John Hemingway (RAF officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Group Captain
John Hemingway
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Hemingway on his 105th birthday
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| Birth name | John Allman Hemingway |
| Born | 17 July 1919 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 17 March 2025 (aged 105) Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Service years | 1938–1969 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Service number | 40702 |
| Unit | No. 85 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held | RAF Leconfield No. 43 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Air Efficiency Award |
Group Captain John Allman Hemingway, known as Paddy Hemingway, was a brave Irish fighter pilot. He served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He took part in major battles like the Battle of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain. He also fought in the Allied invasion of Italy and the Invasion of Normandy.
Paddy Hemingway was shot down four times during the war. He was the very last surviving airman from the famous Battle of Britain. He lived to be 105 years old, passing away on March 17, 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Hemingway was born in Dublin, Ireland, on July 17, 1919. His family belonged to the Church of Ireland. As a young boy, he attended St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir School. Later, he studied at St Andrew's College, Dublin.
Joining the Royal Air Force
Hemingway joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) on March 7, 1938. This was a special type of service for a short time. In January 1939, he began his training in Brough, England. By March 1939, he was officially a pilot officer.
Flying in World War II
When the Second World War began in early 1940, Hemingway was flying Hurricanes. He was part of No. 85 Squadron RAF in France. On May 10, he shot down a German Heinkel He 111 plane. The next day, he destroyed a Dornier Do 17 but his own plane was damaged. He had to land near Maastricht.
The British Army helped him get to Lille-Seclin. He returned to England two days later. During the Battle of Dunkirk, he flew missions to support the troops. These flights were over the English Channel.
Battle of Britain Hero
After Dunkirk, Hemingway served with No. 253 Squadron RAF in England. He then returned to No. 85 Squadron in June 1940. He became a key pilot in the Battle of Britain, which lasted from July to October 1940.
On August 18, his Hurricane was damaged over the Thames Estuary. He had to parachute out of his plane. Just eight days later, on August 26, he was shot down again over Eastchurch. This made him the first pilot from his squadron to be shot down over Britain. Five days later, he damaged a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 plane.
On September 3, 1940, he was promoted to flying officer. Later that month, he had to make a forced landing because of bad weather.
Surviving a Parachute Failure
In 1941, his squadron started using Havoc II night-fighter planes. On May 13, 1941, Hemingway was flying one of these planes. Its instruments stopped working in bad weather. He tried to parachute out at a low height. His right hand hit the plane's tail, breaking two fingers.
Even with a broken hand, he managed to pull his parachute cord with his other hand. But the parachute didn't open all the way! Luckily, a tree broke his fall, and he landed in a soft pile of farm waste. He survived, but his ankles were injured. For his bravery, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Later War Service
After his injuries, Hemingway was given lighter duties for several months. He served in different roles, including as an air traffic controller during the Invasion of Normandy. From April to December 1945, he led No. 43 Squadron RAF. This squadron flew Spitfire planes in Italy. During this time, Hemingway was shot down for a fourth time.
Post-War Career
After the Second World War ended, Hemingway stayed in the RAF. He was sent to the Middle East. He continued to be promoted, becoming a flight lieutenant in 1946 and a squadron leader in 1948. In 1954, he became a wing commander.
Hemingway later commanded RAF Leconfield, an air force base. He also worked for NATO in France. His final role was at the Air Ministry. He was promoted to group captain on January 1, 1969, and retired from the RAF on September 12, 1969.
Life After the RAF
John Hemingway married Bridget, and they had three children. Bridget passed away in 1998. Hemingway lived in Canada for a few years. He returned to Ireland in 2011.
By July 2018, he was one of only nine surviving members of "The Few" – the pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain. In 2019, he celebrated his 100th birthday while living in a nursing home near Dublin. When another pilot, William Clark, died in May 2020, Hemingway became the very last surviving airman of the Battle of Britain.
In 2024, to mark his 105th birthday, Hemingway helped unveil a series of portraits. These paintings, called The Last of the Few, were by artist Dan Llywelyn Hall. They were shown at the British Embassy in Dublin.
In June 2024, Hemingway had a special meeting in Dublin. He met the daughter of a young Italian girl who he believed saved his life in 1945. After he was shot down near Ferrara, Italy, this girl had hidden him from German soldiers. Hemingway and his family had searched for her, and the meeting was a happy reunion.
Passing of a Hero
John Hemingway passed away on March 17, 2025, at the age of 105. The Royal Air Force called his death "the end of an era." Important figures like British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales honored him. The Coldstream Guards even played music outside Buckingham Palace to remember him.
See also
- Reinhard Hardegen, last surviving German U-boat commander, also died aged 105
