8. September 2001
Mary Agnew Returned
Eddie's War Bride on September 2001
Kept away for health reasons the day of the inauguration of ”Major E. G. Styffe” street on May 8th, 2001, Mary Agnew insisted on taking the journey from Canada to Maiziéres in September. It was a journey of memories and encounters that brought the village of Maiziéres closer to the Styffe family.
On May 8th, 2001, the municipality of Maiziéres unveiled a plaque bearing the name of a Canadian army officer Major Edward Styffe. Posted to the south of England during the Second World War, Major Styffe married Mary, a young Canadian woman, who, like him, had joined the army to fight against Hitler’s Nazi Germany. In the summer of 1944, both of them landed on the shores of Normandy. He, in July, with his regiment, “The Lake Superior”, which was to participate in the battle of Laizon. She was with the medical corps of the Canadian army with which she served until may 1945 as a surgical nurse. Four months after his wedding, as he reached the heights of Maizieres at the head of his unit, Major Styffe fell under enemy fire and was killed.
Today, the inhabitants of Maiziéres know the story very well. Buried under 55 years of memories, the story was unearthed a little , when the municipality decided to give a name to the main street of the village.
On may the 8th 2001, in the presence of a Canadian delegation, Maiziéres officially named its main street after the major, thus making him a permanent resident of the village. A powerful and exceptional moment for the inhabitants of the village, which Mary, unfortunately, was not able to experience until her return in September.
She accepted this journey of remembrance with great dignity. Accompanied by her niece Elizabeth, Mary finally arrived in Maiziéres for stay of several days, which allowed her, above all, “to meet the people, she and her family had been in contact with for more than a year”. “A crowd of new friends who showed her sincere and true friendship”.
Recalling “Normandy, its history, its beauty, its legitimate pride, it’s tragedies”, Mary goes back home with the firm belief she ” met people stronger than ever, endowed with a will which permitted themto overcome hardships”, people such as Mareel and Bernard Levernieux ” who took care of the temporary grave of Eddie. After an interval of 56 years, we are reunited and I will never forget the warmth and kindness they showed to Bert, Eddie’s brother, and myself. Eddie would be very grateful for what you did for him and the other Canadian soldiers”, she added.
In turn, her niece Elizabeth, who had already made the journey in May, tells the audience about this “particular situation of finding oneself in Maiziéres, where the municipality, the committee Styffe, the host families and many others had worked with devotion to welcome us. ” Today, you adopted Mary and me with the same solicitude and the same kindness”. Speaking of ”the honor of being here, of intense emotions, of privileges, of unforgettable days”, Elizabeth acknowledged “she was lucky to get to know Mary, and thus, become more deeply aware of what links her to Eddie. I will always cherish this as a treasure”. And, addressing the small group of friends surrounding both of them. ”Let it be known that we would be happy to welcome you in our houses and towns. To all those among you who would like to visit Canada, we would welcome you with the same warmth you offered us”.
The story of Major Styffe and Mary will not fade away in Maiziéres, as long as there are women and men to perpetuate the memory and sacrifice of Canadian soldiers.
“Really charming people” to repeat the turn of phrase used by mayor Mare Alexis, who we may find, in the near future, at the head of a delegation walking the streets of King City or Toronto, with Mary and Elizabeth…