Mr Fraser, 82, lived in Baldrine,

He was best know for writing the Flashman series of 12 books based on a character who first appeared in the Thomas Hughes book Tom Brown's Schooldays.

Pay your tributes to George MacDonald Fraser here.

YOUR TRIBUTES

Oh no! I have been pacing myself through the Flashman series knowing there were only a dozen or so books. I treated myself to number 7 over Christmas. It's really sad that there won't be any more. GMF was clearly a brilliant writer.
TIM ROBERTS

My wife, Paulette, and I have been great fans of George M. Fraser since 1982. In 1985, when planning a trip to the U.K., we wrote to Fraser and asked if he would receive us as visitors. Just days before we departed, we received his letter welcoming us total strangers and setting up a date (my birthday!) and a time to visit. He also gave us his personal home phone number to use to ensure that our visit would go as planned. We still have all that correspondence, something very special from those pre-email days. George and his wife Kath were ready and waiting for us at the Castletown Golf Links Hotel at the southern end of I.O.M. and literally welcomed us with open arms! I was expecting to spend the bulk of the time with him and Kath asking about the Flashman character, his writing style, and about himself. But we actually discussed our doings more than their own. George and Kath were particularly interested in hearing about my cerebral palsied brother and the great success my brother has made of his life. It was like meeting friends of my parents for the first time and catching up on everything. We did, however, learn that one of his writing tactics was to always visit the locations he had to include in a Flashman novel, to "sniff the air", as he put it. He talked at length about how much he enjoyed America (we are from Oregon). One of his favorite things to do was to visit almost anywhere in the west, rent a large convertible car (preferrably a Cadillac), and drive the open road, listening to country-western music while smoking a cigar! I brought my collection of paperback Flashman novels, all of which he signed with best wishes to me and my wife and which we treasure. He wrote several more novels after that, all of which purchased and mailed to him and which he returned at his own expense with the same kind inscriptions.
We have returned to U.K. several times since then, but sadly did not get to meet with him again, to our great regret. We envy his children and grandchildren having such warm and caring parents/grandparents, and to have someone to visit on the charming and beautiful Isle of Man! Our sincerest condolences and best wishes go to his family.
Fondly, LARRY and PAULETTE FILZ, Portland, Oregon


George McDonald Fraser has entertained me for years with his tales of Flashman. It is a sad loss to our Island and the literary world at large. The concept of following the life and career of a bully and making it so entertaining took a measure of genius. But more poignant are Mr. Fraser's memoirs of his own experiences in Burma's Forgotten Army – the 14th Army - as a member of a Borders' regiment. I recommend them to all. Rest in Peace GM and thank you for everything.
TONY WRIGHT