Background
Woods-Scawen was born on 18 February in Karachi, India, the son of Philip Neri and Kathleen Florence Woods-Scawen.
Woods-Scawen was born on 18 February in Karachi, India, the son of Philip Neri and Kathleen Florence Woods-Scawen.
He was educated at the Salesian College, Farnborough.
Woods-Scawen joined the on a short service commission in March 1938. He was promoted to the rank of Acting Pilot Officer posted to Number. 6 Flying Training School at Royal Air Force Netheravon on 21 May 1938 and joined Number.
43 Squadron Royal Air Force at Royal Air Force Tangmere on 17 December 1938.
Battle of Britain
On 31 May 1940 Woods-Scawn"s Hurricane was damaged in combat with Messerschmitt Bf 109s. He returned to Royal Air Force Tangmere and made a belly-landing.
On 1 June he damaged a Bf 109. On 7 June 1940 Woods-Scawen baled out over France after a combat with an Bf 109 near Dieppe.
He landed in German-held territory and had walked twenty miles before falling in with a retreating British column.
Evacuated from Cherbourg, Woods-Scawen arrived back at Royal Air Force Tangmere eight days after he took official On 8 August Woods-Scawen claimed a Maine 110 destroyed and three Ju 87s probably destroyed ten miles south of the Isle of Wight, but his own aircraft was damaged and he landed back at Tangmere with slight shell splinter wounds in the legs. On 12 August Woods-Scawen damaged a He 111 and on 13 August claimed two Ju 88s destroyed over Petworth but was himself shot down by return fire and baled out, unhurt.
His Hurricane crashed and burned out on Northend Farm, Milland, near Midhurst.
Woods-Scawen claimed another He 111 destroyed on 15 August and two Ju 87s on 16 August. On this day Woods-Scawen was shot down by a Bf 109 off the Sussex coast and baled out, slightly injured.
His Hurricane crashed near Parkhurst, Isle of Wight. Woods-Scawen claimed a Bf 109 destroyed on 30 August.
On 1 September 1940 Woods-Scawen"s brother Patrick Woods-Scawen was shot down in combat with Bf 109s in the Kenley area.
He baled out but was killed when his parachute failed. His body was not found until 6 September in the grounds of The Ivies, Kenley Lane. Woods-Scawen was shot down in combat with Bf 109s on 2 September 1940 but bailed out too low and was killed.
His Hurricane, caught fire and crashed at Fryland, near Ivychurch.
The award was gazetted four days after his death. The citation read:
This officer has taken part in all engagements carried out by his squadron since the commencement of hostilities.
He has destroyed a total of six enemy aircraft and serviously damaged several others In spite of the fact this pilot has been shot down six times, he has continued to fight with unabated courage and enthusiasm, and has shown outstanding qualities as a resourceful and determined leader.
He is buried in Hawkinge Cemetery, Kent.