28/08/13 War time spy & Honorary Citizen of Thame dies aged 100

A THAME man who worked as a secret agent in German occupied France during World War II, has died, after a long and distinguished life.

Arthur Albert George Staggs, was born in 1912 in London but after his mother died when he was two years old, his father, who had joined the Royal Engineers in 1914 and was fighting in France, met and married a French woman who spoke no English. Arthur spent a year in France and attended an Ecole Maternelle becoming bilingual, a skill that was to save his life during interrogation by the Gestapo.

As a member of SOE during the war, Arthur underwent wireless training at Thame Park Radio School. After his very eventful and action-packed war, Arthur returned to England where he met and married Elizabeth Wickson and settled in Thame. Their daughter Anne was born in 1945. (Read more about Arthur’s remarkable and colourful life HERE)

Arthur was presented with his award as an Honorary Citizen of Thame in 2010, by Tim Stevenson, the then Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, during a special party held at Meadowcroft care home in Thame, where Arthur spent his last years. 

In May last year (2012), he was presented to HRH Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, when she accepted the Freedom of Entry to the town on behalf of RAF Halton.

Arthur was one of the great characters of Thame, regularly asking to be wheeled down to the town centre to meet the traders whenever a French market came to town, and was often the guest of honour at social occasions organised by the Thame and District Twinning Association, when guests from Thame’s twin town, Montesson, near Paris, were over for the weekend.

A statement from the town council reads: “Arthur will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and all those who knew him. 

“Although a time of sadness, we hope that the thoughts and memories of this outstanding individual and member of our community will bring comfort to all.”

Arthur enjoyed writing poetry and the following poem was used by Arthur as a code when contacting London or receiving messages:

For You Alone 

However busy I may be
Whenever we’re apart
There’s still a shine of memory
Deep down within my heart
Where I preserve your image dear
Forever to remain
And thoughts of you bring constant cheer
Until we meet again