Drexel Deere 'Drex' Ellis is an agent with MI-6.
Mostly. A bit with American Intelligence as well, in those early days of World War II before the OSS was established. And not a little bit working on his own as well.
Ellis was employed as a newspaper photographer in France for two years until the German invasion of France in 1940 made staying in that country less than advisable. He and his pal, Jack had made their way somewhat perilously to Tangier where Ellis figured the two would land for while and enjoy life. Then Jack, who was in the U.S. Army Reserves, was called back to active service and Ellis was alone and soon a bit bored.
He found in Gibraltar a surplus (I believe) patrol boat and used some of his funds (of which he indicated he had a good amount available) to refurbish it. His love of and knowledge of boats was extensive but what his plan for it was exactly is unclear though the use that MI-6 found for him to use it soon appeared. With the fall of France, a lot of French pilots who did not want to serve the puppet government of Vichy needed a way to get to where the British would welcome their skills fighting the Germans. Ellis began a series of high-speed smuggling of these pilots out of Spain to the British territory.
When America was attacked and then entered the conflict in Europe, Ellis contacted his pal Jack to see if Jack could help him get a commission in the Navy to join the fight. Jack, now with Military Intelligence, realized what a terrific asset was already in theater to work for them. And MI-6, of course, was not done with finding things for Ellis to do for them.
Ellis was to become a very busy man.
Good Line:
- "Bickering over two sides of the same coin."
- Regarding his dislike of flying, "He'd tinkered with all sorts of motors since childhood and never knew a boat, or car, or lawnmower engine that hadn't suddenly crapped out for any one of a hundred stupid reasons."