Tributes have been pouring in as the last surviving pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain, Group Captain John “Paddy” Hemingway, has died aged 105.

Hemingway was born in Dublin in 1919 and was enlisted into the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1938 and soon became one of the young pilots who fought in the Battle of France.

Two years after enlisting, he was among the men known as “The Few”, coined by Winston Churchill to describe Britain’s Battle of Britain pilots.

Last surviving Battle of Britain pilot dies 

Hemmingway with his son Brian and daughter Susan Hemmingway with his son Brian and daughter Susan (Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was saddened to hear of Hemingway’s death, sharing: "Eighty years ago, the courage and determination of Paddy and all our brave RAF pilots helped bring an end to the Second World War."

Adding: "He never considered himself a hero and often referred to himself as the ‘Lucky Irishman’, a man simply doing his job, like so many others of his generation.

"Despite his sacrifice, he would tell stories of the joyous memories he made and moments he shared with his peers, many of whom never returned home.

"Their sense of duty and service secured our freedom, and we shall never forget them."

In 1940, Hemingway was recorded as destroying a German airliner and the following day he downed a German Luftwaffe plane, but his Hurricane fighter was hit by anti-aircraft fire and he had to make a forced landing.

Hemmingway was enlisted in 1938.Hemmingway was enlisted in 1938. (Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

He then became one of the frontline members of 11 Group’s response to daily attacks by German aircraft, which went on to be known as the Battle of Britain.

Hemingway’s logbook records up to five daily sorties he and the other pilots undertook in defence of the UK.

In August 1940, amid intense dogfights, he was forced to bail out of his Hurricanes twice, landing once in the sea off the Essex coast and the other time in marshland.

On July 1 1941, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and in September that year, he was mentioned in despatches by senior officers.

Tributes have been shared to the late pilot.Tributes have been shared to the late pilot. (Image: Royal Air Force)

Hemingway went on to serve as an air fighter controller during D-Day operations, and in 1945 he joined the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces with 324 Wing.

His son Brian told the Daily Mail his father had been “in fighting form” at his Dublin care home in recent years.

“He never felt that there was anything special about him. He thought the special ones were the friends who never returned. And now he is back with his squadron,” he said.

“It is very sad but his is a life to be both celebrated and mourned.”

Hemingway was stationed in Italy towards the end of the war and commanded 43 Squadron. During this period, he was forced to bail out for a fourth time.

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While attacking enemy forces near Ravenna in April 1945, his Spitfire was hit multiple times by anti-aircraft fire.

He parachuted into enemy territory and managed to contact local partisans who helped him return to his squadron.

In 1966, he became Officer Commanding RAF Leconfield and eventually attained the rank of Group Captain.