A great sportsman and much more
The multiplicity of skills demonstrated by Arthur Francis were among the greatest of all influences in my Lambretta career. Not only was he a great sportsman on two wheels, he was such a magnificent example to the young people of Watford when he formed the successful Ace of Herts scooter club.
He embraced technical knowledge on every Innocenti machine that came out of Milan. In addition, his business expertise enabled him to create one of the most remarkable sales and service organisations marketing the world's finest scooter.
Arthur and I worked closely together to achieve maximum public exposure for every new Lambretta model to enter the country. Even to the point when I set up my own advertising company, having left the Lambretta Concessionaires; I was promoting Arthur's new company, Two Four Accessories, selling not only scooters from Milan, but eventually from Serveta in Spain and ultimately from the government-sponsored Indian SIL company.
Because of his proven ability to improve on Lambretta performance and appearance, in so many ways Arthur's name will continue to be identified on the machines created from kits and spare parts that will be developed in enthusiasts' workshops in years to come. [Bob Wilkinson was general secretary of the British Lambretta Owners Association in 1963 which changed its name to Lambretta Club Great Britain. He then became publicity manager for the Lambretta Concessionaires before leaving in 1970 to form his own advertising agency].