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Poacher, as you suspected, there is no Q in the bottom row. You don't say which position but if it helps neither the first nor the last letter of 42 is a dot.

I should have said that there is a Q in the third row, not followed by a U.

Are the top row and the second row each a 7 letter word? I’m also stuck on 7d.

Jockie, second row is 3, 4. For 7d, definition is first word, wordplay is 2 around 3.

Thanks ozzy. Time to plod on.

Just got there. Tour de Force indeed.
The breakthrough eventually came with the encoded 'Q' on the 3rd line with no succeeding 'U' and the realisation of what probably preceded it.
The names of the people responsible were new to me.
Many thanks for the hints and nudges here.

Can I get a steer on 43a?!
Once again, ending in S seems odd.

Lumen, 43a def. is 'biblical area'. It's not in Chambers.
WP is 'chamber' (4), (where one might store something) + 'moved' ... all reversed

p.s. If you have a few crossers, it comes up using the wizard on this site.

Thanks for 43a. Sorry for late response. Been busy. Back to finish this now! Maybe.
Still need 41d.
And 3a - despite Malone' hints earlier.