Senior Lancer Franciszk Ruszkowski was a soldier of the 24th Ulan Regiment and the father of Hedwiga Ruszkowski – a member of the Association of Families of the 1st Polish Armored Division. For many years, together with her husband Karlos Lakiere, actively participates in commemorating the war history of her father and the soldiers of the 1st Armored Division in Roeselare and Flanders. 

 

Franciszek Ruszkowski was born on 1 December 1920 in the town of Pece near Starogard Pomorski, Poland. He was the eldest son of Wincenty and Anna (nee Wolcow). In 1928, the family emigrated to Thalange - Hagondange in the Metz region of France. Franciszek graduated from elementary school in 1934 in Hagondang. His father died in 1936, which caused him to take up a job in a factory in Sacolar.

 

On 9 June 1940 he was incorporated into the Polish Armed Forces near Coëtquidan, France, joining the 7th Infantry Regiment. When France fell, he evacuated to Great Britain (Scotland) with the 7th Infantry Regiment.

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On 17 July 1940, he was assigned to the 24th Lancers Regiment. He took driving and tank operation courses and obtained an English driving license for cars and motorcycles.

 

In the first days of August 1944. together with the regiment he took part in the evacuation to the continent at Arromanches - Courseuilles. During the war, he was a Sherman tank driver in the 24th Lancers Regiment of the 1st Polish Armored Division. On 27 August 1946 he was promoted to the rank of Senior Lancer.

 

Together with the 24th Lancers Regiment, he liberated parts of France, Belgium, Netherlands, and completed the battle trail in Wilhemshaven, Germany. He was part of the occupation forces in Germany and was then demobilized on 30 August 1946 in Quakenbruck, Germany.

 

He was awarded:

• the Army Medal

• the 1939-45 Star

• the French and German Star

• the Defense Medal

• the Diploma of the Polish Armed Forces

 

After the liberation of Hooglede-Gits-Roeselare on 7 September 1944, he met a lovely girl Rosa Verbeke and they were married on 5 July 1945. After the war he worked in various industries (including cars) at Roeselare. The marriage was very happy. They had 4 children: Hedwige, John, Jenny, and Jean-Pierre and 3 of them still live in the Roeselare region.

 

Franciszek passed away on 9 January 1991 at the age of 71 years.

 

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Copyright: Ruszkowski family

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