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Topic Originator: Parboiled
Date: Thu 20 Mar 12:03
John Hemingway, last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, passed away couple of days ago aged 105.
Lived four or five times longer than many of his young colleagues, though he was shot down four times so did enjoy a bit of luck..
Post Edited (Thu 20 Mar 12:05)
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Topic Originator: hurricane_jimmy
Date: Thu 20 Mar 17:31
Will need to read more about this guy.
My Grandfather missed out on being one of "the few" by a few months due to his reserved occupation status but flew from late 1940 on Spitfires (MKs 5, 9, 16 and 22 if I`m not mistaken) and Mosquitos before finishing on Vampires in 1947, going from a Seargent pilot up to a Squadron Leader. He did mention that he also flew the P51 Mustang a few times and the Tempest once, if memory serves correctly. He spent his post-war service training Turks, Iraqis, Iranians and Saudis to fly and apparently he was offered command of his own flying school in India, but rejected it because "India`s too hot and I don`t like spicy food". He only lived until 87 at which time I was 16 but he was still an absolute head case!
Sad to hear that the last BOB veteran is gone, but 105 is an incredible innings!
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Sat 22 Mar 11:43
The debt we owe them is immeasurable- and all those who served then.
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