BUSTER CRABB - Ian Fleming's favourite Spy, and the real inspiration for JAMES BOND

By Don Hale

BUSTER CRABB - Ian Fleming's favourite Spy, and the real inspiration for JAMES BOND

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/perryscope21/list/20BXI4QYOHX60?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_list_d

LIONEL 'BUSTER' CRABB was a drinker, a gambler, a womaniser and a lover of fast cars and gadgets. On top of all that, he was a spy, an acquaintance of Ian Fleming and the inspiration for James Bond.


This latest book, BUSTER CRABB, published by the History Press, this is the fascinating story of Buster Crabb, the naval spy who disappeared in bizarre circumstances in 1956. Entitled - Buster Crabb - Ian Fleming's favourite spy and the inspiration for James Bond, was released in Spring 2020 - originally to coincide with the launch of the new Bond film - which was later delayed due to the Covid-19 restrictions.


Ian Fleming and above is the front cover of this new and exciting spy story.

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/perryscope21/list/20BXI4QYOHX60?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_list_d


A British naval frogman and bomb disposal expert, Crabb worked directly under Fleming during the Second World War at Naval Intelligence and went on to conduct covert operations for both SIS and MI5. Elements from Crabb's dangerous missions and eccentric lifestyle were later incorporated into Fleming's novels. His inventions sparked the role of Q; Miss Moneypenny was based on Crabb's aunt, Kitty Jarvis; and his underwater battle with enemy divers became a crucial scene in Thunderball. 


                Buster Crabb - worked under Ian Fleming - and became his favourite spy

During a secret drive beneath a Russian warship in 1957, Crabb disappeared without a trace. One year later, a decapitated and handless body was found, sparking a major row between the government, the secret services and the Admiralty that still smoulders today.


                         The late Sean Connery as James Bond.

About the Author

Don Hale is an author and a former investigative journalist who has written many books about a host of varied subjects. A former professional footballer, Don was also a journalist for over 40 years and was the editor of about five regional newspapers. He won a number of regional and national awards during his career including the 'Journalist of the Year' prize on three separate occasions including the prestigious 'What the Papers Say' award. In 2001 he was also the Observer 'Man of the Year,' as voted for by the Sunday newspaper's readers. 

SHERLOCK HOLMES and the Ghost Ship Mystery - which is an inquiry into the controversial role of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Don Hale is a former award winning investigative journalist and now a best-selling author who has created a very popular blog post linked to numerous social media sites. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025.

Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments are welcomed

Most recent posts

Nearly 4,000 runners tackled the Conwy half-marathon.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - some members from NWRRC are shown near the start. Nearly 4,000 runners tackled the Conwy half-marathon. Report by Don Hale . Photos by Pat Finnie and others. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Conwy half marathon attracted  nearly 4,000  mixed ability athletes from all across the UK to a most challenging race from Conwy Quay and then around the Great Orme and back ,  and despite  a cold  and often blustery  wind , many still recorded some excellent times. Crowds lined the majority of  the route and they were aided by numerous partially closed roads, which helped to create a tremendous carnival-type party atmosphere en-route.  Andrew Davies  (Malden Harriers) was the eventual winner of this prestigious race well organised by RunWales, in just 1 hour 8 minutes and 56 seconds.  He was followed by  Harry Lupton  (Liverpool Harriers) in 1.13.00, and  Matthew Crehan  (St Helens) in 1.13.57.  In 4th pl...
Read more

Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k 2026 - entries now open

By Don Hale
Image
 *Pictured above - Helen Hannam at the finish of the 2025 T win Piers 10k race Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k 2026 Held under UK Athletic Rules. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Race Headquarters:  Race Finish Near Porth Eirias towards Old Colwyn on Promenade LL29 8HH Transport to start @ 12.15pm prompt from Race HQ on Promenade for 1pm start from Llandudno Pier. Medals to all finishers CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES 10th JANUARY 2026 NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED ON THE DAY): Entries can be made via the link below: https://colwynbayac.niftyentries.com/Arthur-Bebbington-Twin-Piers-10k-2026?fbclid=IwY2xjawOMDshleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBVc0xSbkEzaDdhaVo3WHEwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm4CmICiaMknR3YcQonjcy7QdN20xBkZp-xnDT-ybOy8jHz6UOmgInu5szD7_aem_ySSqcdIZUuEms1tJUnsqvA#entryoptions PRIZE CATEGORIES Male - 1xU20,3xSM,3xV35,3xV40,3xV45,3xV50,3xV55,3xV60,1xV65,1xV70,1xV75,1xV80 Female- 1xU20,3xSF,3xV35,3xV40,3xV45,3xV50,3xV55,3xV60,1xV65,1xV70,1xV75,1xV80 The Tom Watson Memorial Tr...
Read more

Mark Davies bravely completed the Conwy half-marathon for Headway charity.

By Don Hale
Image
Mark Davies bravely completed the Conwy half-marathon. Special report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Former fell and mountain champion racer Mark Davies put in a tremendous display of true grit and determination last Sunday as he tackled the gruelling Conwy half marathon, barely two years after receiving life-threatening injuries as a hit and run victim. Mark is an award winning multi-athlete who has spent all his time since the accident trying to re-build his life and his body after such horrific injuries and has gradually been able to take part in some local parkruns. Although a long way from his previous fitness regime, he decided to try and gradually increase his training mileage over recent months with the aim of running the Conwy half to help fundraise for Headway, the brain injury charity association, that has helped him to partially recover from his ordeal. Mark bravely ran the 13-mile plus route from Conwy Quay to Llandudno and then around the Great Orme and back t...
Read more

Llandudno Lions Boxing Day Sea Dip for local charities - entries now open.

By Don Hale
Image
Llandudno Lions Boxing Day Sea Dip for local charities - entries now open...all funds for deserving local charities... donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 The Lions Club of Llandudno have just announced the details about their annual Boxing Day Sea Dip in association with St George's Hotel on Tuesday 26th December, and entries are now open! The check in will be at 10am ready to go into the water at 11.30am (tide permitting). One of the organisers, John Chambers , suggests that suitable footwear should be worn and all the proceeds will go towards Alaw Ward (Cancer Ward) at Ysbyty Gwynedd, and local Lions Charities. John added: "This is a unique chance to raise funds for a deserving cause of your choice and to help Llandudno Lions Club. All registered swimmers will also receive a special certificate memento of the event, and prizes will also be awarded for Fancy Dress." *Entries for the Lions Club of Lland udno Boxing Day Dip are NOW OPEN. Please use link below FREE to ENTER. Ple...
Read more

Welsh Inter Regional Cross Country - Dolerw Park, Newtown 29th November.

By Don Hale
Image
Welsh Inter Regional Cross Country fixture at Newtown. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Report courtesy of Bernie Jones (NW XC League secretary). Please find below the timetable and course maps for the Welsh Inter Regional Cross Country at Dolerw Park, Newtown, on Saturday 29 November . As usual we will have the North Wales gazebo in situe from about 9am and you will be able to collect your race numbers from the gazebo. Don’t forget you need your North Wales vest to race in.
Read more

Next North Wales Cross Country League fixture at Bala

By Don Hale
Image
Next North Wales Cross Country League fixture at Bala Note from Tom Roberts about this weekends XC fixture. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Round 3 Y Bala. The next NW CX League fixture will be at BALA. Car parking is at the Green LL23 7NG, make sure you pay for parking. Toilets are also at this location. The fields are a 5-minute walk from the car park.  Do not try and park closer to the fields. Loads of space for gazebos on the side of the course. The route is a flat course but challenging, there’s a smooth compacted track roughly 150 meters that will take a spike.  Approx distances of the routes are shown below.   We are very lucky to have permission to host this race please respect the fields, ideally do warm ups and cool down on the trail opposite the race fields. Hope you enjoy the race. Diolch
Read more

Back to the ‘splash and dash’ at Conwy as Storm Claudia strikes - plus parkrun results round-ups.

By Don Hale
Image
*Kay Hatton (*above) with others at the rather wet finish area at Conwy parkrun. Back to the ‘splash and dash’ at Conwy as Storm Claudia strikes. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Pat Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025     What a difference a week makes   as  Storm Claudia  replac ed  the previous Saturday’s bright sunshine ,   bringing 24-hours of  heavy rain ,  and  causing extreme  flooding  to many 5k parkrun courses ,  forcing several event cancellations  throughout the region.   Conwy  parkrun  somehow survived  but   it  brought an  unwelcome return of the old ‘splash and dash’ riverside rou te with atrocious conditions underfoot.   Despite the weather issues,  and a large influx of visiting athletes ready for the Conwy half-marathon on Sunday,  Rowan Poot  still managed a new PB  as the first finisher  in just 16 minutes and 32 seconds , with...
Read more

The future of Parkrun - An open letter from World Athletics President Sebastian Coe

By Don Hale
Image
An open letter from World Athletics President Sebastian Coe in support of Parkrun. As much as I have always felt that sport is an incredible force for good, I know that it also provides an opportunity to heal: to make us better. Coronavirus has left us with deep physical and emotional scars. I have been inspired by the ingenuity and creativity of so many people over the course of the pandemic. Individuals and communities finding hope, laughter and positivity in the darkest of times. But there is no escaping the fact that the events of the past twelve months have been devastating in so many ways. Of particular concern to me is the fact that inequalities in health and wellbeing have been exacerbated. We desperately need to find ways of getting fitter, stronger and more resilient. And we need to do it in a way that embraces and includes as much of the population as possible. As we tentatively look forward, and take those first steps back to normality, grassroots sport can, if we let it, o...
Read more

Surgery pair Emily and Sarah complete their amazing 100k Sahara Desert Trek for St David’s Hospice.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - Practice nurse Emily Carr and Practice manager Sarah  Corkish-Brown are shown at the end of their charity trek. Surgery pair Emily and Sarah complete their amazing 100k Sahara Desert Trek for St David’s Hospice. Exclusive  report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Two determined members of the hard-working Bodreinallt doctors' surgery team at Conwy have just completed their extraordinary 100k Sahara Desert Trek and helped to raise  over £42,000 so far for St David’s Hospice. Practice manager  Sarah Corkish-Brown and Practice Nurse Emily Carr  signed up for this huge undertaking some time ago and finally celebrated their success over the past couple of days, and were part of a group that fundraised for this essential local organisation. The trek organisers claimed that entrants would ‘r ediscover true adventure in the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert.’ Their five-day trek covered 100km passing through Morocco’s forbidding landscape...
Read more

British and Welsh Karate Champion Ioan Beards set for top international date in Venice.

By Don Hale
Image
* Welsh karate champion Ioan Beards (*above) promotes the Italian event. British and Welsh Karate Champion Ioan Beards set for top international date in Venice... Special report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Ioan Beards is an award-winning teenage Karate champion from Deganwy, in North Wales, who is all set to take part next month in the Parakarate Cup Championships, which is a prestigious international tournament, being staged in the stunning Italian City of Venice.   This talented and inspirational 16-year-old will be competing in the  Autism category , and he is already both the Welsh and British champion, and has high hopes of further success on 3rd December, but realises he will face some stiff competition from many keen rivals.   Ioan’s event will be held at the  Palazzo Turismo,  which is the location of the ‘Karatei Youth League,’ at Jesolo, Venice, and this latest venture follows hot on the heels of his recent victory as the British Champio...
Read more