A former Army and Merchant Navy veteran has been left ‘devastated’ after missing out on his dream holiday and losing £800 – because he’s not a British citizen.
Kevin Dalton, of Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury, was due to travel to New York last Friday with his son Michael and daughter Karen as a belated 70th birthday present.
But when he arrived at Manchester Airport he was turned away as, according to his passport, he is a British subject, not a citizen, and needed a visa to travel.
His family are set to discuss their next move in an attempt to reclaim the £800 spent on booking the trip after Michael and Karen returned from the five-day break on Tuesday.
Kevin, who is better known as town comedian Danny Dalton, had renewed his passport only two months beforehand. The trip had been booked through internet site expedia.co.uk and the group was due to fly with Continental Airlines.
Mr Dalton was born in Dublin and moved to Shrewsbury when he was four months old. He has previously travelled with the military to the Middle East, Singapore and the Caribbean without problems, and also received the Active Service Medal for his time with the Royal Army Service Corps in Cyprus.
Mr Dalton said: “When I got to the check-in desk I was told I was a British subject and would need a visa and they wouldn’t let me on the plane. I was told if I got on I wouldn’t be allowed into America at the other end.
“I’m devastated by it – I had renewed my passport and not been made aware of this. I was really annoyed to lose the money too.
“I’m a big Sinatra fan and was looking forward to seeing the tours. I’ve been getting quite a bit of stick for it from friends – when I walked in one pub they had New York New York’ playing on the jukebox.”
Frances Tuke, press spokesperson for ABTA – The Travel Association, said: “If people book with a travel agent they will check all details with visas and passports. It’s something you do lose out on if you book on the internet.”
