Upon entering the pub we immediately noticed two large photos of No. 635 Squadron personnel lined up in front of a Lancaster. As well, there were a couple of smaller photos of RAF personnel and two squadron crests. The squadron photos were taken during May 1945 and, we presume, were left by the departing aircrew at the end of the war. At the opposite end of the pub was a large fireplace and it was easy to envision Baz, his crew, and other airmen standing around it and singing the classic air force songs, beers in hand. Later, our friend Don Currie who had also served with the squadron at Downham Market, assured us that indeed, this was one of the squadron's favourite pubs.

No. 218 Squadron RAF arrived here in August 1942, flying the Stirling against the Nazis. Later, No. 623 Squadron and No. 214 operated these massive aircraft from the base. The Stirlings left Downham at the end of 1943 and in March 1944, Lancasters of the newly formed No. 635 Squadron arrived. Later they would be joined on the station by No. 608 Squadron's Mosquitoes.

The second plaque honours F/Sgt. Arthur Louis Aaron, a pilot with No. 218 Squadron. F/Sgt Aaron took off from Downham Market on 12 August, 1943 on a raid to Turin, Italy. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on that night that undoubtedly saved the lives of his crewmen.

The third plaque is to the memory of S/L Ian Bazalgette who departed Downham Market on 4 August, 1944. He was killed when his Lancaster exploded after he landed with two badly injured crewmembers on board near the village of Senantes, France.

Bexwell Church is a "round-towered" type of Saxon origin and was built prior to 1087. It is surrounded by large trees and a stone wall. Elizabeth is one of a small group that maintains the building and churchyard and documents the church's historical significance. As we entered the church, just inside the ancient door was a table with photos of some of RAF Downham Market's WW II aircrew.

To the left of the altar is the wooded cross that was placed over the original grave of 2nd Lt. C.D. Prangley, the rector's son who was killed in 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. The cross was removed when 2nd Lt. Prangley was re-interred in a military cemetery. To the right of the altar is a Memorial to the World War II airmen who visited the church. Many of the kneeling cushions in the church featured RAF crests and aircraft. We know that Ian Bazalgette kept a bible next to his bed while stationed at Downham Market and undoubtedly he, and numerous other airmen, would have attended services in Bexwell Church.

Philippe picked us up at our hotel, skillfully navigated the streets of downtown Paris, and drove through the Parisian suburbs and into the countryside north of Paris. We passed through Beauvais, enjoying a glimpse of its historic cathedral prior to heading west and then north along narrow, winding roads. Soon the spire of a church appeared and shortly after, we entered Senantes (49° 29' 10.16"; 1° 50' 08.04" E).

The small village appears to have changed little since 1944 -the church remaining the centre-piece, surrounded by several dozen stone houses. We saw no sign of any commercial activity. There was a man mowing the boulevards of the square in front of the church and a young couple fishing in a nearly pond.

After enjoying coffee and a drink from Siméon's very special bottle of "vintage apple liqueur," we walked out into the yard to leave. Siméon went to his barn and from a stack of various pieces of wood and metal, pulled out a two metre long piece of aluminum. He said that it was the only remaining piece of F2-T in existence. He had brought it home from the crash site because of the bolts it had contained -bolts and other hardware being unavailable to the occupied French farmers during the war. Clearly, it was now an important keepsake.

Photos were taken of Siméon and this historic piece of F2-T, and then we returned to Senantes for a closer look at the church. A unique design, it appears to be very old but is well maintained. As we had noticed earlier in the day, its spire dominates the village. Baz undoubtedly would have been aware of the village and the church. He must have flown directly over it as his wireless operator and navigator landed within a few hundred metres of church after abandoning the aircraft at a very low altitude.

Baz's grave is just inside the churchyard, to the left of the short path that leads to the main door of the church. Obviously located in a place of honour, there were some artificial flowers on it as well as a container with living plants. The churchyard is practically covered with large monuments and blocks of polished stone covering many of the graves. Baz's RAF headstone is very modest in comparison. It features the outline of the Victoria Cross and the quotation, "Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

As Philippe drove us along the winding roads of the French countryside leading back towards Paris, we left Senantes pleased with the knowledge that our museum in Nanton, just 85 kilometres south of Baz's birthplace, is taking the leading role in telling his story. With the help of his family, crewmembers, and others, our museum has and is continuing to research and document his personality, career, and the circumstances that led to S/L Bazalgette being awarded a Victoria Cross -the only one received by an Albertan during World War II.