(F/O John Hemingway, 85 squadron)
The last surviving fighter pilot from the Battle of Britain, John 'Paddy' Hemingway, has died aged 105.
Flying Officer John Hemingway joined the RAF on a Short Service Commission in March 1938. and, on completion of his training, joined 85 squadron. Little did he know that his squadron would be called upon to bear the brunt of the attack in 1940 and that he would be one of the lucky few to survive.
When Hitler's forces launched their attack on France and the Low countries on 10th May 1940, John and his fellow pilots were one of four Hurricane squadrons called upon to defend the retreating French and British armies.
On this first day of action, Hemingway claimed a He111 destroyed but overall the RAF was struggling against overwhelming numbers of experienced Luftwaffe fighters. During the Battle of France and the Dunkirk evacuation 85 squadron losses were devastating - in less than one month, 14 of its 18 pilots had been killed or wounded.
(85 squadron: Richard 'Dickie' Lee in the centre)
Further reinforcements were added to support surviving members of 85 squadron such as John Hemingway and his friend, Richard 'Dickie' Lee, particularly in preparation for what was to become the potential invasion of Britain itself. Amongst the reinforcements was a new Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Peter Townsend.
On 18th August 1940, a day of heavy losses for the RAF, John Hemingway's Hurricane was badly damaged by return fire from a Ju88 that he was attacking over the Thames Estuary. He baled out and landed in the sea twelve miles east of Clacton but was lucky to be rescued by a nearby ship that was about to give up the search. There was no formal land sea rescue available other than the lifeboat service which was manned by volunteers. John's close friend, Dickie Lee, was less fortunate. He was last seen chasing three Me110s off the east coast and, despite shouts from Peter Townsend to break off and return to base, Dickie Lee was never seen alive again. Like many of the pilots declared 'Missing', Dickie Lee was presumed to have run out of fuel, ditched his Hurricane in the North Sea and went down with his aircraft.
On Monday 26 August, 85 squadron was again in action from their base in Croydon. John Hemingway was scrambled in the afternoon at 4pm and was attacked by Me109s over Eastchurch. Hemingway was shot down but managed to bale out. His Hurricane crashed at Pitsea Marshes. Hemingway recognised that luck was imperative in this battle and it was certainly with him so far. He had been forced to bale out of his aircraft twice in one week. On one occasion, his parachute failed to open properly but his fall had been broken by a tree.
(85 squadron: John Hemingway, far left and Peter Townsend kneeling)
John Hemingway and 85 squadron continued to operate throughout the most damaging time to Fighter Command during mid-late August when pilot losses were at their greatest. However on Monday 2nd September, 85 Squadron finally withdrew to Debden for a much needed rest. Of the eighteen pilots who had flown into Croydon thirteen days before, fourteen had been shot down, a few of them twice. Three had been killed and five wounded or burned. One of those wounded was Sergeant Glendon Booth who was shot down by Me109s near Purley on the squadron's last day of action from Croydon. He baled out with his parachute ablaze, crashed to the ground and broke his back, an arm and a leg. After enduring months of agony, he died on 7th February 1941. Booth had joined 85 Squadron on the 15 July 1940 - he was just 20 years old.
After the war had ended, John Hemingway's son, Brian, said that he often reflected on his experiences. "He believed that there was never anything special about him. He thought that the special ones were the friends who never returned."
John Hemingway continued to serve throughout the Second World War and retired from the RAF as a Group Captain.
John Hemingway, 17th July 1919-17th March 2025, aged 105
Lest we forget.
If you would like to hear more about fighter pilots such as John Hemingway, 'Dickie' Lee and Peter Townsend and others in 85 squadron, why not take part in a tour. Simply visit the website www.thebattleofbritain.co.uk, call 07852 765901 or email anthony@thebattleofbritaintours.co.uk.
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