Douglas known as Duggie was born in 1920 in Hackney, London to Sidney and Ethel née Simons and had a sister Joyce who also served as a WAAF. Their father worked as a traveller in advertising and the family attended the Brondesbury Synagogue where Duggie received his Hebrew and religious education.

Duggie enlisted in 1940 and was commissioned in 1943. He was awarded a DFC and his citation stated, ‘He had completed many successful operations against the enemy, in which he had displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty.’

Duggie was the air bomber on Lancaster JB180 which departed from RAF Coningsby on a night operation to Wesseling. The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter over the target area killing all the crew.

F/E, Samuel Boyle, 170182
Pilot, Albert Robinson Dunn, 40897
Nav, Gilbert Walter Fairweather, 128618
A/G, Douglas George Bertie Scarff, 1032289
W/O, Howard Spencer, 139384
A/G, Thomas Norman Usher, 1676820