Don Hale Blog

Buster Crabb was author Ian Fleming's favourite spy and the real inspiration for his fictional character JAMES BOND. 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. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 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. 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...

  THE LIBERATION OF JERSEY & WARTIME SECRETS:  Some compelling wartime memories from three remarkable men...by Don Hale.   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 New paperback book. Available on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/3Keb4Jw The Jersey Boys and Liberation!   Some compelling wartime memories from three remarkable men...  Now available from Amazon in paperback, ebook or audio versions: Special Coast and Country online magazine feature... Amazon audio book:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2HQ2VN4 Paperback:  https://amzn.to/3Keb4Jw Kindle ebook:  https://amzn.to/46ew7TP This is the true story of two remarkable Jersey Boys, and an eventual Liberator, who were all teenagers at the start of World War Two, but soon became embroiled in a variety of dramatic events following the Occupation of Jersey in the Channel Islands by German Forces during 1940-45. Joe  Miére  (* pictured above ), was a constant thorn in the side of the Nazi invaders and ...

*Tristan Owen and his wife Kelly (*above) on the prom in Llandudno. Tom Owen and Son is a highly successful and long-established funeral business with amazing links to the Enigma Code and the stars of Coronation Street. Special Community Feature Story by Don Hale.   The firm is one of the oldest independent funeral directors in both Llandudno and the surrounding areas, and is the only company recognised by the Good Funeral Guide in the whole of North Wales. The company has continued to set the pace for decades with their high standards, and numerous innovations throughout this period. The business is now run by Tristan Owen, a fourth-generation family member, and his wife Kelly, who took over the helm at this highly successful enterprise over two-years ago. They remain determined to continue the legacy of its founder, who helped to shape the way the company has evolved over the past 90-plus years and  have become the energetic new faces of this respected long-established busin...