MAF co-founder Jack Hemmings AFC marks D-Day’s 80th anniversary

Jack visits Normandy’s Bayeux War Cemetery for the first time (credit: Jo Lamb)

102-year-old war veteran Jack Hemmings AFC visited Normandy’s Bayeux War Cemetery for the first time this week, and attended a host of special events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the largest ever land, sea and air invasion in history.

Jack Hemmings AFC congregated with fellow war veterans in Normandy in a series of 80^th anniversary D-Day events hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, King Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne and US President Biden were among the world leaders and dignitaries to take part.

‘Saving Private Ryan’ actor Tom Hanks along with film director Steven Spielberg also paid their respects to the fallen and to the small number of remaining World War two heroes now well into their 90s / early 100s.

Jack sees Royal Marines (47 Commando) land on Gold Beach, Normandy (credit: Jo Lamb)

Paying respects to MAF co-founder Stuart King

Jack paid tribute to his friend and fellow MAF co-founder, the late Stuart King. Stuart was actually there on D-Day 80 years ago, serving with 247 Fighter Squadron as a RAF engineer – operating Hawker Typhoon fighter-bombers and providing air support for ground forces in Normandy.

Jack pays his respects to the late Stuart King on Gold Beach (credit: Jo Lamb)

On Gold Beach – one of the five beaches where the allied troops landed – Jack spoke about the bravery of his dear friend who fought on the beaches and single-handedly captured a group of German soldiers after falling into a trench:

‘Stuart was incredibly brave on D-Day, ducking under the shower of machine gun fire, and his squadron was constantly under attack.

‘He fell into a trench full of German soldiers, and without missing a beat he pulled out his shot gun and they all surrendered to him. To his comrades’ surprise, he managed to make his way back to them, but with about six German soldiers with their arms in the air!

‘It’s a privilege to be here on the beach where he and his Typhoon Squadron risked their lives. I’m immensely proud of Stuart and the D-Day chaps.’

Jack Hemmings AFC – MAF co-founder and World War two veteran

From liberating the French to liberating the isolated

When Stuart received the Legion D’honneur in 2016 – the highest French military award – the former RAF engineer recalled the horrors of D-Day:

‘During the first landings in Normandy, we were losing about 50 pilots every month. I doubt I would have survived if I had been one of those. We saw death and destruction for many years. War is terrible.

‘When we left the Air Force, some of us felt that God had something better. Aeroplanes could be used for more than death and destruction, and that was when MAF was born.

‘I am grateful for the privilege both of being involved in the liberation of France, and later the liberation of many people from hardship, ill health and many difficulties across isolated parts of the world.’

Stuart and Jack – along with early MAF pioneers Murray Kendon, Betty Greene, Ken Ellis and Tom Banham – would go on to launch the world’s biggest humanitarian airline in 1945, which is still serving the most isolated people on earth 80 years later.

‘A privilege to be alive’

As part of the commemorations, Jack visited the Bayeux War Cemetery, which was open to both Normandy and World War two veterans, families of the fallen and descendants of the Normandy veterans.

Afterwards, Jack attended a thanksgiving service at Bayeux Cathedral, attended by Princess Anne.

Jack attends the D-Day 80 thanksgiving service at Bayeux Cathedral (credit: Jo Lamb)

Jack reflects on the enormity of such an occasion:

‘Being a World War two survivor at the age of 102, I often look upon myself as a rarity, but the camaraderie we feel of being together to celebrate D-Day is poignant. Knowing that all these folk have been through what I have – and a lot worse – is very humbling. It’s a privilege to be alive today.’

Jack Hemmings AFC – MAF co-founder and World War two veteran

The D-Day landings named ‘Operation Overlord’ saw nearly 160,000 allied troops from a dozen countries land on Normandy’s beaches by sea and by air.  They faced around 50,000 German soldiers (source: AP).

4,441 allied troops never made it home.

This largest amphibious invasion in military history, ultimately helped defeat Nazi Germany and liberate Western Europe, leading to the end of World War two.

Jack at Bayeux War Cemetery: ‘It’s a privilege to be alive today.’ (credit: Jo Lamb)

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