I am currently looking for any details on two Hurricane pilots who were killed in action in September 1940.They were brothers,Patrick Philip Woods-Scawen DFC,24,of 85Sqn and Charles Anthony Woods-Scowen,21,of 43 Squadron.They died within 24hours of eachother on the 1st and 2nd of September 1940,in almost identical curcumstances. Considering that it’s such a tragic and bizarre story,I’m surprised I haven’t heard about it earlier.I’m presently researching this purely out of my own curiosity,and I’d be grateful for any details.
I’ve searched the CWWGC register and aswell as coming up with the two mentioned above,there is also a third Woods-Scowen.Gerald Edgar Francis Woods-Scowen was a Sergeant pilot with 92Sqn who was killed in action over Europe on October 3rd 1941.The register states that his parents came from the Farnborough area,which is also where the parents of the two other Woods-Scowens came from.Considering it’s not a common name,I’m beginning to think that he may have been related to the other two.Does anyone know if this is the case?
Any info on thier backgrounds,careers or the circumstances of thier loss would be greatly appreciated.
By: kev35 - 6th November 2002 at 22:35
RE: Two of The Few
Ant,
Battle of Britain Then & Now is a good resource for the Woods-Scawens and I think there is a tribute poem to them from their school in that book. I think there are references to them both in Aces High and again in Men of the Battle of Britain. One of them, I think it was the one who was with 85 squadron, was called Wombat due to his poor eyesight. I believe there is mention of him in Peter Townsend’s book Duel in the Sky. I have all these so if you want more details I’ll copy and email them to you. it might take a couple of days as I’m very busy at the moment. let me know anyway.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
kev35
By: dezz - 6th November 2002 at 19:36
RE: Two of The Few
have a look here.
http://www.kent2do.com/brenzettaeronautical/
or here..
Dezz 🙂
By: Ant.H - 6th November 2002 at 19:29
RE: Two of The Few
Thankyou both for the info.Nielly,I’ll give that link a try if nothing more turns up here.Dezz,thanks for the info on the two Hurricanes.I’d already got some sketchy details on what happened,but your information is the most detailed I’ve had yet.
Does anyone have an E-mail address for the the Brenzett Museum?It seems that this might be the next best place to look.
By: dezz - 6th November 2002 at 18:27
RE: Two of The Few
Hi
Hope this helps
Hurricane p3150. shot down in combat with bf 109’s over kenley area 2.15pm, flying officer P. P. woods-scawen baled out but killed due to parachute failure . body found 6.9.40 in the grounds of the ivies, kenley lane.
Hurricane v7420. set alight in combat with bf 109’s over east Kent and attempted to crash land at fryland near ivychurch 1.30 pm. Pilot officer c. a. woods-scawen baled out too low and killed.
As a foot note the remains of his aircraft are in the brenzett museum who excavated it in 1977
Info from Battle of Britain, Then and Now
Dezz
By: neilly - 6th November 2002 at 08:46
RE: Two of The Few
Hi Ant,
If you don’t get any joy, try putting your request on this site –
It never ceases to amaze me the ammount of knowledge on this site, concerning aircrews missing or killed in action.
Cheers,
Neilly
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November 6, 2002 at 12:08 am