Born in Dublin in 1919, Mr Hemingway enlisted in the RAF in 1938 and soon became one of the young pilots who fought in the Battle of France.
Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Mr Hemingway, who he said “never considered himself a hero”.
“They fearlessly flew over enemy territory to protect the UK and its Allies, risking their lives.
“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.
Group Captain John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway pictured celebrating his 105th birthday at the British Embassy in Dublin, Ireland (Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Paddy came from a generation who understood the importance of freedom and sacrificed so much to achieve it.
In 1940, Mr 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.
Mr Hemingway’s logbook records up to five daily sorties he and the other pilots undertook in defence of the UK.
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.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton said “Paddy was an amazing character whose life story embodies all that was and remains great about the Royal Air Force.”
While attacking enemy forces near Ravenna in April 1945, his Spitfire was hit multiple times by anti-aircraft fire.
In 1966, he became Officer Commanding RAF Leconfield and eventually attained the rank of Group Captain.
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