Bond boffin ‘Q’ based on war lifesaver

The man who inspired the James Bond ‘Q’ character was a committed Christian whose ingenious wartime work is credited with saving thousands of Allied lives.

Charles Fraser-Smith worked as a missionary in North Africa until World War II broke out.

“When the war started I felt I had already found my calling,” said Fraser-Smith. “I was 36, married, with a young family and living very far from Whitehall, in Leeds. I had been in North Africa for years and we expected to stay. We did missionary work as well as running two farms and an orphanage. I very much enjoyed the problem-solving element of farming. 

“However, Hitler’s invasion of France changed all that.”

With his children and wife Blanche, Fraser-Smith returned to Britain, where his life took an unusual turn.

“The Open Brethren church was at the centre of our lives and one evening I was asked to give a talk to the congregation about my work in Morocco. I gave my usual talk, explaining some of the unusual techniques I devised for improving agricultural yield.

“At the end of my talk, two gentlemen – both committed Christians – who happened to have a major role in Britain’s war effort, approached me. Richie Rice was the director of the ministry of supply in the city of Leeds . The next day I received a message to pop by Rice’s office. He said that he was impressed by my initiative and inventiveness and he was looking for someone with those qualities to work in his department.

… story continues