Brian Crabb with his eldest grandchild Jack Nattress in August 2006.

Author Brian Crabb spent three years with Avonmouth Sea Cadet Corps, in TS Enterprise and many other shore establishments up and down the country. However, with the guidance of his parents, he settled into a five-year toolmaking apprenticeship at Bristol Aeroplane Company, Filton, which he completed in 1969. Within weeks of finishing, Brian received an offer from Elder & Fyffes, and joined SS Golfito at Southampton docks as a Junior (5th) engineer. His first trip took him to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad, Jamaica and Bermuda - the author thought he was in heaven. Brian's 2½ years of sea-time experience was also shared with Bristol City Line and Blue Star Line, enabling him to explore New Zealand, Pitcairn Island, the west coast of the United States, the east and west coasts of Canada, Panama, Curaçao (a Dutch island in the West Indies) and many European countries. Within days of finishing his employment with those companies, he found a job as a marine fitter, working on ships at Jefferies, a ship repair company owned by Charles Hill & Sons, at Avonmouth, followed by four years in maritime jobs in the Saudi Arabian ports of Jeddah and Ras Tanura.

In 1984 he began a successful business patrnership with Paul Arnold, until his retirement in 1995. Brian trades on his own in Clifton, Bristol. His writing career began a year after his father's untimely death in December 1991; it was undoubtedly the saddest day of his life. However, the special relationship that he had with his father, Percival Crabb, was the catalyst in his personal way of grieving his great friend. What transpired, too date, is four books, with a fifth, about Operation 'Pedestal' well on the way and due to be published in 2009/2010.

Brian is married and has two daughters and four grandchildren.

Brian with his grandchildren Tom, Lola, Harry and Jack - 8 June 2008.