This was the core from which the ‘esprit de corps’ came. Ferdinand Junior Farfan was the airline’s first Trinidadian captain.Īs the Trinidadian pilots came home, some found jobs with the airline, as did many navigators, engineers and mechanics. Farfan joined the national airline, BWIA, on October 4, 1946, to fly Lockheed Lodestars his elder brother Ferdinand Jr had joined the year before. COOK was the captain, Sgt Esmond FARFAN as second pilot, W/O P.G. Esmond was to become BWIA’s third local pilot and served the airline for 33 years. He had seen the fires of Stuttgart and Darmstadt, and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. He had served as Captain of a mighty Lancaster bomber over the shrapnel-filled sky of Berlin. The cards never played again.”Ĭaptain Farfan became a veteran of World War II who flew 30 missions, lancaster Bombers over Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Esmond has published (in Trinidad) a fine book entitled “Five years in World War II”. It is based on his diaries and logbooks and describes his experiences during the war. It is based on his diaries and logbooks and describes his experiences during the war. Many of the Trinidad volunteers are mentioned and their exploits and many photos add to the pleasure of the read. The book is 540 pages recommended for any Caribbean War historian.Įsmond Farfan returned to Trinidad at the end of the war. At the morning of 1st July 44, Esmond knew that Ormond and another crew of 12 Squadron had got the chop…. Ormond was put on board for Vierzon and Esmond not….They tell that they would finish after the Ops, a French Target, a piece of cake. In 1943 four close friends from the British West indies (Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago) arrived at Operational Training Unit (OTU). They included John Marks, Ormond Pollard, Esmond Farfan and Martin Knowles – a good band of Brothers. They progressed in their training at HCU (Heavy Bomber Conversion) and hence were posted to 1 Group, two to 625 and two to 12 squadron. Ormond Pollord lost his life during the Vierzon raid, (12 squadron Lancaster 111 JB462 PH-S), Martin Knowles died in a crash during that same raid (Lancaster ND975). Farfan and Marks were destined to survive the war.Īlain Charpentier relates, “In 2005 I drove Farfan to the grave of Ormond, to the crash site and the grave of Martin, must say it was very emotional. He wrote his memoirs some time after, do not now if it was published. He had a good memory of all he did during the war and after, telling me some good stories. The Poignant thing is that just the day before Vierzon, he played cards with Ormond, playing some money for fun. Esmond Knox FARFANĬaptain Esmond Farfan passed away today Maat the age of 99Ĩ00007 – Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – 12 Sqn, 1 Group – Lancaster I think he flew from RAF Wickenby Linconshire U.K.Įsmond Farfan de los Godos was born in Trinidad on. 1800007 – Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – 12 Sqn, 1 Group – LancasterĪTS 6th Class, Piarco Base Wickenby, 30 missions DFC
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