Audio Transcript​

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Did you know James Bond was from Winnipeg?

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Sir William S Stephenson, code name Intrepid, whose secret service number began with 7007, was a huge part of Ian Fleming’s inspiration in writing his famous "Agent 007’s" character.

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Fleming served with Stephenson and once described him as “one of the great secret agents” with “the quality of making anyone ready to follow him to the ends of the earth.”

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Stephenson’s amazing military career also inspired the movie and then later the TV mini-series, "A Man Called Intrepid".

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US President Reagan said of him "Your career through World War I, World War II, and the postwar years adds up to one of the great legends, one of the great stories of personal valor and sacrifice for the sake of country and fellow man. -- All those who love freedom owe you a debt of gratitude -- there will be a special place in our hearts, our minds, and our history books for the 'Man Called Intrepid.'

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To those with whom he served, though, he was simply “the quiet Canadian”.