‘Lucky Paddy’, 100, is the last of The Few
RAF Benevolent Fund controller Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot said: “This news is especially poignant as we remember the bravery and sacrifice of all those who fought for us.”
Steve Teasdale, a friend and aviation artist, said: “He was a true gentleman and a wonderful man. It’s mixed emotions. We have got the flags and bunting out… it’s very difficult. All I can think about is Terry.”
Mr Clark signed up with the Auxiliary Air Force aged 19, a year before the war began, then trained as an air gunner on Hawker Hector biplanes.
He joined 219 Squadron, a night fighter defence unit in Catterick, North Yorkshire, on July 12, 1940 – two days into the Battle of Britain.
Flying aboard Bristol Blenheims and Beaufighters, he joined missions to intercept and destroy German bombers.
In July 1941, aged 22, he was given the DFM for taking down enemy aircraft.
He once recalled: “All we had was a small blanket to keep us warm, but they used to keep us going with six-inch-thick sandwiches as we whiled away the time playing cards.”
The Croydon-born airman left the RAF in 1945 and remained in North Yorkshire after meeting his future wife Margaret. He was
Cyril Dixon Young Terry, top, flew a Blenheim, pictured dropping a bomb. Charles and Camilla, below right, thanked Terry, left, and other Battle of Britain heroes in 2015. Terry is on the left, back row
a fan of events organised by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust and at the 70th anniversary of VE Day, he was among veterans cheered by Prince Charles and other VIP guests at a special Westminster Abbey service.
Two years ago, he was joined by Keith Taylor, commanding officer of RAF Linton-on-Ouse, and members of the Military Wives Choir, for his 99th birthday party at Minster Grange Care Home, York.
Mr Clark, who wore his Battle of Britain tie, commented: “I’m not special. I was just doing my job.”
Mr Clark’s wife Margaret died in 2001. He is survived by their two sons and three grandchildren.
WITH the death of air gunner Terry Clark, Group Captain John “Paddy” Hemingway becomes the last survivor of The Few.
The 100-year-old Irishman was shot down four times – twice in two weeks during the Battle of Britain.
But John said in one interview: “I lived through extraordinary times but I don’t see myself as exceptional in any way. I’m alive because of luck.”
At the start of the war, he was a 20-year-old pilot flying Hawker Hurricane fighters with 85 Squadron at RAF Debden, Essex.
He was sent to Normandy a week later and had immediate success shooting down a Dornier bomber over Belgium.
But on the same day, he was struck by anti-aircraft shells and forced to ditch. He survived by catching rabbits and mice and moved undetected by mingling with a caravan of refugees.
He was back in time for the Battle of Britain and soon after was forced to bale Hurricane again.
Rescued by a sailor in a rowing boat, he was back on duty seven days later.
His third downing happened over Essex, so he managed to bale out, deploy his parachute and land near the town of Pitsea.
In September 1940 out of his the
Dubliner was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross.
But in 1945, John was shot down again after being sent to Ravenna, Italy. Behind enemy lines, he was helped by a sympathetic young local family who gave him farm worker clothes and led him to safety.
John remained in the RAF until the
‘Paddy’ Hemingway, second left, and 85 Squadron at Debden, Essex. The Hurricane pilot was shot down four times. Centre is Group Captain Peter Townsend, who had a romance with Princess Margaret
1969 and, following the death of his wife Bridget, moved into a nursing home outside Dublin.
Two years ago, his death was announced in the Irish media after his name was accidentally left off of a roll call of The Few.
After his nephew corrected the mistake, John joked: “Another lucky escape.”