† Sir Peter Scott (1909-1989), Portrait of Brian D’Arcy Irvine Esq., signed (lower left), oil on

† Sir Peter Scott (1909-1989), Portrait of Brian D’Arcy Irvine Esq., signed (lower left), oil on board, 26 x 19 cm, framed 34.5 x 27.5 cm Brian William Jesse D'Arcy-Irvine was born on 19th April 1918, the son of Henry Cockburn D'Arcy-Irvine and Mildred Cecily Carleton D'Arcy-Irvine (nee Richardson). His father was a planter in Serdang, Kedah, Malaya and Brian may have been born there. He was educated at Stowe School and went on to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read Architecture. He was a member of the University Air Squadron in 1938 and was commissioned in the RAFVR in October. Called up for full-time service at the outbreak of war, D'Arcy-Irvine completed his training and arrived at 5 OTU, Aston Down on 22nd April 1940. After converting to Hurricanes he was posted on 14th May to 257 Squadron, then about to be formed at Hendon. On 8th August 1940 D'Arcy-lrvine was reported 'Missing' after a combat with Me109s of III/JG27 off St. Catherine's Point in Hurricane P3058. In 1980 the squadron Intelligence Officer contacted the family and said that one of 257's pilots reported that he had evaded a Me109 on his tail after D'Arcy-Irvine had radioded a warning to him but he was not heard from again. He was a very able artist, often of birds and aeroplanes, having been taught a lot by his great friend, Peter Scott, the naturalist. He was 22 and is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 5. Arthur Ackermann & Son Ltd label verso, Collection of Sir Hubert Pitman, thence by family descent. Overall in good condition, but would benefit from cleaning as there are brighter areas to the background over the shoulders. The bottom section of the frame has been let in and is not moulded in the same fashion as other parts of the frame. Some wear to the corners of the frame.