Anthony Woods-Scawen

Charles Anthony Woods-Scawen (18 February 1918 – 2 September 1940) was a British flying ace who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least seven aircraft.

Born in British India, Woods-Scawen joined the RAF in 1938. After his training was completed, he was posted to No. 43 Squadron. He flew Hawker Hurricane fighters in the Battle of France, providing cover for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk, during which he claimed his first aerial victories. He achieved further success during the Battle of Britain but was killed on 2 September when his parachute failed to open after he bailed out of his aircraft when it was damaged in an engagement with German fighters. His brother Patrick, also a fighter pilot with the RAF, was killed the day before. An award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for Woods-Scawen was announced after his death.

Early life Charles Anthony Woods-Scawen was born on 18 February 1918 in Karachi, British India, the son of Philip and Kathleen Florence Woods-Scawen. He and his elder brother Patrick returned to the family home in Farnborough, Hampshire in 1924. He was educated at Salesian College, Farnborough. Patrick joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1937, and in March 1938, Anthony followed him into the service on a short service commission. Despite poor eyesight, by memorising the chart used to assess his eyesight he was able to pass his medical tests. Nicknamed 'Wombat', he subsequently had flying googles made with prescription lenses.

Posted to No. 6 Flying Training School at RAF Netheravon two months later as an acting pilot officer, Woods-Scawen completed his flying training in December. He was then posted to No. 43 Squadron. This was based at Tangmere and had just reequipped with the Hawker Hurricane fighter.

Second World War After the outbreak of the Second World War, No. 43 Squadron moved to Acklington for convoy patrols and then from February 1940, it was based at Wick tasked with protective patrols over shipping moving along the north west coastline. A few months later, it was part of Scapa Flow's aerial defences. In late May, the squadron moved back to Tangmere and it immediately began operating over France, helping cover the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches at Dunkirk.

Battle of France Woods-Scawen's Hurricane was damaged with an engagement with Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters on 31 May and he had to make a crash-landing back at Tangmere. The next day, flying over Dunkirk, he claimed a Bf 109 as shot down although this was unconfirmed. A week later he destroyed another Bf 109 near Dieppe. After this engagement, he had to bale out. He landed behind German lines but was able to walk for several miles before linking up with retreating British troops. Evacuated from Cherbourg Naval Base, Woods-Scawen arrived back at Tangmere on 15 June.

Woods-Scawen is credited with the destruction of seven aircraft with an eighth unconfirmed, and one damaged. He is also believed to have probably destroyed four other aircraft. He is buried in Hawkinge Cemetery in Kent. The body of his brother Patrick was found on 6 September in the grounds of The Ivies, Kenley Lane. He had baled out after his aircraft was shot down but his parachute had failed to open.