Peter Fleming was a distinguished writer: special correspondent for The Times, columnist and reviewer for the Spectator, author of travel books before the war, and historical works after. He was the older brother of Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.

Educated at Eton College and Oxford, Peter Fleming was editor of the Eton College Chronicle, and also Isis at Oxford. He joined the Spectator as literary editor shortly after leaving Oxford, and it was from there at the age of 24 that he replied to an advertisement: ‘Exploring and sporting expedition leaving England June, to explore rivers Central Brazil, if possible ascertain fate of Colonel Fawcett.’

During World War II, Fleming served initially with the Grenadier Guards before being commissioned to help establish the auxiliary units that would fight on, behind enemy lines, in the event of invasion by Germany. Invasion 1940 (also called Operation Sealion) was his account of those plans. His principal service, however, from 1942 to the end of the war, was as head of ‘D’ Division, in charge of military deception operations in Southeast Asia.

During the 1950s and 1960s Fleming returned to journalism with a column in the Spectator, a frequent contributor of the light-hearted Fourth Leader for The Times, and much else. He wrote accounts of specific historical events that had taken place in lands through which he had travelled. As Dr Nitt-Pick, he gave his brother Ian stylistic advice on his new James Bond novels.

He inherited from his grandfather, Robert Fleming, founder of the London merchant bank of that name, land in Oxfordshire, and he became closely involved in the care and upkeep of the farm and the woodland. He was at work on a history of deception in the second world war when he died suddenly of a heart attack, seven years after his brother, Ian.

Two travel books

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Above: Peter Fleming in the 1930s.