Nolan’s proud visit to grave of his grandad
WRITING and directing Dunkirk was something of a passion project for Christopher Nolan.
He knows exactly what it must have been like for those who lost a loved one during the evacuation – his grandfather, Lancaster navigator Francis Thomas Nolan, was shot down over France.
He should have retired but offered to make one more flight and never came home.
He was buried in France and has inspired the director.
Nolan, 46, says: “My grandad was a navigator on a Lancaster but he did not survive the war. While we were filming – he’s buried in France in a military grave – we took the kids to see his grave. I think my fascination with planes and that aspect of it is due to that.”
COURAGEOUS
According to Nolan’s research, Francis was with Avro Lancasters as part of No 1 Group of RAF in Bomber Command, which mainly did night raids. He added: “He survived 45 missions and was meant to retire but I think he died on the 46th.”
The director made a Channel crossing in a small boat – like the famed Little Ships – with wife Emma, in the spirit of “re-enacting” that historic journey. “It was one of the most difficult and frankly dangerous feeling experiences I have ever had,” he said.
“I was grateful to get back in one piece and that was without people dropping bombs on us.
“The idea of doing it and knowing you are heading into a war zone is unthinkable really.
“By getting on a boat and making that trip you glimpse the bravery of the people who did it. It’s just a courageous thing for them to have done.”
Francis died aged 35, on November 4, 1944, and is buried at St Pierre Cemetery in Amiens, northern France.