Irish pilot who fought in Battle of Britain turns 101
AN Irish airman who survived the Battle of Britain has celebrated his 101st birthday.
The last surviving member of ‘The Few’ – the airmen who won the Battle of Britain – has praised the ‘true professionals’ who helped Britain prevail against Nazi Germany in 1940.
Group Captain John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway is now 101 years old, and regards himself as ‘a lucky Irishman’, having survived multiple dog fights during the war.
The Battle of Britain was fought between July and October 1940 by about 3,000 RAF aircrew – 544 aviators lost their lives in the conflict.
Cpt Hemingway was born in Dublin on July 17, 1919. He was granted an RAF short service commission on March 7, 1939, and posted to 85 Squadron in Debden, Essex, flying Hurricane aeroplanes, staying with them throughout the Battle of Britain. During the war he destroyed or severely damaged seven enemy aircraft and was shot down himself several times.
He now lives in Co. Wicklow where he recently celebrated his 101st birthday.
Cpt Hemingway said: ‘There is no doubt in my mind we should applaud all those who fought during those difficult months, not just the pilots.’