‘We shall never forget them’: Prince William pays tribute to last Battle of Britain hero

Prince William has issued a heartfelt tribute following the death of the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot who died at the age of 105.

The Prince of Wales shared the tribute on social media where he paid tribute to John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway who died on St Patrick’s Day at his aged-care home in Dublin.

Taking to X (formally Twitter), Prince William shared his sadness at Hemingway’s passing and recognised his place as the last of “The Few”, the group of Airman who successfully defended Great Britain from the German air force (Luftwaffe) from July through September 1940, following France’s defeat by Nazi Germany.

“We owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today,” the prince wrote.

“Their bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered.

“We shall never forget them.”

The future king then signed off the message with a symbolic W, showing the message came from him directly.

I was sad to hear about the passing of John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway this morning, the last of “The Few”. 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. W

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 18, 2025

Social media users on X were quick to share their own tributes to the veteran pilot with many thankful that their own freedoms were won by men like Hemingway and fellow war heroes.

“Thank you for fighting for our freedom ‘Paddy’ Hemingway. May you Rest In Peace,” one wrote.

“The bravest of the brave heroes because of men like Paddy we have our freedom normal men fighting for our country and other countries to stop the persecution of so many thank you for your service Paddy.”

While another commentated: “John “Paddy” Hemingway, the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain, died at 105, marking the end of an era for the RAF’s WWII heroes who defended Britain against Nazi Germany in 1940.”

Hemingway was 20 years old when he and his comrades in the Royal Air Force took to the skies to fight off unremitting and destructive air raids from the Luftwaffe.

A German air victory would set the stage for an invasion of Great Britain as the German army was then in control of the ports of France only a few kilometers away across the English Channel.

During dog fights with German aircraft, the Royal Air Force (RAF) said the young pilot was twice forced to bail out of his Hurricane fighter, once landing at sea off the east coast of England, before returning to his squadron to resume the fight.

For his feats in the air, Hemmingway was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1941.

-with AP.