The grave of the James Bond author Ian Fleming has been vandalised at St James' Church, Sevenhampton, in Wiltshire, UK.

Footage from Sunday (January 10) shows the plaque to Fleming, inscribed "Omnia perfunctus vitae praemia marces" — "having enjoyed life's prizes, you now decay" torn out.

There are fears it may have been stolen by a fan of the Bond series and that it may never be returned.

"It occurs to me that this could be the work of either a fan, wanting an Ian Fleming plaque for their collection, or an enemy of Bond - someone who sees this desecration as a way of finally beating Bond," Matt Holland, who runs a local literature and arts festival, told The Times.

The 007 writer, who shot to global fame, died from a heart attack in 1964 aged 56. His wife Ann, and their only child Caspar, are also buried in the graveyard.

Graham Carter from Swindon Heritage said: "You have to be an especially low kind of person to desecrate a grave, for whatever reason. It’s important that people who deserve to be remembered are remembered, which means we all have a duty to preserve their memory. So I hope those responsible do the right thing and return it, and learn from their mistake.".

Justin Tomlinson, MP for the area said: "Our local community is very proud of our connection to Ian Fleming and we won't let this dreadful, mindless act undermine this".

The Fleming family is planning to replace the plaque.

The grave of the James Bond author Ian Fleming has been vandalised.

Ian's grave is in the grounds of St James' Church in Sevenhampton, Wiltshire near the market town of Highworth.

Part of the obelisk which has been removed contained an inscribed plaque which read 'Omnia perfunctus vitae praemia marces' — 'having enjoyed life's prizes, you now decay'.

Ian Fleming died from a heart attack in 1964 at the age of 56. His wife Ann, and their only child Caspar, are also buried in the graveyard.

The graveyard is just a stones throw from Warneford Place and estate which Fleming relocated to after completing the Bond novels. It was here he penned 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. The estate is now the home of Formula One motor racing tycoon Paddy McNally.

Speaking to me today, Graham Carter from Swindon Heritage said "You have to be an especially low kind of person to desecrate a grave, for whatever reason. It’s important that people who deserve to be remembered are remembered, which means we all have a duty to preserve their memory. So I hope those responsible do the right thing and return it, and learn from their mistake.".


Justin Tomlinson, MP for the area told me "Our local community is very proud of our connection to Ian Fleming and we won't let this dreadful, mindless act undermine this".


The Fleming family have informed me that they're planning to replace the plaque. I would be very interested in covering this story moving forward.