Ceremony honours Polish heroes

Kyt · May 12, 2009

Ceremony honours the Polish heroes (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

More than 60 years after thousands of Polish troops died fighting for the Allies in the Second World War, a memorial to their sacrifice is being unveiled tomorrow in Bradford.

Wreaths will also being laid at a ceremony at Bradford Cenotaph at 11am.

Only a small number of the servicemen who fought in Europe and the Far East are due to be present, among them old soldiers who settled in Bradford after the war.

They are being accompanied by other members of Bradford Polish Veterans’ Association and civic representatives.

The wreaths have been made by Jim Hartley, of Bradley, near Skipton, who has forged links with the Bradford Polish community after helping to set up a memorial to Polish airman who crashed at Bradley Forge, in 1943.

After the ceremony, the veterans and their carers and other members of the former combatant group, will be treated to a reception and lunch in City Hall.

on Wednesday they will travel to Monte Cassino, in Italy, the site of one of the Polish 2nd Corps’ greatest triumphs.

Polish troops took part in the fourth battle of Monte Cassino, between May 11 and 18, 1944, which ended with them capturing the hill and enabling the Allied forces to reach the road to Rome.

The plaque includes a relief carving of the Polish eagle and a dedication to the combatants who gave their lives alongside the Allies and to those who stayed in Britain after the conflict.

Romana Pizon, of the Polish Veterans’ Association, who lives in Baildon and helped arrange the ceremony, said: “It will be a very moving occasion for everyone. Of, course there are fewer and fewer of these former combatants as the years go by.

“Seventy years after the start of the war I didn’t think anything like this would happen. Nevertheless, it is better late than never and we are very grateful to Bradford Council. I feel so honoured to be a part of it and proud of our history and the contribution of Polish people.”
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