THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ENSURING THAT THE ARTHUR SCARF VICTORIA CROSS GROUP REMAINS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
3 May 2023

The identity of the purchaser of the Arthur Scarf Victoria Cross group in April 2022 has been revealed to be an overseas buyer.

News has recently been released that on the advice of the 'Reviewing Committee of the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest ( RCEWA )' a decision on an export application for the Victoria Cross was first deferred until the 27th January 2023. A prospective buyer must raise £660,000 ( plus VAT of £22,000 which can be reclaimed ) before this date.

A second deferral period was announced until the 30th April 2023 and third deferral period was announced until the 10th June 2023.

The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to announce the success of its campaign to keep the Arthur Scarf Victoria Cross medal group within the United Kingdom.

With the help of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, generous donations from the public and charities, coverage in the press, and a last minute donation of £46,870 the Royal Air Force Museum has now matched the £660,000 original Spink auction bid of 27 April 2023. The Arthur Scarf Victoria Cross group will go on display at the RAF Museum's Hendon site in North West London.

THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO SQUADRON LEADER ARTHUR SCARF, 62 SQUADRON, ROYAL AIR FORCE, HAS BEEN SOLD AT A SPINK AUCTION.


( select to enlarge )
Medal entitlement of Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf,
62 Squadron, Royal Air Force

  • Victoria Cross
  • 1939 - 45 Star
  • Pacific Star
  • Defence Medal ( 1939 - 45 )
  • War Medal ( 1939 - 45 )


The Second World War Victoria Cross medal group awarded to Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf, 62 Squadron, Royal Air Force, has been sold at a Spink auction in London on the 27th April 2022. The sale was by order of a direct descendant. The sale estimate was between £350,000 and £450,000. The Arthur Scarf VC group had originally been on loan to the Royal Air Force Museum.

The Spink sale hammer price realised £550,000. The identity of the purchaser has not been revealed.


For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 21 June 1946 ], Over Malaya, 9 December 1941, Squadron Leadeer Arthur Stewart Scarf, 62 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

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.

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.

Arthur Scarf's widow was presented with her husband's Victoria Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on the 30th June 1946.

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Iain Stewart, 3 May 2023