Arthur Stewart King Scarf in the cockpit of an Avro Anson

Arthur Stewart King Scarf in the cockpit of a No. 206 Squadron Avro Anson. This picture was taken in 1938 when No. 206 Squadron was based at RAF Bircham Newton.

As a pilot in 1941, Squadron Leader Scarf was the only member of the RAF to be awarded the Victoria Cross for service in East Asia during the Second World War. On 9 December 1941, Scarf was the first member of No. 62 Squadron to take-off from RAF Butterworth. The remainder of his squadron was destroyed on the ground. In the single surviving aircraft, Scarf proceeded to No. 62 Squadron’s target, a Japanese occupied airfield at Singora. After his successful attack, Scarf was mortally wounded by enemy fighters. Despite his injuries, Scarf returned his Bristol Blenheim to RAF Alor Star. Scarf’s crew survived.