November is a month when we remember those who sacrificed their lives during WWI and WWII in UK, Poland, and all over the world. For the Polish community this date holds an additional significance as it also marks the rebirth of Poland known as II Rzeczpospolita (Second Polish Republic) as in November 1918 Poland regained its freedom after 123 years of partitioning and being wiped off the map of Europe.
Our project interviewees have many vivid memories of their childhood marred by the WWII and seeing their dreams shattered. Despite this, along with many other members of their community, they have gone on to achieve and rebuild their lives, proving that one can turn adversity into strength. We remember this and we pay tribute to their fortitude by visiting the graves of the Polish Armed Forces and their families who were laid to rest at the Stratford on Avon Cemetery.
Thanks to help and amazing guidance from one of our interviewees, Teresa Franczuk, the children from Polish GCSE class at Polish Saturday have
learnt about the local Polish resettlement camps, the fortitude of its people, displacement, love, separation, hard work and ingenuity of the Polish community. The members of the Polish troops, unable to return to their homeland for fear of harsh reprisals from the communist government, created their new home away from home in Stratford upon Avon, contributing to the local economy, social and cultural life. One of the deceased was awarded The War Order of Virtuti Militari - Poland's highest military decoration for heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war…
The children laid flowers and lit candles to remember the heroic and colourful history of the past members of the Polish community. Thank you very much to Monika Pawlowska and Ola Wojniusz from the Polish Saturday School for supporting this wonderful initiative.
Photos: Aleksandra Wojniusz
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