Last Battle of Britain Ace Dies at 101

The last fighter ace of the Battle of Britain in World War II has died at the age of 101.

Paul Farnes was one of 3,000 Allied airmen who fought in the Battle of Britain in 1940 and the only surviving ace — a Hurricane pilot who brought down five or more German aircraft. Over the course of 3 1/2 months from July to October, his tally was six aircraft destroyed, one probably destroyed, and six damaged. He was just 21 and a sergeant at the time. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his exploits.

The Battle of Britain claimed the lives of 544 Royal Air Force pilots and aircrew. Farnes was later commissioned as an officer and served in Malta, North Africa, and Iraq. He reached the rank of wing commander before retiring from the RAF in 1958. After his military service, Farnes ran a hotel in Worthing, West Sussex.

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