Notes
Francis Herbert Schumer was born in Middlesex on 13 April 1919, the youngest son of Dr Jacob Schumer MD and Matilda (née Myers). He was educated at Giggleswick School where he was in the Rugby 1st XV and was head of the School Officer Training Corps.
Francis Schumer entered Worcester College on 7 October 1938 but did not return to the College for his second year as he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in June 1939 and was called up on 1 September 1939. While at the College he played a guitar, which was returned to his mother after his death.
Francis Schumer was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on probation on 7 September 1940. On the same day he arrived at No. 5 Operational Training Unit based at RAF Aston Down in Gloucestershire to complete his training. He was involved in accidents on 12 September 1940 and 24 February 1941. He was posted to 600 Squadron on 24 September 1940.
On 12 July 1941 Francis Schumer took off from RAF Preddanack in Cornwall with his Observer, Allan Ralph Smither, for a night flying test in a Beaufighter aircraft . While flying between 8,000 and 9,000 feet Francis Schumer attempted to carry out a loop. It is thought that he pulled out too sharply from the recovery dive and went into a spin. Rather than bale out, he either tried to right the aircraft or wanted to help his Observer, but the aircraft span into the ground and both men were killed. Pilot Officer Francis Schumer was killed on active service aged 22.
Francis Schumer is commemorated at Golders Green Crematorium, and on the war memorials at Giggleswick School and Worcester College, Oxford.