Crediting 'the luck of the Irish,' Paddy Hemingway said he survived being shot down twice during the battle and twice more during combat in North Africa and Italy.
The last known Battle of Britain pilot, Group Captain John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway DFC celebrated his 105th birthday at the British Embassy in Dublin Ireland. [Courtesy: Royal Air Force]
Key Takeaways:
John Allman “Paddy” Hemingway, the last known surviving fighter pilot from the 1940 Battle of Britain, celebrated his 105th birthday.
During the Battle of Britain, he flew Hawker Hurricanes with the RAF’s No. 85 Squadron and remarkably survived being shot down twice.
Hemingway continued a distinguished military career, serving as an air controller during D-Day and holding various command and staff roles before retiring as an honorary group captain in 1969.
On Wednesday, the last known remaining fighter pilot from the 1940 Battle of Britain celebrated his 105th birthday.
Retired Royal Air Force (RAF) group captain John Allman “Paddy” Hemingway was born in Ireland in 1919. In summer 1940, Hemingway turned 21 while flying Hawker Hurricanes with the RAF’s No. 85 Squadron, led by then squadron commander Peter Townsend.
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