29/08/13 Thame Twinning Chair pays tribute to Arthur Staggs

THE Chair of the Thame & District Twinning Association, and friend to Arthur Staggs, who has died at the age of 100 years, has today paid tribute to the late Honorary Citizen of Thame.

Jeannette Matelot Green, herself like Arthur was, half French, is also a former Mayor of Thame and the current Deputy Mayor. She said: 

“Lieutenant Arthur Staggs will be remembered with awe and admiration for his brave record fighting with the Resistance. He was a great asset to the twinning association.

“Our French friends from Montesson loved to talk to Arthur and felt honoured to meet someone with a Legion d’Honneur. Arthur would say that, yes, he was English, but his heart was French. Arthur loved to converse in French at every opportunity, speaking to sixth form students at Aylesbury Grammar or helping French conversation classes. 

“He used his Gallic charm to win over all the ladies he met. He will be so sadly missed, but remembered as a hero who lived for a hundred years.”

PHOTO: The late Arthur Staggs, proudly wearing his Legion d’Honneur, when he attended a meeting of Thame Rotary back in January.