Biography

Only son of John Edward Dell and Gertrude Flowers of Shoreham-On-Sea. Trained as an articled clerk in his father's law firm Dell & Loader before signing up for the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. He was eventually invalided out of the service after a aeroplane crash in training.

Trained as a solicitor, and practiced in Shoreham until getting his break with "Payment Deferred" in 1932. He had married Brenda Maude Cullum in 1924, having one son Richard Flowers Dell (1926-2008). Jeffrey and Brenda divorced in 1933. Jeffrey re-married to Eileen Weatherstone in 1934, divorcing again soon after. He married for a third time to Jill Craigie in 1938, and introduced her to the film world. Jill Craigie later divorced Jeffrey and married Michael Foot. Jeffrey married for a fourth time to Barbara Poxon (who had been his secretary) in 1948, and they had two daughters in 1953 and 1957.

In addition to his film and stage work, Jeffrey wrote three novels: "Nobody Ordered Wolves", "News From Heaven" and "The Hoffman Factor".

Lived at Chase Farm, Haslemere, and later at Bridge Cottage, Liphook until his death in 1985. Buried at Haslemere.