Buckingham Palace guards pay tribute to Battle of Britain pilot after Prince William's emotional message

WATCH HERE: Buckingham Palace guards paid tribute to the last known Battle of Britain pilot

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Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 19/03/2025

- 13:55

The veteran died on March 17 at the age of 105

Buckingham Palace guards have paid tribute to the last known Battle of Britain pilot by performing two musical tracks during the Changing of the Guard on Wednesday.

The Band of the Coldstream Guards played the Battle of Britain March and the Royal Air Force March in honour of John "Paddy" Hemingway.


The veteran died on March 17 at the age of 105.

The Royal Family posted a short video on their social media, in which the band can be seen playing the tracks.

John "Paddy" Hemingway

Buckingham Palace guards have paid tribute to the last known Battle of Britain pilot by performing two musical tracks during the Changing the Guard on Wednesday

PA/Getty

The "Royal Air Force March Past" is the official march of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and is used in some other Commonwealth air forces.

The original score was completed by Walford Davies in 1918 for the new RAF.

It is the latest tribute from the Royal Family and follows Prince William's emotional message in which he expressed his "sadness".

The Prince of Wales, who has served in the RAF, wrote: "I was sad to hear about the passing of John 'Paddy' Hemingway this morning, the last of 'The Few'.

The Band of the Coldstream Guards

The Band of the Coldstream Guards played the Battle of Britain March and the Royal Air Force March in honour of John "Paddy" Hemingway

Getty

The prince continued: "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."

Hemingway, who was born in Dublin in 1919, enlisted in the RAF in 1938 and soon became one of the young pilots who fought in the Battle of France.

\u200bJohn 'Paddy' Hemingway

John 'Paddy' Hemingway died on March 17 aged 105

PA

He was among the men known as "The Few", coined by Winston Churchill to describe Britain's Battle of Britain pilots two years later.

The veteran passed away at a care home in the Irish capital on St Patrick's Day.

The 105-year-old retired from the RAF in 1969 as a Group Captain.