NANTON – Patrick Bindon

1383400 – P.B. Nanton – Leeward & Windward Islands – attested 30.12.40 – Pilot
118548 – P/O – commissioned 27.3.42 – Missing believed killed – D.P. 4.11.42

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876 – Nominal Roll of Coloured Candidates, October 1944]

118548 – P/O – 38 Sqn – pilot – Wellington – MIA/KIA at 24 years old on 4 November 1942

Son of Robert Holberton Binden Nanton and Isabel Carden Nanton, of St. Johns, Antigua.

[Source: The Trinidad Guardian 12 Mar 1943 from The West India Committee Circular – February 1943, courtesy Jerome Lee, CMHA and Frank Ramon Clarke/CWGC]

“Seeking relatives or anyone who knew of Pat Nanton.  He was the son of Robert and Isabel Nanton of St Johns, Antigua and was a pilot in the RAF with the rank of Pilot Officer.  I joined his crew as front gunner at OTU Harwell (Berkshire).  On completion of training we flew a new Wellington bomber to Egypt at the end of July 1942 and on arrival were posted to 38 Squadron RAF based at Shallufa.  I transferred to another crew as a torpedo carrying Wellington had no front gunner.  Pat and the rest of my crew failed to return from operations against enemy shipping in the Aegean sea on 4th nov 1942.  He is listed on the war memorial at El Alamain as having died that day with no known grave at the age of 24.  Not only was he my pilot but a personal friend, a fine brave man who came from his native country to join the RAF and help us in our fight against the enemy and paid the ultimate price.  Other members of the crew not listed by the war graves commission were Sgt Barry and Sgt Williams, so it is possible they survived that fatal mission.  If anyone knows of any of these men, please contact me so we can exchange memories of old comrades.  Nobby.”
Posted By:
Frank Ramon Clarke on Sunday 28 April 2002 on www.missing-you.net

patrick-bindon-nanton-raf

 

[Photograph courtesy Audrey Dewjee]

ECKEL – Cecil Ernest Bernard

Pilot Officer – Pilot – Hurricane/Typhoon

Volunteer ETS, trained at Piarco, educated QRC. Shot down in France, evaded capture and fought with the maquis. Died 1990

[Source: CMHA]

1394888 – Cecil Ernest Bernard ECKEL – Trinidad – Flight Sergeant – Pilot – 247 Sqn. – Missing – Flying Officer 191986

[Courtesy AD]

ROOKS – Colin Olton

Major – RCAF – MIA

Reported missing June 1944. son of Errol Rooks, RFC/RAF WWI No data on CWGC or Canadian

[Source: CMHA]