Don Craggs - A Tribute

Donald Frederick Craggs
1939 - 2008

Donald Frederick Craggs was born in Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia on January 26^th 1939. After leaving school, he started a life on the seas with the Merchant Navy, ultimately gaining a Masters Ticket. On his retirement from the Merchant Navy he studied further on maritime issues at Kings College, in the UK. He then moved to Darwin in his native Australia where he lectured on maritime issues, and opened a Travel Agent and Restaurant.

A further move to Hong Kong found Don teaching English, and opening what was to became a world-renowned model shop, The World of Diecast. Whilst in Hong Kong he started the ABC (Asian Best Collection) business in 1999 producing highly detailed 1:76/4mm die-cast model buses, the like of which were quite revolutionary in their detail with features such as driver figurines, opening engine covers and poseable front wheels. Through no fault of his own, ABC foundered, and Don moved on to start the highly successful Britbus and Base-Toys businesses we are so familiar with today.

Don was a great friend to a huge number of model bus enthusiasts, and often corresponded with them enthusiastically. In the last few years of his life he had appeared promoting his models in Dublin, and at the UK Showbus bus rally, London Transport Museum's Acton Depot, London Bus Preservations Trust's Cobham Bus Museum's Annual Bus & Coach Gathering, and, most recently, London's North Weald Bus Rally in 2007.

His death on 9th March 2008 came as a huge shock to those who knew him and his models. His contribution to the die-cast world will be very sadly missed.

Don's Funeral Service and Burial took place at Fremantle Cemetery on 14th March 2008.