Searching for The few Part III, England

RAF Hawkinge and the Kent Battle of Britain Museum

Hurricanes Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Paddy Hemingway statue Kent Battle of Britain Museum

John Allman Hemingway was born in Dublin, and joined the RAF before the outbreak of WWII. Group Captain Hemingway flew Hurricanes with No. 85 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain. Accredited with two aerial victories in May 1940, he was himself shot down twice during the Battle. Gp Cpt Hemingway remained with the RAF after the war, retiring in 1969.2

I don’t think we ever assumed greatness of any form…We were doing a job we were employed to do. We just went up and did the best we could…Every day, off you went. When you took off you knew some of you would come back – and some of you wouldn’t…I was shot down many times but I’m still here. So many others were shot down first time and that was the end of them. I was lucky. And I’m still lucky‘. Gpr Cpt John Hemingway3

Paddy Hemingway statue Kent Battle of Britain Museum

Squadron Leader Caesar Barrand Hull was born in Southern Rhodesia, and moved to England to join the RAF in 1935. During the Battle of Britain, he took command of No. 43 Squadron RAF on 31st August 1940. Flying a Hurricane, Sqn Ldr Hull destroyed three enemy aircraft within a week. He died after being shot down over south London on September the 7th. 8

Lieutenant Richard Carew Reynell was born in Reynella, South Australia. He travelled to England to attend Oxford University, where he joined the University Air Squadron before transferring to the RAF in 1931. He later left the RAF for a stint as a test pilot (during which he remained a RAF reservist), before re-joining at the outbreak of the war. Lt Reynell was assigned to No. 42 Squadron RAF, flying Hurricanes, in late August 1940. During the Battle of Britain he was credited with one aerial victory and several ‘probables’. He was killed on the 7th of September during combat over south London.9

Pilot Officer Michael Robert Mudie was born in Singapore, and joined the RAF in March 1939. He served with No. 615 Squadron, flying Hurricanes, during the Battle of Britain. Shot down off Dover on July 14th, P/O Mudie parachuted into the Channel where he was picked up by the Royal Navy. He died of his wounds the following day, aged 24.11

Edward James Egan was born in Farningham, and learned to fly before the War. During the Battle of Britain, he served with No. 501 Squadron flying Hurricanes, shooting down one enemy aircraft. On 17th September he was killed in action, aged 19.12

Spirit Of the Few  Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Spirit Of the Few  Kent Battle of Britain Museum

Pilot officer Keith Reginald Gillman was born in Dover, and joined the RAF in March 1939. During the Battle of Britain, he flew Hurricanes with No. 32 Squadron, claiming an aerial victory on July 19th. On August 25th he failed to return from combat off Dover, aged 19.13

Spirit Of the Few  Kent Battle of Britain Museum

Blenheim Bolingbroke Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Heinkel He 111 CASA Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Museum research suggests this airframe began its life as a Heinkel He IIIH16, which had seen combat with the Luftwaffe before being converted to a CASA 2.111.B
  • As mentioned, the Museum’s collection is vast, and the written information provided is extensive. If you have a general interest in the Battle of Britain, I have no doubt you will enjoy a few hours, or a day, at the Museum. However, if you have a deep interest in the Battle, you will very likely need to visit over multiple days.
  • Due to the Museum’s regulations, it’s not possible to take photos of information displayed in the Museum. However, take along a notebook and pen when you visit. You can make a few brief notes on things of particular interest, then later search the Museum’s website and Facebook page to find more of the information.

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2 responses to “Searching for The few Part III, England”

  1. Paul McFarlane Avatar
    Paul McFarlane

    The statue of Gp Capt Hemingway reminds me of a British film actor – Denholm Elliott.

    Thank you for such a detailed narrative of your visit; I could visualise myself walking amongst the exhibits.

    I remember reading about the Polish members of the RAF being a wee bit impulsive but exuding such courage and defiance. It saddens me how they were treated when hostilities finally ended. They were made so welcome during the conflict but the government couldn’t rid themselves of these heroes quick enough despite their sacrifices. Those that were compelled to return to Poland found such a different country; some were arrested and imprisoned/executed by the Communist regime.

    This is the RAF that I remain staunchly proud of and consider my 15 years as a privilege. I quote 15 years, including my service prior to reaching eighteen, having enlisted before my seventeenth birthday.

    I will be send you an email later with images of my late father-in-law’s service record (thought that it might be of interest to you). Looking forward to the next newsletter.

    1. Hello Paul,

      I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Recently I sent some photographs of a particular museum tribute to Polish RAF pilots to a Polish friend of mine. Her response was that she couldn’t look at the photos without a feeling of betrayal.

      Thankyou I would definitely be interested in your father in law’s service record! Such original documents are fascinating to say the least.

      Thanks Paul for your ongoing interest and support!

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