Tributes have been paid to a 102-year-old war veteran who ensured Germany did not invade Britain.
Squadron Leader John Hart has been hailed as the "archetypal" Battle of Britain pilot and should be remembered for his bravery.
His death has sparked a flurry of tributes, after he became one of The Few, the brave men who defeated the Luftwaffe.
The Spitfire pilot served in 602 Squadron and the Mirror reports he shot down a German Messerschmitt 109 and shared in two kills on Junkers Ju88 bombers, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry.
His death means the number of Battle of Britain heroes left is just four.
They are Flight Lieutenant William Clark, 98, Wing Commander Paul Farnes, 100, Flying Officer John Hemmingway, 99 and Flight Lieutenant Maurice Moundson, 100.
David Brocklehurst MBE, chairman of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, said: “John was the archetypal Battle of Britain pilot – very modest and self-effacing, the epitome of what they stood for.
"He should be remembered for his bravery. Many of these men said they were not heroes, just doing their duty, but we see them all as heroes. Sadly, they are a dying generation and there are only four of The Few still living.
“It makes it all the more important that we carry on their legacy, as there will be a time when they will no longer be able to do so. What they achieved must never be forgotten.”
John was a Canadian from New Brunswick, who joined the RAF on a short service commission in 1939 before the Second World War broke out. He learned to fly Spitfires and fought with 54 Squadron at Catterick and 602 Squadron in Westhampnett.
As well as fighting in the Battle of Britain, John served as a Flight Instructor, before being deployed to Burma and Italy in the later years of the war, where he commanded 67 Squadron and 112 Squadron respectively.
He was released from the RAF in 1946 and returned home to Canada after logging nearly 1,500 hours. John was the last surviving Canadian airman to have fought in the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940.
Nick Bunting, Secretary General of the RAF Association, said: "The passing of Squadron Leader John Hart is especially poignant, as he was the last surviving Canadian among the glorious Few.
“John fought in the Battle of Britain alongside more than 100 of his fellow countrymen, and many of them did not survive the battle.
"The whole country owes them, and Canada, an eternal debt of gratitude to the part they played in this decisive victory.”
