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Squadron Leader ARTHUR STEWART KING SCARF

Service Number: 37693
Regiment & Unit/Ship

Royal Air Force

62 Sqdn.

Date of Death

Died 09 December 1941

Age 29 years old

Buried or commemorated at

TAIPING WAR CEMETERY

2. G. 14.

Malaysia

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
  • Country of Service United Kingdom
  • Awards Victoria Cross
  • Additional Info Son of Arthur Samuel King Scarf and Florence Mary King Scarf; husband of Elizabeth Norah Mary Scarf (nee Lunn), of Olton, Warwickshire.
  • Personal Inscription HIS LOVE OF LIFE WAS ONLY EXCEEDED BY THE COURAGE ENCOMPASSING HIS DEATH
  • Additional Citation note

    The following details are given in the London Gazette of June 21st 1946: On December 9th, 1941, all available aircraft from the Royal Air Force Station, Butterworth, Malaya, were ordered to attack the advanced operational base of the Japanese Air Force at Singora, Thailand. The aircraft were about to take off when the enemy made a combined dive-bombing and low-level machine gun attack on the airfield, destroying or damaging all save the Blenheim piloted by Squadron Leader Scarf. Airborne just as the attack started, this officer witnessed the disaster, but decided to press on to Singora in his single aircraft. Despite severe opposition, including attacks by numerous enemy fighter planes, Squadron Leader Scarf completed his attack successfully, but was mortally wounded in so doing. He made a valiant attempt to return to his base, but owing to his wounds had to make a forced landing at Alor Star, accomplishing this without injury to his crew. He died in hospital shortly afterwards. Squadron Leader Scarf displayed supreme heroism in the face of tremendous odds and his splendid example of self-sacrifice will long be remembered.

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Buried or commemorated at