Picture: RAF

John “Paddy” Hemingway – the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot – has died aged 105.

Dublin born John joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a teenager before World War Two started in 1939.

He was just 21 years old when he fought in the Battle of Britain.

The 1940 conflict was a three-months’ long offensive launched by the German Luftwaffe to control the skies over the UK.

Those who fought were known as “The Few” after a speech by the then Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill.

He said: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Mr Hemingway.

He said his courage, and those of all RAF pilots, had “helped end WWII and secure our freedom”.

The Prince of Wales said:

“We owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today.

“Their bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered”.

An RAF statement said that Mr Hemingway had “passed away peacefully” on Monday.

His squadron shot down 90 enemy planes during an 11-day period in May 1940.

It also provided fighter cover during the Battle of France.

During the war, Group Captain Hemingway was shot down four times.

In July 1941, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross – awarded to RAF personnel for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty while flying on active operations.

Group Captain Hemingway told the BBC in an interview that he never looked for fame for being part of “The Few”.

He added: “I don’t think we ever assumed greatness of any form.

“We were just fighting a war which we were trained to fight.”

The RAF said that Mr Hemingway’s passing marked “the end of an era and a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom during World War II”.

The statement added:

“His courage in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrated his sense of duty and the importance of British resilience.”

“He 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 this green and pleasant land.”