The Airmen's Stories - P/O J H Hoare-Scott

James Hammond Hoare-Scott, of Surrey, was born on 18th June 1911 in Chiselhurst, Kent.

His parents were Herbert James Hoare and the former Frances Ann Swire Scott. When HJ Hoare was baptised, aged 40, in 1908 he gave his occupation as Indian Civil Servant and his address as Catherington, Ifield, Sussex. In the Indian Army Quarterly List of 1st January 1912, he was recorded as a Second Lieutenant, Volunteer Corps, United Province Horse, 1st (Southern) Regiment.

Their son adopted the name Hoare-Scott around the time he joined the RAF.

He was educated at a school in Dorset and Marlborough College. He went on to Clare College, Cambridge where he read Mechanical Sciences.

He was a member of the University Air Squadron from 1930 to 1932 and obtained his pilot's licence whilst with the squadron.

He was destined for a career in his mother's family business, Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Company and joined them in 1932. He travelled abroad extensively, visiting customers.

He married Margaret Dorothy Murton in January 1937, they had a daughter, Jenny.

When war broke out Hoare-Scott, director of the company, was classed as being in a Reserved Occupation. However in view of the shortage of pilots he was granted six months leave and joined the RAF in March 1940 on a Direct-Entry commission.

After completing his training he arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 17th August 1940. After converting to Hurricanes he joined 601 Squadron at Debden on 1st September.

He was killed on 20th November 1940 when scrambled from Exeter. His Hurricane I V7317 crashed on take off, coming down at Broadclyst.

Hoare-Scott was 29. He is buried in St Mary's churchyard, Frensham.

In 1971 his sister, Anne Francis Hoare (born in India in 1910), married Walter Murton, brother of Margaret Dorothy.