Paul Farnes death: World War Two flying ace who fought in Battle of Britain dies at 101

Battle of Britain veteran Wing Commander Paul Farnes died aged 101. (Picture: PA Wire/PA Images)

The last fighter ace from the Battle of Britain has died, aged 101.

Wing Commander Paul Farnes was among the 3,000 airmen who defended the skies above southern England for three-and-a-half months during the Second World War.

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

His death means there are now only two surviving members of 'The Few', the group of airmen who repelled Hitler's Luftwaffe during the 1940 battle in the skies over southern England.

Mr Farnes, a Hurricane pilot, was the last surviving ace, an accolade referring to those who brought down at least five enemy planes.

Fighter pilots Stefan Witorzenc, George Stoney, Antoni Głowacki and, sitting, Bob Dafforn,Paul Farnes, Kenneth “Hawkeye” Lee, John Gibson and Hugh Adams of No 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force rest between sorties and listen to an account given by Gibson who had just bailed out of his aircraft after being shot down by an enemy aircraft in August 1940 (Getty Images)

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, the highest honour in the air force for non-officers.

A Battle of Britain Memorial Trust spokesman paid tribute to the war hero and said: “A tall, distinguished man with striking silver-grey hair that he retained throughout his life, Paul Farnes was known for plain speaking but was generous with his time in support of trust activities."

Prince of Wales talking to Battle of Britain veteran Wing Commander Paul Farnes in 2017 (PA Wire/PA Images)

The announcement comes seven weeks after Flight Lieutenant Maurice Mounsdon, who also flew in World War Two, died, also at the age of 101, in December.

Mr Farnes joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1938, later joining RAF No 501 Squadron and fighting in the Battle of France in 1940.

After the Battle of Britain, he was commissioned as an officer and served as an instructor and fought in Malta with No 229 Squadron as well as serving in North Africa and Iraq.

As the Second World War ended, he was in command of two squadrons in the UK.

Paul Farnes posing for photos with a guest in front of a Hurricane at RAF Northolt (PA Wire/PA Images)

Remaining in the RAF until 1958, he retired as a Squadron Leader, retaining the rank of Wing Commander.

He is survived by a daughter, Linda, and son, Jonathan. Another son, Nicholas, died in 1954.

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In 2015 Farnes 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.

“It was very emotional today because, when we walked out of the Abbey, the audience applauded and it’s never happened before at the annual service and I was very moved by it," he said.

“It is amazing that the Battle of Britain has caught on with the public and I am very proud to have been a part of it."

The Battle of Britain claimed the lives of 544 RAF pilots and air crew.