Arthur Atkinson

Born in Manchester Arthur was a Grenadier Guard posted in Chad. A keen boxer he became forces champion in 1954 as well as winning many medals as a water polo player. Having left the Guards Arthur joined the French Foreign Legion and was active fighting in Angola. Eventually running away for civilian life he emigrated to Canada and set up a successful engineering business. In 1963 he took his family on a trip lasting 2 years around the United States eventually settling in Los Angeles where he worked as a "Repo Man" with the biggest agency in California. After many adventures he started his acting career as a stunt driver and extra. When Universal Studios announced they were making Beau Gueste Arthur was cast alongside major actors because of his previous career as a legionnaire. After many years in California the will to travel saw the family travel the USA for another 2 years visiting every mainland state and ending up in Vancouver for 2 years before traveling to Louisiana settling finally in New Orleans. During his travels Arthur met many characters ending up on the wrong side of he law and imprisoned in the notorious Louisiana State Prison. With no way out he escaped and after 3 years on the run arrived back in the UK where he was captured and locked up in Brixton Prison in London. Having successfully appealed his original conviction he was released and had a successful career in the Oil Industry in Saudi Arabia, Malasia and Sumatra. Arthur died in Manchester and was survived by his wife and 4 children