Battle of Britain ace fighter pilot Paul Farnes dies aged 101

Battle of Britain Memorial Trust Image

The last surviving Battle of Britain ace pilot from World War Two has died aged 101.

Wing Cdr Paul Farnes was among the 3,000 airmen - The Few - who defended England's skies in 1940.

He died at his home in Hampshire on Tuesday morning, the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust said.

Paying tribute, it described him as "distinguished man - who was generous with his time in support of the trust".

The trust added Wing Cdr Farnes was the last member of The Few fit enough to be able to attend the aerial conflict's memorial day in 2019.

It said he had "proudly" represented his RAF colleagues at the service of commemoration just a week before his 101st birthday, in July.

The trust said Wing Cdr Farnes was "very proud" of his Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), which he received for his exploits in the Battle of Britain.

His tally was six enemy aircraft destroyed, one probably destroyed and six damaged, the trust added.

In 2015, the then retired Sqn Ldr described the "moving" moment he and his comrades were spontaneously applauded during a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

READ MORE - BBC NEWS

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