World War II Veteran Leah Bascus Nanton Dies At The Age Of 89

St. John’s, Antigua – The country’s lone female World War II veteran, Leah Bascus Nanton, has died. She was 89.

Born on the 1st of June 1925, Nanton enrolled in the British Army in 1943. After receiving training in Trinidad, Nanton was then stationed in London, where she served as an intelligence officer.

Nanton was a member of the Antigua & Barbuda’s Ex-servicemen & Women’s Association. The organization, which recently secured a home, expressed plans to have the building named “Leah’s House” in Nanton’s honor.

Nanton was among the first to benefit from grant secured by the the ex-servicemen and women’s association.

In 2013, Nanton was bestowed the national honour of being an Officer of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit for her distinguished contributions as a World War II Veteran.