The Prince of Wales has paid a heartfelt tribute to John 'Paddy' Hemingway, the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, following his passing at the age of 105.
In a message shared on X, Prince William said: 'I was sad to hear about the passing of John 'Paddy' Hemingway this morning, the last of 'The Few.' We owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today. Their bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered. We shall never forget them.'
Originally from Dublin, Hemingway joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a teenager before the Second World War. He survived multiple crash landings and went on to rise to the rank of Wing Commander. The RAF confirmed he 'passed away peacefully' on Monday.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute, stating: 'Eighty years ago, the courage and determination of Paddy and all our brave RAF pilots helped bring an end to the Second World War. He never considered himself a hero and often referred to himself as the 'Lucky Irishman', a man simply doing his job. Their sense of duty and service secured our freedom, and we shall never forget them.'
