Book of Remembrance - Volume  I

 

Flight Lieutenant William Kenneth Scharff

Royal Canadian Air Force

Son of Charles Ridley Scharff and Grace Scharff, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, age 25, died on 19-Aug-1944 while based at Lantheuil, France.

The following entry is from 439's War Operations Record Book (Form 540): Once again two pilots were lost on the same day flying their Typhoons on bombing missions, J/7814 F/L Ken Scharff and J/21202 F/O "Porky" Porritt.. On the last operations of the day fate dealt us an unkindly blow. F/L Scharff of Vancouver, was hit by flak in the Vimoutiers area and he spun into the ground from 1,500 feet, the aircraft exploding on impact. Ken was not see to have baled out.

The following entry is from 439's War Operations Book (Form 541): This, the third show of the day, was airborne at 13:35 hours to carry out an armed recce over the now familiar area of Orbec-Le Sap-Vimoutiers-Fervaques. Twelve aircraft took off in three sections led by S/L Norsworthy, F/O Johns and F/L Scharff. The three sections proceeded to the "range" independently to pick off their own "sitting ducks". This time the Hun set up some flak posts and gave his transport some protection. The bulk of the MET attacked was found in this area just to the east of Vimoutiers and once again the keen marksmanship of the pilots built up a considerable bag. F/O Bernhart watched F/L Scharff pull up dust after a successful attack, saw his starboard wing become damaged by flak and saw the aircraft dive into the ground exploding on impact. F/L Scharff was presumed killed instantly. 

Following entry is from The Canadian Virtual War Memorial website  courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

J/7814 F/L Ken Scharff is buried at RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, United Kingdom Grave Reference: Panel 244.

 

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