Thame war veteran, Arthur Staggs, 96, welcomed HRH Duke of Kent as he officially opened Meadowcroft, The Orders of St John Care Trust’s (OSJCT) new care home in Thame.

At the opening of the £4.6 million home on 16 October, Arthur, who received the Legion d’Honneur in recognition of his death-defying work as a secret agent in German occupied France, which led to his imprisonment and torture at the hands of the Gestapo, chatted to the Duke and showed him the photographs and medals on display in his room.

Arthur is one of only nine World War Two veterans to receive the Legion d’Honneur in 2005, the highest French Distinction awarded only to those who distinguished themselves through civilian or military valour.

He was a resident of the original Meadowcroft care home in Towersey Road before it was replaced by the new start of the art care facility which provides residential, nursing and dementia care for 71 residents from Thame and surrounding villages.

“I was thrilled to meet His Royal Highness today and show him my medals, photos and drawings, said Arthur.  ”We talked for a while and I found him to be a very distinguished and pleasant man.”

More than 80 guests attended the opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of the two-year project, including residents, staff, local dignitaries and executives from OSJCT and bpha, which, in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, form the Oxfordshire Care Partnership (OCP).