(John) Jack Hemmings – ThA 33-38

Wording supplied by the Hemmings Family.

Humanitarian aviator, Mission Aviation Fellowship [MAF] co-founder, and former RAF Squadron Leader Jack Hemmings has died aged 103. Jack was one of the early British pioneers to take a light aircraft from London to the remotest parts of Central Africa in 1948 – launching a charity that has grown to become the world’s largest humanitarian air service.

He was awarded the Air Force Cross for exemplary gallantry while flying and later received the RAF’s Master Air Pilot award in 2017. He is also believed to be the oldest British pilot to perform aerobatics and take control of a spitfire.

On 4 February 2024 at the age of 102, he was described as having ‘the vim and vigour of a man at least 20 years younger’ by the Telegraph; his historic spitfire flight reaching over 350million people worldwide with a message of bravery, optimism and support for the aviation charity he co-founded almost eight decades before. It was a flight Jack described as ‘absolutely delightful’.

Broadcaster Paddy O’Connell said, ‘Jack continued to fly the flag for his country and his remarkable generation.  I met him at Biggin Hill in the cold for Radio Four when he became the oldest man to co-pilot a spitfire.  He wanted to use his time on causes which are bigger than him and which show credit to aviators, engineers and charity workers.  A true hero and role mode.’

Jack died peacefully in his sleep on Friday 24 January 2025 in MAF’s 80^th year – eight decades after the end of WWII where his RAF service began.

Fearless, unwavering, and passionate about aviation, Jack fervently promoted the positive potential of flight into his centenary as well as reach the most isolated with humanitarian help. On his 100^th birthday in August 2021, Jack performed aerobatics in a Slingsby Firefly aircraft – thought to become the oldest British pilots to perform manoeuvres of this kind. After his surprise birthday flight, Jack commented on BBC Breakfast: “Aerobatics are such a treat, it’s a wonderful feeling which I thoroughly enjoy.”

Red Arrows Squadron Leader Graeme Muscat met Jack at various airshows – and the Red Arrows honoured him with a smoke flyover above his Sussex home in 2023 on his 102^nd birthday, to which Jack commented, ‘it’s a treat to share something in common with the King.’

Graeme said, ‘Having been a member of the Royal Air Force for almost 30 years, I have witnessed many changes and advances in aviation. But to meet an aviator, like Jack, who has been involved for more than eight decades is a rare and inspiring opportunity.  His selflessness, and dedication deserves both respect and recognition. What’s more, the leadership and determination he has shown during both wartime and peace are inspiring. It is meeting pilots like Jack Hemmings – and witnessing the positive impact he has achieved through aviation – many of us still working in this field can use to spur us on to continue to do great things, and we can only hope to achieve a fraction of what Jack has.’

In a nostalgic fundraiser at Old Warden Airfield in March 2022, Jack returned to the controls of a 1947 Miles Gemini – the same wooden model he co-piloted to Africa with D-Day Landings RAF veteran Stuart King – marking what would have been Stuart’s 100^th birthday. To date, Jack is thought to have raised over £50,000 for MAF through his charitable flights.

Jack was a committed supporter of MAF throughout his life – seeing the air service grow from one wooden Gemini in Africa to a fleet of around 120 purpose-built light aircraft operating in more than 25 low-income countries to deliver aid, disaster response and facilitate relief work among the world’s most isolated communities. MAF now flies to more destinations than any other non-governmental air service and employs more than 1,000 staff; many of them from local, low-income communities.

Chief Executive of MAF-UK Donovan Palmer said, ‘I had the privilege of meeting Jack at home shortly after I joined MAF in 2023. I was struck by his humility and deep devotion to those living in isolation and the possibilities that aircraft present to help them. Jack’s life will have impacted more people across the world than he will ever know. It is hugely sad for MAF to lose one of our pioneering founders, but we can be confident that Jack is now enjoying the promises of heaven.’

Jack’s charitable achievements and dedication to support vulnerable communities extended beyond MAF.

Social entrepreneur and Humanitarian NGO Executive Runa Khan first met Jack in 2000, when he travelled to Dhaka and volunteered to help convert a river barge into a pioneering, NGO-operated floating hospital called the Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital [Friendship]. Today, Friendship serves 7.5 million Bangladeshi people annually in some of the most remote and vulnerable communities.

Runa said, ‘At the age of 79, Jack not only became the first volunteer of Friendship, but took on one of the most demanding and crucial roles at the time. His meticulous discipline, exemplary dedication and ability to inspire those around him ensured the timely and successful completion of the ship. His help cannot be underestimated – he brought not only technical expertise but also humility, and moral fortitude. His impact extends far beyond the ship he helped create – his actions, a catalyst for a movement that continues to change lives to this day. Jack Hemmings embodied the very essence of what it means to serve others.’

Jack’s flying career began in August 1940, when he volunteered as air crew, aged 19. After his first flights in a Tiger Moth, Jack progressed to multi-engine aircraft, flying Airspeed Oxfords, Lockheed Hudson and Dakota aircraft with the RAF during WWII.

Jack was stationed in Calcutta as head of 353 Squadron to protect the Bay of Bengal and coast of Burma until demobilisation in 1946.

Documenting his wartime experiences, in 1942 Jack wrote: “I had the distinction of being the only one to be seriously hit by enemy fire. I flew in to have a look at the port of Taungup to be met by a shower of upward flying incendiaries. There was a loud bang behind my head, and something exploded just as the rear gunner called up to say, rather dryly, ‘lot of holes in the wing Jack.’”

During his flying career, Jack survived several crashes, including the fateful loss of MAF’s first wooden Gemini on a Burundi mountainside in 1948, six months into the African survey. Stepping out from each prang unscathed coined him the nickname Crasher Jack, which was affectionately used by aviation comrades and journalists to celebrate his impressively brave flying achievements.

The Venerable Dr (Air Vice-Marshal) Giles Legood – Chaplain-in-Chief at the RAF – met Jack at his home in Horam, Sussex, in December 2023 for the first time to congratulate him on ‘a life of devotion and service to others’, both as wartime RAF pilot and peacetime supporter of MAF.

Giles said, ‘Jack Hemmings has made an immensurable difference to the lives of many across numerous low-income countries. As one of the founders of Mission Aviation Fellowship, Mr Hemmings has shaped the organisation for nearly 80 years through hard work and personal sacrifice. Indeed, many owe their lives to him and the legacy he has created. His quiet humility, yet determination to make a difference is inspirational.’

Throughout his life, Jack was committed to raising up new generations of pilots and inspiring young people – volunteering as a Flying Officer with the RAF Air Cadets during the 1970s. In the final months of his life, Jack visited a local primary school in Seabrook, Kent, to personally thank pupils for raising funds for MAF.

Adding his handprint to an aircraft-shaped mural on the rear wall of the school, Jack said, ‘During our survey in 1948, perhaps we could have imagined half a dozen aircraft in Africa. Today, one cannot count the number of people whose lives have been enriched by its services. MAF is the Good Samaritan of the skies, and it’s a pleasure to see children learning about how aircraft can do a lot of good in a world full of problems.

‘I’ve never got into an aircraft and regretted it. I love flying because I have a feeling of detachment from all the problems of the world. Seeing aircraft used as weapons of war – as we did as young RAF airmen – reminds me of MAF’s initial purpose: to use aeroplanes to bring peace and hope to needy places.’

For eight decades, Jack Hemmings AFC has been pioneering aviation to deliver vital aid to isolated communities, saving lives in some of the world’s most inaccessible locations through the ongoing work of MAF. He has also remained devoted to the service of others, demonstrating dedication, bravery and compassion which are an inspiration to us all.

Jack leaves behind his son Adrian, wife Kate, and grandchildren William, Beatrice and Olivia. All of them describe him as a truly inspirational figure.