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Final Mission
Took off from East Kirkby at 2244 hrs on 7th July 1944 for a raid on the V-Weapon storage facility at St. Leu d'Esserent (North of Paris). The aircraft crashed around 0130 hrs to the South East of Villers-en-Arthies (Val d'Oise), 11km SSW of Magny-en-Vexin.
Flight Lieutenant Farara had served with 97 squadron and was awarded the DFM on 15th June 1943.
NE688 (LE-R) was a Mk III Lancaster crewed by
the following:-
| Wing Commander |
W.I. Deas |
RAF |
Pilot |
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William Inglis Deas
Nationality: South African
Rank: Wing Commander (Pilot)
Age: 29
Date of Death: 08/07/1944
Service No: 87060
Awards: DSO, DFC and Bar
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 2.
Cemetery: OMERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional information: Son of William Inglis Deas and Ursula Grace Deas, of Piet Retief, Transvaal, South Africa.
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Flying Officer
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J.T.Taylor
|
RAF
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Flight Engineer
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| |
Joseph Thomas Taylor
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Flt Engr.)
Date of Death: 08/07/1944
Service No: 143798
Awards: DFC
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 2.
Cemetery: OMERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
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Pilot Officer
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C.N.Wright
|
RAF
|
Navigator
|
| |
Charles Norman Wright
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer (Nav.)
Age: 29
Date of Death: 08/07/1944
Service No: 174338
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 2.
Cemetery: OMERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Maud Eliza Wright, husband of Phyllis Collins Wright, of Dobshill, Flintshire.
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Flight Lieutenant
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G.G.H.Farara
|
RAF
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Bomb-Aimer
|
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George Grafron Haig Farara
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Air Bomber)
Date of Death: 08/07/1944
Service No: 143472
Awards: DFC, DFM
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 2.
Cemetery: OMERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
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Flying Officer
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W.T.Upton
|
RAF
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Wireless Operator - Air Gunner
|
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F/O Upton managed to bale out of the aircraft before it crashed, and although injured survived the war as a POW.
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Sergeant
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L.A.A.Page
|
RAF
|
Mid-Upper Gunner
|
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Leonard Augustus Alfred Page
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
Age: 19
Date of Death: 08/07/1944
Service No: 1814068
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 2.
Cemetery: OMERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional information: Son of Arthur Walter and Jane Frances Page, of Surbiton, Surrey.
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| Flight Sergeant |
R.J.Locke |
RAF |
Rear Gunner |
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Roland James Locke
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer (Air Gnr.)
Age: 24
Date of Death: 08/07/1944
Service No: 182693
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 2.
Cemetery: OMERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional information: Son of Francis Albert and Louisa Locke, of Aston, Birmingham.
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All the deceased crew are buried in Omerville Communal Cemetery alongside six other airmen from the squadron who died on 10th June 1944.
ND688 (LE - R)was a Mark III Lancaster and was built at the AVRO facility at Chadderton. The airframe was transported to the AVRO facility at Woodford for assembly and was taken "on charge" at 32 MU on 20/02/1944. It was sent to 630 Squadron on 04/03/1944. ND688 was to take part in 13 operations before being lost on the night of 7/8th July 1944
If anyone has any further details on this aircraft or the crew, please contact me.
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ND688