Francis Soper

Francis Soper DFC, DFM (29 July 1912 – 5 October 1941) was a flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He is credited with the destruction of at least fourteen aircraft.

From Devonport in England, Soper was a sergeant pilot with No. 1 Squadron at the time of the outbreak of the Second World War. Sent to France early in the Phoney War, he achieved considerable success in the aerial fighting once the Battle of France commenced in May 1940. Repatriated from the country after several days of intensive operations, Soper was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal and commissioned. He spent the next several months on instructing duties before returning to operations with a posting as a flight commander with No. 257 Squadron in June 1941. After claiming more aerial victories with the squadron, he became its commander in September. He is believed to have been killed on 5 October as he failed to return from a sortie that day. Two days after his presumed death, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.