1940 dated RAF F/O "Operations" Tunic to a 1939 DFM Winner

A particularly nice 1940 dated RAF Flying Officer’s Tunic to Kenneth Frederick Scotney (43245), who as a Flight Sergeant (580072) was a very early D.F.M winner. Although no known citation for the DFM exists, it is presumed that it was awarded to Scotney for the following event:

On Thursday, 10 November 1939 Flight Lieutenant Sheahan and Sergeant Scotney of 220 Squadron were patrolling in their Hudsons. Off the Yorkshire coast near Scarborough they encountered a Do18 flying Boat which they attacked, finally forcing the boat to come down on the water, where it capsized. Oberleutnant zur See Wilhelm Lutjens, the pilot, lost his life but the rest of the crew were rescued by Dutch ships. Meanwhile, Scotney had turned the controls of his Hudson over to the second pilot, Sgt Calver. No sooner was Calver fully in control than another Kustenfliegergruppe 3./406 Do 18 appeared. It was attacked and hit, retreating into cloud.

The award was gazetted on 20 February 1940

Scotney continued to serve with 220 Sq. and the Squadron records show his name in a number of operational sorties and combats. He was promoted from probationary P/O to F/O on 1st April 1941 and to F/L on 1st April 1942

Posted to 3 SGR RAF (No.3 School of General Reconnaissance) Scotney was flying a Blackburn Botha on a training flight on 6 May 1942 when an engine fire forced him to ditch the aircraft 12 miles off Squires gate. He was injured and the only survivor. After that, his service is unknown.

His Tunic is a fine example and although the tailor’s label shows K.S. Scotney where it should read K.F. Scotney, there is no doubt this was an error by the tailor, F and S sounding similar in speech. The date April 1940 is clear and the ribbon to the DFM appears below a pair of unpadded Pilot’s wings. Overall condition is very good with just two small, repaired cuts on the inside right arm.

Apart from the history what makes the Tunic outstanding is the custom made dressings pocket made from the false cuff of his Flt. Sgts. Tunic and fitted to the inside lower right side of the Tunic. Still in place is a 1938 dated field dressing. Clearly, Scotney wore this during operational flying.

1940 dated RAF Tunics are rare and particularly so in a lower rank and without later awards, exactly as would have been worn during the period of the Battle of Britain.