John Allman “Paddy” Hemingway was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 17 July 1919. He joined the Royal Air Force on a short-service commission in 1938 and trained as a fighter pilot at a time when war in Europe was becoming increasingly likely.

When Germany invaded France and the Low Countries in May 1940, Hemingway was serving with No. 85 Squadron, flying the Hawker Hurricane. On 10 May he was credited with destroying a Heinkel He 111 bomber, and the following day he shared in the destruction of a Dornier Do 17. During the same action, his Hurricane was struck by anti-aircraft fire near Maastricht, forcing him to make an emergency landing. After being returned by the British Army, he rejoined No. 85 Squadron at Lille-Seclin on 15 May 1940. (Battle of Britain Monument)

Following the evacuation from France, Hemingway returned to operational flying in Britain. During the Battle of Britain he flew Hurricanes with No. 85 Squadron, helping defend Britain against the Luftwaffe.

On 18 August 1940, during one of the fiercest days of the battle, his Hurricane was damaged by defensive fire from a German Junkers Ju 88. Hemingway bailed out over the Thames Estuary, landed in the sea and was rescued by a lightship approximately twelve miles east of Clacton.

Only eight days later, on 26 August, he was shot down again, this time by a Messerschmitt Bf 109 over Eastchurch. He parachuted safely and escaped without injury. On 31 August he was credited with damaging another Bf 109. (Battle of Britain Monument)

His operational sorties during the officially recognized Battle of Britain period qualified him for the Battle of Britain Clasp, worn on the ribbon of his 1939–45 Star. The clasp was awarded to aircrew who flew at least one authorized operational sortie with an accredited Fighter Command unit between 10 July and 31 October 1940. (Battle of Britain Monument)

Hemingway later became a night-fighter pilot with No. 85 Squadron. Flying radar-equipped Havocs, he damaged German Heinkel bombers during operations in May 1941. Following his operational service with No. 85 Squadron, Hemingway was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The award was announced in the London Gazette on 1 July 1941 among decorations granted for gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations. (Battle of Britain Monument)

He subsequently served with No. 1452 Flight, operating Turbinlite aircraft intended to illuminate enemy bombers at night so accompanying fighters could attack them.

During the preparations for the Allied invasion of Normandy, Hemingway served as an air fighter controller, helping coordinate fighter operations in support of the D-Day landings. He later returned to operational flying and, in April 1945, assumed command of No. 43 Squadron in Italy.

On 23 April 1945, while flying a Spitfire over northern Italy, his aircraft was struck by ground fire. Hemingway was once again forced to bail out, making his fourth wartime bailout. He remained in command of No. 43 Squadron until December 1945. (Battle of Britain Monument)

Hemingway continued serving in the Royal Air Force after the war and rose to the rank of Group Captain. He retired from the RAF on 12 September 1969 after more than thirty years of service.

His wartime honours included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Battle of Britain Clasp to the 1939–45 Star, and a Mention in Despatches.

For many years, Hemingway was recognized as the last surviving pilot who had fought in the Battle of Britain. Despite the attention that came with that distinction, he remained modest about his wartime service and repeatedly emphasized the sacrifice of the friends and fellow airmen who had not returned.

Group Captain John “Paddy” Hemingway DFC died peacefully in Dublin on 17 March 2025, St. Patrick’s Day, at the age of 105. The Royal Air Force described him as the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain and paid tribute to his courage, service and enduring example. (Royal Air Force)

With his death, the final living link to the fighter pilots immortalized by Winston Churchill as “the Few” had passed into history.