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]

8 additions to “NANTON – Patrick Bindon”

  1. Alison Thompson adds:

    Dear Mr Clarke
    My uncle, Sergeant David George Gage was the Wireless Operator for the crew that went down in the operational flight on November 3rd 1942. My father (his brother) died 18 months ago and I am only now going through some of his personal effects which include all the correspondence between David’s father and the War Office at that time. Included is a list of the other crew members: Sergeant Earl James Haid (Captain), Pilot Officer Patrick Bindon Nanton (2nd Pilot), Sergeant Dennis Frank Wolf (Navigator) and Sergeant John Brinley Williams (Air Gunner). This was sent to my grandfather in case he wishes to correspond with their next of kin and indeed there is a letter from Mrs Williams asking if he had had any further news. There is no follow up, so it would appear that the whole crew was lost. I am sorry to have to tell you this and even after all this time understand your feelings of loss – my uncle himself was only 18 years old. If I can help in any other way, please do contact me.
    Kindest regards
    Alison Thompson (nee Gage)

    February 28th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
  2. CKC adds:

    Pat Nanton was from Antigua. My father, who is now in his 80s, and also from Antigua, used to mention Pat Nanton and said he was some sort of cousin of his who was killed in the war (not surprising the island had a very small population back then, probably 50k or so).Try the Museum in the old Court House in St John’s, Antigua . I’m sure they will be able to help.

    July 16th, 2009 at 12:10 am
  3. Michael F. Nanton adds:

    Dear Mr. Clarke,

    My name is Michael Nanton, Patrick Nanton was my uncle (younger brother of my father the late William Nanton). Uncle Pat is famous in our family and a hero to us all. He has several siblings still alive. Margaret “Peggy” Henry, Eustace Nanton, and Gladys-Mary Stephenson in Antigua; Donald Nanton in New York. Other siblings now deceased include Mrs. Mona ‘Jackie’ Georges, Dennis Nanton and my father Will Nanton. His parents died only knowing that he was missing in action. There is a subsequent record that I will try to locate that he was buried in Egypt.

    Our family is large and have migrated to many other islands in the Caribbean and abroad. I am resident in Canada. His nephew Errol Nanton also became a pilot and flies with Southwest Airlines in the USA. His brother Dennis was the Airport Manager in Antigua for many years and brother Eustace managed International Air Radio in Antigua for many years. His nephew Leslie is the long-standing manager of Air Canada in Antigua. His influence is therefore alive and well.

    Please feel free to contact me if you wish.

    Kindest regards,

    Mike Nanton

    July 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
  4. Jerome Lee adds:

    NANTON, PATRICK BINDON Initials: P B Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Pilot Officer Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 38 Sqdn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 04/11/1942 Service No: 118548 Additional information: Son of Robert Holberton Binden Nanton and Isabel Carden Nanton, of St. Johns, Antigua. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 248. Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL,EGYPT Source: CWGC

    38 Sqn at the time belonged to 201 Naval Cooperation Group

    July 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
  5. Debra adds:

    Dear Mr Clarke

    Unfortunately I do not know of the specific members of 38 squadron that you’re seeking, but I am hoping you may know of my Uncle. He too was in 38 squadron, his name was Sergeant Albert Mannering – he was killed on the 12/12/1942 & is listed on the war memorial at El Alamain.

    Any information that you could give me regarding ‘Uncle Albie’ would be greatly appreciated, as he was a most loved member of our family who lives on in all our hearts.

    Warm wishes
    Debra

    August 25th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
  6. EARL J HIAD adds:

    I am a nephew of Warrant Officer Earl J. Haid. I was called after him. He was a pilot. My grandparents and my father died believing he was killed over a body of water while on a mission. They believed his body was never found. If anyone has information on him I would like to hear from you. I am a father of 2 sons, one being a history teacher and I have 3 grandchildren. This family history is near and dear to my heart. Earl j. Haid

    January 10th, 2010 at 3:52 am
  7. Lorna Nanton Fisher adds:

    On 25th April 1894 Thomas Alfred Ford (an equine vet) married Eliza Jane Nanton at St John’s Cathedral, Antigua. They had two daughters, Nell (my maternal grandmother) and Annie In 1900 they returned to England, settled their girls at Bedford School and then went out to Malaya. Nell Married Francis Huett (a colonial customs officer) in Malaya and then their daughter Philippa (my mother) was born in 1919.

    I imagine that Pat Nanton was a relative of the above mentioned as they all hail from Antigua! I believe there was a sugar plantation on Antigua with the name of Nanton and, of course, there is Nanton point near English Harbour.

    This is probably no help to you but I thought you may be interested.

    May 21st, 2014 at 5:49 pm
  8. Alex Maddison adds:

    From the RAFWEB site Patrick Bindon Nanton was killed in Welligton VIII HX627 of 38 Sqn

    October 9th, 2014 at 8:40 am

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