Page 10 - Avro Lancaster LM594

The first operation that this Lancaster undertook was flown by Squadron Leader
(Later Wing Commander) Basil Arthur Templeman-Rooke and crew to the coastal gun batteries at
th
St Martin-de-Varreville/Crisbeq, Normandy on the evening of the 5 June 1944. This operation by
Bomber Command was in support of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of France. This crew
would undertake 10 operations with A – Able2.

The crew on that first operation were:

Squadron Leader B.A.Templeman-Rooke - Pilot
Sergeant F. N. Ashton - Flight Engineer

Flight Sergeant F.N. Strand - Air Bombardier

Flight Sergeant W.E. Sollis - Navigator

Sergeant B.G. Holmes - Wireless Operator

Sergeant J. Boyd - Mid Upper Gunner

Sergeant F.A. West - Rear Gunner

Wing Commander Templeman-Rooke’s profile is on this website
Sadly Basil passed away in 2004

Per ardua ad astra