For Valour : Squadron Leader Arthur Stewart King Scarf (37693) VC Royal Air Force

December 9, 1941, over Malaya

Squadron Leader Arthur Stewart King Scarf (37693) VC Royal Air Force

Squadron Leader Arthur Stewart King Scarf (37693) VC, Royal Air Force
14 June 1913 – 9 December 1941

In late 1941, Britain’s defences of its interests in India and South East Asia were woefully thin; all modern equipment and the majority of manpower were needed in North West Europe, North Africa/Mediterranean and the Middle East, where British forces were facing superior German military resources. On 8 December 1941 [7 December in the Pacific, across the International Date Line], even before the Japanese attack on the United States Navy at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese army landed on the north coast of Malaya [now Malaysia]. The RAF, in particular, was dependent upon ancient Bristol Blenheim Mk. I bombers and Brewster Buffalo fighters – far outclassed by the Japanese fighters.

Squadron Leader Scarf's medal bar (© RAF Museum X008-8790)

Squadron Leader Scarf’s medal bar (© RAF Museum X008-8790)

Bristol Blenheim Mk 1 (© RAF Museum)Bristol Blenheim Mk 1 (© RAF Museum)

On 9 December 1941, Squadron Leader Scarf was attached to 62 Squadron, operating from RAF Butterworth. He was captain and pilot of Bristol Blenheim Mk. I serial L 1134 and coded PT-F. No. 62 Squadron was ordered to attack Japanese troops. Fuller details of the action during which he won his Victoria Cross are to be found on special pages on our website at https://collections.rafmuseum.org.uk/story/squadron-leader-arthur-scarf-vc/ and https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/arthur-scarf-victoria-cross/ .

Blenheim of 62 Squadron and Brewster Buffalo fighters in Malaya 1941 (© RAF Museum X004- 7598/042/018)

Blenheim of 62 Squadron and Brewster Buffalo fighters in Malaya 1941
(© RAF Museum X004- 7598/042/018)

The London Gazette FRIDAY, 21 JUNE, 1946

‘The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the posthumous award of the VICTORIA CROSS to the undermentioned Officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: — Squadron Leader Arthur Stewart King SCARF (37693), Royal Air Force, No. 62 Squadron. On 9th December, 1941, all available aircraft from the Royal Air Force Station, Butterworth, Malaya, were ordered to make a daylight attack on the advanced operational base of the Japanese Air Force at Singora, Thailand.

From this base, the enemy fighter squadrons were supporting the landing operations. The aircraft detailed for the sortie were on the point of taking off when the enemy made a combined dive-bombing and low level machine-gun attack on the airfield. All our aircraft were destroyed or damaged with the exception of the Blenheim piloted by Squadron Leader Scarf.

Singora airfield after capture by Japanese (© RAF Museum X004-7598/042/014)Singora airfield after capture by Japanese
(© RAF Museum X004-7598/042/014)

This aircraft had become airborne a few seconds before the attack started. Squadron Leader Scarf circled the airfield and witnessed the disaster. It would have been reasonable had he abandoned the projected operation which was intended to be a formation sortie. He decided, however, to press on to Singora in his single aircraft.

Although he knew that this individual action could not inflict much material damage on the enemy, he, nevertheless, appreciated the morale effect which it would have on the remainder of the squadron, who were helplessly watching their aircraft burning on the ground. Squadron Leader Scarf completed his attack successfully. The opposition over the target was severe and included attacks by a considerable number of enemy fighters. In the course of these encounters, Squadron Leader Scarf was mortally wounded.

Air Ministry telegram to Scarf's mother notifying of his death (© RAF Museum AC 98/57/32 ) Air Ministry telegram to Scarf’s mother notifying of his death
(© RAF Museum AC 98/57/32 )

The enemy continued to engage him in a running fight, which lasted until he had regained the Malayan border. Squadron Leader Scarf fought a brilliant evasive action in a valiant attempt to return to his base. Although he displayed the utmost gallantry and determination, he was, owing to his wounds, unable to accomplish this. He made a successful forced-landing at Alor Star without causing any injury to his crew.

He was received into hospital as soon as possible, but died shortly after admission. Squadron Leader Scarf displayed supreme heroism in the face of tremendous odds and his splendid example of self-sacrifice will long be remembered.’

The delay in the awarding of the VC arose from the chaos of the British forces’ withdrawal to Singapore and its surrender to the Japanese; records were lost or deliberately destroyed and the full story of Scarf’s heroism did not emerge until the return of PoW’s from Japanese internment.

His Victoria Cross and medal bar are on display at the RAF Museum in Colindale, London.

Squadron Leader Scarf's grave (© The War Graves Photographic Project)Squadron Leader Scarf’s grave
(© The War Graves Photographic Project)

He lies in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Taiping War Cemetery, Malaysia.

Credits:

Citation: London Gazette 21 June 1946
Additional biographical details:
For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.

About the Author

Norman Brice: Volunteer

Volunteer Norman Brice

It all started very many years ago when, lying in my pram, I was awoken by what I later knew as Spitfires on their finals to RAF Biggin Hill, just a handful of miles away. As a schoolboy I was captivated by the annual September Battle of Britain Days at Biggin Hill with a vast range of visiting aircraft, including all three V-Bombers in gleaming anti-flash white.

Fast forward very many years past retirement I joined the RAF Museum London as a volunteer as a Vulcan and Cold War tour guide.