Flight Lieutenant WILLIAM KENNETH SCHARFF

Photo source: 439 Sqn archives 

Very  little flak opposition was encountered on these two shows, but by the time the third mission went out at 1335 the enemy had got his mobile batteries into action again to give some protection to his retreating columns. Splitting into three sections, S/L Norsworthy’s pilots hurled over the "range", picking off "sitting ducks" on the roads east of Vimoutiers. Twelve flamers and five damaged were added to the morning's tally to make the day's total 25 - 10 - 20. But two pilots did not return. F/L W.K. Scharff was pulling up from a successful attack on some vehicles when his number two saw a flak burst hit the starboard wing. The Typhoon dived into the ground and exploded. In the death of Ken Scharff No. 439 lost one of its ablest pilots and the last of its old originals. 

F/O R.A. Porritt, another veteran of Debert days, was also missing. No one knew what had happened to him, but his aircraft was last seen flying in a normal manner over the battle area, but "Porky" did not return. Hope was held that he had got down safely until two months later information was received that Porritt had been buried by French civilians. Flak had presumably claimed another victim.

Flying Officer R A PORRITT

Photo source: 439 Sqn archives Pl29019

For same days considerable anxiety was felt about a third pilot who was missing under quite different circumstances. On the afternoon of the 18^th F/O Maurice Laycock went out for a ride on his motorcycle and did not return to Lantheuil. Inquiries were fruitless until the 24^th when it was finally learned that he had been admitted to hospital in Bayeux following a mishap with his bike. The Squadron breathed a deep sigh of relief. Two-wheeled vehicles were unlucky for Maurice; once before, when No. 439 was stationed at Ayr, he had spent several days in hospital receiving treatment for his leg after falling off a bicycle in the blackout. Maurice rejoined the Squadron early in September when slight injuries to his right leg had healed.

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