Wing Commander HARLEY CHARLES STUMM (DFC) Stumm flew in the Pacific theatre then, following a crash in Central Java which he survived, he was placed in command of the first Mosquito Squadron in India. He was rapidly promoted to Wing Commander and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He crashed and died during a training flight at Armada Road, Calcutta in May 1944. 70656, Cdg. 167 Wing., Royal Air Force who died age 30 on 13 May 1944 Son of Charles William and Nellie Stumm, of Chelmer, Queensland, Australia; husband of Lorraine Juliet Stumm, of Hazelbrook, New South Wales, Australia. B.A. (Queensland University); B.A., B.C.L. (Oxon); Rhodes Scholar. Remembered with honour MADRAS WAR CEMETERY, CHENNAI Rhodes Scholar Balliol 1935 Australia Stumm, Mr Harley email:archivist@balliol.ox.ac.uk For these photos. 1 STUMM, HARLEY CHARLES PHOT 25.31A 1935 2 STUMM, HARLEY CHARLES PHOT 25.35A 1936 3 STUMM, HARLEY CHARLES PHOT 36.69A 1936 4 STUMM, HARLEY CHARLES PHOT 39.04A 1936 The Librarian post: Anna Sander College Archives Balliol College Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BJ UK Apart from being admirable law (Qld Uni) students, all were heavily involved in varsity sports and undergraduate affairs. Stumm in particular was a fine rugby player, representing Queensland and the Combined Australian Universities Rugby Football team to tour Japan in 1934. Rhodes Scholars Who played for the University of Queensland Football Club 1935 STUMM, Harley Charles All were active members of student societies such as the Law Students' Society and the Debating Society as well as the Union, of which Parker was Secretary in 1936 and President in 1938. Of the five, two – Stumm and Parker – were Rhodes scholars and spent their time at Oxford pursuing legal studies. A number were from a long and distinguished line of legal families. Harley Charles Stumm attended TSS from 1927-1931. He was made Prefect and played in the 1st XV in 1931. He attended the University of Queensland Promoted to Flying Officer November 30th 1939. Quote: Tuesday 20 July 1943, page 4. News 39 words Three Australians DECORATED MELBOURNE, Monday.—FlyingOfficer Offlcer Ormond Francis Deacon, '25. of Launceston, and Wing-Commander Harley Charles Stumm, of Queensland, have been awarded the D.F.C Quote: STUMM.-On May 20 (result of aircraft accident), India, Wing-Cdr. Harley C., D.F.C.. of Brisbane, sincere friend of Flt-Lt. B. Burnley. D.F.C.. and Flt.-Lt. R. J. Ingram, D.F.C., presumed to have lost their lives over Burma on June 1, 1943. (The Ingram family.)
To add to this thread, I used to work with a gentleman who flew as an observer in 45 Squadron when they were flying Mosquito aircraft. Apparently the hot and humid atmosphere affected the bond strength of the adhesives used in the construction of the plywood aircraft and they had a number of failures in the fabricated main spar. It was one such failure that claimed the life of Wind Commander Stumm. A very sad loss which was remembered with emotion by my colleague some 50 years later.
