Germain Frantz was born in Dudelange on 8 May 1921. He completed his secondary education at Athénée de Luxembourg before embarking on a military training in London and at the Ecole Royale Militaire in Brussels.
During World War II, Frantz was forcefully enrolled into the German Army at the age of 21. However, in 1944, he deserted the Nazi forces and hid with a group of 120 young Luxembourgish men in a mine in Niderkorn. Frantz later wrote about his war experiences in an autobiography, entitled “Nie wieder” (“Never again”).
Frantz was appointed Aid to the Court in 1951 and filled that role until 1976. After his retirement from the military, he continued to serve Grand Duke Jean as Chamberlain.
Frantz passed away at the age of 100 on 2 February this year. A commemorative mass for the deceased will be held at the “Parkierch” in Dudelange on Friday.
