John Gardner
Born in 1926, the son of a school chaplain, John Gardner had childhood dreams of becoming a writer. He joined the Royal Marines after transferring from the Navy in 1945 and completed basic training at Deal. After a weapons course he completed the Commando course at Towyn; he states that although his time in the Corps was not long he marked it as the period during which he became a man.

After he was demobbed in 1947, John soon realised his childhood ambition and became a writer of mystery and spy novels. His ability brought him to the attention of the licensed copy holders of James Bond books who persuaded him to continue Ian Flemming's work. All told, he wrote sixteen James Bond novels. Today he is still writing.