The RAF airman generally thought to be the 'last of the Few', Group Captain John Hemingway DFC, has paid a warm tribute to the Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne.
With an accurate list of those entitled to the Battle of Britain Clasp to the 1939/45 Star unlikely ever to be published, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust is cautious about making such claims, but at 105 it is highly probable that John Hemingway is indeed the last survivor of the brave fliers who saved this country from invasion in 1940.
From his care home in Dublin, he sent the following message to the Trust:
“The National Memorial to the Few at Capel-le-Ferne is a fitting tribute to the men of the Royal Air Force with whom I had the privilege of serving in the Battle of Britain.
“When I think back to the men I flew with in No 85 Squadron, the friends I made during my time in the Royal Air Force and the sacrifices made by so many in the defence of this country, I do so with a sense of pride in what we jointly achieved under the superb leadership of Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding and Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park.”
Group Captain John Hemingway DFC
No 85 Squadron
