Prince William has honored the memory of John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway, the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, following his passing.
In a moving message shared on X, the Prince of Wales reflected on John’s remarkable service and the immense gratitude owed to him and his fellow wartime heroes.
“I was sad to hear about the passing of John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway this morning, the last of ‘The Few,'” he wrote. “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.” The message was signed with his initial, ‘W’.
Born in 1919, John was part of The Few—the courageous airmen who defended Britain during the critical air battle of 1940. Originally from Dublin, he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a teenager before World War II and survived multiple crash landings and intense combat missions, earning recognition for his bravery.
Following the Battle of Britain, he continued serving in the RAF throughout the war and later rose to the rank of Wing Commander. In a statement, the RAF confirmed that John passed away peacefully on Monday.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute, acknowledging the vital role Paddy and his fellow RAF pilots played in bringing an end to World War II.
“Eighty years ago, the courage and determination of Paddy and all our brave RAF pilots helped secure victory,” he said. “They fearlessly flew over enemy territory to protect the UK and its Allies, risking their lives.”
Despite his extraordinary service, John never considered himself a hero and often referred to himself as “the Lucky Irishman”—a man simply doing his duty, like so many others of his generation.
“Though he made great sacrifices, he spoke fondly of the joyful moments he shared with his comrades—many of whom never returned home,” Starmer added. “Their sense of duty and service ensured our freedom, and we shall never forget them.”
