Whilst taking photographs of all the war graves at TAIPING cemetery (Malaysia) last week, I noticed that the Victoria Cross had been awarded on 9th December 1941 to a RAF Pilot: A.S.K. Scarf (Squadron Leader). I have sent a copy of this photo to Owen and requested that he tell us a bit more about the circumstances behind the award itself. This is the first RAF VC holder I have discovered here in SE Asia - I wonder if there are any more? I also recall that the RAF tend to name their Airman's Barrack Blocks after VC holders......and I do remember seeing this very name many times, during my visits to their bases. Bucklt
Here you go: ARTHUR STEWART KING SCARF No. 62 Squadron. Extract from “The London Gazette” of 21st June, 1946. Squadron Leader Arthur Stewart King Scarf (Deceased), 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-dombing 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. 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 moral 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. 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. VC Recipients | M - W
I make it 46 VC's awarded during WW2 in Asia. List of Second World War Victoria Cross recipients - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Cheers Andy
9 December 1941 The Victoria Cross is posthumously awarded to Squadron Leader A.S. King-Scarf for a bombing raid on Singora airfield in Thailand, flying in a Bristol Blenheim I L1134 (PT-F) of No.62 Squadron. Due to Malayan campaign records being destroyed, the authorities did not hear of Scarf's actions until 1946 when the Victoria Cross is gazetted.
A few more details related to S/L Scarf's attack made on 9 december 1941. No.62 Squadron Blenheim L1134 Mk I flown by S/Ldr Arthur Scarf attacked Singora airfield completely alone, avoided interception, and made one bombing run across Singora airfield while his WOp/Ag, F/Sgt Cyril Rich, machine-gunned the rows of parked enemy aircraft. They were chased by several fighters, which - fortunately - attacked one at a time rather than simultaneously, although the lone Blenheim was hit repeatedly in the running fight at low level. Scarf flew skilfully, his Gunner defended the aircraft well, and they finally escaped the pursuers, but the Pilot's left arm was shattered and he was wounded in the back - the armour plate behind the seat had been removed to lighten the Blenheim for its attempted interception of the Japanese reconnaissance aircraft two day earlier. Assisted by his Observer, F/Sgt Gordon Calder, the barely conscious Scarf- held upright in his seat by Cyril Rich, who had crawled through from the turret into the 'well' in the centre-section behind the Pilot - managed to fly to Alor Star, guided there by Calder, as it was nearer than Butterworth. Scarf made a smooth belly-landing, the riddled Blenheim sliding over the rice paddies to within 100 yards of the hospital. The crew lifted him from the cockpit and laid him on the port wing, then all three lit cigarettes, ignoring fuel running from the ruptured tanks. Scarf's recent bride, Elizabeth, worked at the hospital as a nurse, and he laughed and joked with her from the stretcher while being carried in. The doctors assured her that his injuries were not life-threatening, although they might not be able to save his left arm. His young wife started giving her blood for a transfusion but, tragically, while she was doing this he died from secondary shock. His sacrificial bravery went unrecognised until after the war when, following information from released Prisoners of War, he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, which his widow received at Buckingham Palace on 30 July 1946. 'The Bristol Blenheim' - Warner
The clipped-wing Blenheim above being over-flown by three fighters is L1134. S/L. Scarf was flying this aircraft when he earned his VC on 9 December 1941. 'The Bristol Blenheim' - Warner
Lt Col Charles Anderson 2/19 Batt 22nd Bde 8th Div (AIF) was also awarded the VC at Muar River Malaya 18-22/01/1942 Lt Col Anderson was in command of a small force sent to restore a vital position and to assist the brigade. His force destroyed 10 Japanese tanks. Later cut off they defeated persistent attacks on his position from air and ground forces and forced his way through enemy line to a depth of 15 miles. He was again surrounded and subject to very heavy and frequent attacks resulting in severe casualties and personally led an attack with great gallantry on the enemy, who were holding a bridge and succeeded in destroying 4 guns. One company singing "Waltzing Matilda" as they attacked Lt Col Anderson through all this fighting protected his wounded and refused to leave them (those later taken prisoner were tortured and killed) The fighting lasted 4 days and he set a magnificent example of brave determination and outstanding courage. Of the 2/19th only 271 reached Yong Peng after withdrawing through enemy lines. The collapse of the Indian 45th Brigade led to these events. Lt Col Charles Anderson was taken prisoner in Singapore, survived and became a Federal Member of Parliament Spider Charles Groves Wright Anderson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Citation for VC: Charles Anderson VC NX 12595 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Groves Wright ANDERSON MC 2/19th Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. 18th to 22nd January 1942 in Malaya "During operations in Malaya from 18th to 22nd January, 1942, Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, in command of a small force, was sent to restore a vital position and to assist a Brigade. His force destroyed ten enemy tanks. When later cut off, he defeated persistent attacks on his position from air and ground forces and forced his way through the enemy line to a depth of fifteen miles. He was again surrounded and subjected to very heavy, frequent attacks, resulting in severe casualties to his force. He personally led an attack with great gallantry on the enemy, who were holding a bridge, and succeeded in destroying four guns. Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, throughout all this fighting, protected his wounded and refused to leave them. He obtained news by wireless of the enemy position and attempted to fight his way back through eight miles of enemy occupied country. This proved to be impossible, and the enemy were holding too strong a position for any attempt to be made to relieve him. On 19th January, Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson was ordered to destroy his equipment and make his way as best he could around the enemy position. Throughout the fighting, which lasted for four days, he set a magnificent example of brave leadership, determination and outstanding courage. He not only showed fighting qualities of very high order but throughout exposed himself to danger without any regard for his own personal safety". [London Gazette: 13th February 1942] Gazette Website: PDF Navigator
Quote from the book On Paths of Ash Episode in Changi just after the British surrender. I walked past a mild scholarly looking officer wearing steel rimmed glasses and mentally dismissed him as one of the officer types from administration. I was abruptly pulled up by an original 2/19th Battalion man who confronted me snarling, ' You don't bother to salute our VC winner?. I was dumbfounded and looked once again at this mild looking gentleman gazing into the distance. Colonel Anderson VC 2/19 Batt 8th Div AIF Spider
During a walk through the Remembrance Garden in my town of Stratford-on-Avon the name of Scarf VC was spotted on the plaque on the memorial of names. There is much info on the background of the VC award and it seems that Arthur Scarf was born in Orton North Warwickshire. The memorial and plaque are shown here.
UK, Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007 Name: Arthur Stewart King Scarf Birth Date: 14 Jun 1913 Birth Place: Wimbledon, London Death Date: 9 Dec 1941 Death Place: Alor Star Hospital, Malaya Arthur Stewart King Scarf (1913 - 1941) - Find A Grave Memorial England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Name: Arthur S K Scarf Mother's Maiden Name: Storr Registration Year: 1913 Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun Registration district: Kingston Parishes for this Registration District: View Ecclesiastical Parishes associated with this Registration District Inferred County: Surrey Volume: 2a Page: 864 Hmmmmmmmm TD edited to add: I know its Wiki but ..................... Arthur Scarf - Wikipedia Born 14 June 1913 Wimbledon, London Ahhhhhhh - his wife was from Olton, Warwickshire Scarf-Arthur I was interested because I am from Olton and several of my relations are buried in Stratford - on - Avon cemetries
Quick correction to a couple of posts regarding Scarf's Blenheim. The 62 Sqn airframes carried the code letters FX and not PT. The identification of PT-coded Blenheims goes back to the late 1960s but is entirely spurious. The PT-coded Blenheims belonged to 27 Sqn which was officially a fighter unit (note that several photos of PT-coded Blenheims show the same local theatre fighter markings as worn by Buffalos: undersides split 50/50 black and pale blue, with a "fighter band" worn on the rear fuselage). Blenheim L1134 was definitely a 62 Sqn machine because it is listed in the Operations Record Book for that unit. Similarly, the ORB for 27 Sqn does not list L1134. Tradition has it that Scarf's aircraft wore the individual letter 'F' so his Blenheim would wear 'FX-F' codes. Alas, there's no photographic evidence of the airframe.
