Former RAF pilot dies ‘having lavished 103 years of love into the world’

A erstwhile RAF aviator who launched a foundation which flies humanitarian assistance to isolated communities has died, with his woman paying tribute to him having “lavished 103 years of love” into the world.

Jack Hemmings, who protected the Bay of Bengal from Japanese penetration during the Second World War, died connected January 24 successful infirmary successful Sussex, his foundation Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) announced.

Known to galore arsenic “lovely Jack”, his household said helium near the satellite a amended place.

Mr Hemmings co-founded humanitarian assistance work MAF successful the aftermath of the Second World War alongside D-Day seasoned Stuart King – a erstwhile RAF technologist who died successful 2020.

The brace took connected the archetypal British ngo to survey the humanitarian needs of isolated communities crossed Central Africa successful 1948, visiting much than 100 assistance and ngo outposts.

Last February, helium took to the entity successful a Spitfire, flying the craft for the archetypal time, from Biggin Hill airfield to rise wealth for MAF, describing being backmost down the controls arsenic “absolutely delightful”.

He is believed to beryllium the oldest British aviator to alert a Spitfire.

Paying tribute, his woman Kate, 77, said: “‘Lovely Jack’, the operation that tripped disconnected the lingua of truthful galore radical who met him for the archetypal time. Indeed, those were my words aft our archetypal encounter.

Oh, my beauteous Jack, this satellite volition beryllium precise unusual without you but you’ve near it a amended spot for having lavished 103 years of emotion into it

Kate Hemmings

“Jack was ever young, engaging with everyone from young children and teenagers up to centenarians. His galore friends followed antithetic religions and radical with nary spiritual beliefs. But his thrust was humanitarian, providing anticipation and relieving quality suffering.

“Oh, my beauteous Jack, this satellite volition beryllium precise unusual without you but you’ve near it a amended spot for having lavished 103 years of emotion into it.”

Mr Hemmings’ son, Adrian, remembered his begetter arsenic “loving and affectionate”, and told of however helium volition miss going for a “crafty pint” with him.

“He instilled successful america a heavy respect for others and a genuine involvement successful people,” helium said.

“He remained playful and humorous passim his life, ever making others consciousness invited and enjoying their company. Living afloat successful the present, helium stayed engaged with existent affairs close up until his death.

“Before his last infirmary admission, helium and I would regularly spell retired for a ‘crafty pint’ – a contented I volition profoundly miss”.

Every clip we spot a small level successful the sky, we deliberation of him and proudly archer of the fable which was our singular Grandpa Jack

William, Beatrice and Olivia Hemmings

Mr Hemmings’ grandchildren, William, Beatrice and Olivia Hemmings, said they could not person asked for a amended grandfather, calling him a “legend”.

“He was a antheral of boundless energy, joyousness and emotion – who filled each infinitesimal helium could with adventure,” they said.

“Whether hurtling down hills with america connected a toboggan, whisking america disconnected to France successful his aeroplane for lunch, oregon gathering a magnificent treehouse successful his 80s perched nonchalantly connected a 12ft ladder, helium had a vitality and passionateness for beingness which inspired america deeply.

“So overmuch so, that erstwhile asked successful schoolhouse to constitute astir our hero, alternatively than choosing a footballer oregon popular star, each of america wrote astir Grandpa Jack.”

“Our puerility was filled with magical moments successful the garden, eyes to the sky, scanning to spot him doing aerobatics successful his plane,” they continued.

“We stood connected the trampoline holding handmade signs, hoping helium would spot america arsenic helium soared overhead.

“These are the memories we volition everlastingly cherish and stock with generations to come. Every clip we spot a small level successful the sky, we deliberation of him and proudly archer of the fable which was our singular Grandpa Jack.”

Mr Hemmings was awarded the Air Force Cross for exemplary gallantry portion flying and besides received the RAF’s Master Air Pilot award.

Born successful Bentham, Yorkshire, successful 1921, his flying vocation began erstwhile helium volunteered to articulation the RAF aged 19 and saw him past respective crashes which yet earned him the nickname “Crasher Jack”.