A memorial flypast of a Lancaster bomber took place in Garsington to commemorate the last flight of Whitley Z6667.
The flight took place 84 years to the day since the aircraft was shot down by a German night fighter and crashed near Garsington, leading to the deaths of all six crew members. The Revd Tom Wallis, who organised the event on 5 July with the parish council, was joined by relatives of the crew, several of whom had travelled from Canada, to watch the aerial tribute. A memorial plaque dedicated to the airmen was also unveiled.
Meanwhile in Toot Balden, there was a service to mark the 60th anniversary of the loss of 41 soldiers and airmen when a Hastings aircraft crashed on 6 July in 1965. Bishop Gavin conducted the service (along with the Rector the Revd Jane Willis, and assisted by the Rev Jennifer Moreton and new curate the Rev Claire Wren) and preached.
Among the congregation were families of those who died as well as the Vice Lord Lieutenant who read a letter from His Majesty the King. A parachute drop from the RAF Falcons had been planned but sadly low cloud prevented that.
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