Posted on 05/17/2020 4:03:49 PM PDT by bitt
Dubliner John Hemingway (100) fought in the Battle of Britain
Irishman John Hemingway is now the last of the second World War Few who fought in the Battle of Britain still alive.
It follows the death in a Yorkshire care home of Flight Lieutenant Terry Clark (101) on the eve of the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day on Thursday.
The Few were so called by Britains wartime prime minister Winston Churchill in reference to the 3,000 men from the Royal Air Force (RAF) who repulsed the German Luftwaffe during the summer and autumn of 1940 and prevented a Nazi invasion of Britain.
Mr Churchills paid tribute to them in his much quoted speech in August 1940 in which he stated: Never in the field of human conflict was so much been owed by so many to so few.
The RAF Benevolent Fund controller Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot confirmed to the the BBC that Mr Hemingway is now the last surviving member of The Few.
Mr Hemingway (100) lives in a nursing home in Foxrock, Co Dublin. He was informed yesterday of the death of Mr Clark and that he is now the last survivor of the Few. He expressed his condolences to Mr Clarks family.
Born in St Kevins Gardens in Dartry on July 17th, 1919, Mr Hemingway attended St Patricks Cathedral Choir School where he was an unsuccessful choirboy. He later attended St Andrews College, then located on St Stephens Green.
After being accepted into the RAF, he began training in Brough, Yorkshire, in January 1939. Having completed flight training school, Pilot Officer Mr Hemingway was posted to No. 85 Squadron in Debden, flying Hurricanes.
(Excerpt) Read more at irishtimes.com ...
Something England will never see again as it stumbles into it's Islamic State future...
The Republic of Ireland remained officially neutral during World War II. That did not stop a lot of Irish citizens from enlisting in the British armed forces.
Loved that series. Great book too.
Luftwaffe fighters could remain over England for only about thirty minutes. The battle was already half lost for them.
And the RAF made very good use of the new technology of radar.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother...
Many respectful regards to these men.
Yes, because of radar the British squadrons could stay on the ground until the Germans approached, which gave them even more of a time advantage.
The Pluck O' the Irish!
God bless him.
Leni
Wow, only 1 Battle of Britain vet left.
Im impressed that there’s one still left.
Even if you survive being in a war, it usually kills you off.
I wonder if there are any on the German side.
Been watching this British show on PBS, “World on Fire” set in World War 2, quality program. Shellshock comes up a lot.
I’m trying to google it, not having any luck.
True that.
:(
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