VANCOUVER - To the people of Saltspring Island, B.C., he was an avid gardener and former banker, who lived a quiet life with his wife and children.
But records recently released by the British National Archives reveal Eric Roberts was an Mi5 agent whose wartime heroics uncovered hundreds of Nazi sympathizers in England.
Using the code name Jack King, the unassuming bank manager posed as an undercover Gestapo agent and intercepted secret information meant to aid the Nazis.
He is also believed to be one of the inspirations for spy writer John Le Carre's character George Smiley.
His daughter, Christa McDonald of Qualicum Beach, B.C., says he was a humble man and a great father.
McDonald says she and her brother are pleased their father, who died in 1972, is receiving some recognition for what he did for his country.
