Born to Jan and Michalina (nee Wojtaszek) on 8 November 1921 in Zastawie, Wolyn Province, Poland. The Germans invaded Poland from the west on 1 September 1939, and the Russians invaded from the east on 17 September 1939. They divided Poland between them. In the Russian-controlled area, the plan to ethnically-cleanse the area soon took effect with the first of four mass deportations to Siberia that were carried out in 1940 and 1941.

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In the weeks following the German and Soviet invasions of Poland in September 1939, Poles lived in terror, never knowing what would come next: fearing death, deportation [for there were many accounts from preceding generations of the deportation experience] or another prolonged period of diplomatic isolation and interruption of Polish freedom and independence. By the time the mass deportations of 1940-41 began, many Polish families had already braved the arrest by the Russians of an adult male relative.

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Through 1939-41, 1.5 million Poles were forcibly deported from Poland to exile in Soviet labour camps or agricultural collectives. In 1942 about 115,000 managed to flee during a brief 'amnesty' period. They eventually made their way to the Middle East where able-bodied men joined the Polish 2nd Corps under the leadership of Polish General Wladyslaw Anders and fought alongside the Allies. The civilian refugees lived a diasporic existence in India, New Zealand, Mexico, and Africa where through 1942-1950 about 19,000 displaced Poles Iived in 22 settlements. After the war, some repatriated to Poland, but most settled in the west, since Poland was then under Russian control.

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Henryk was 19 years old when he was deported by the Russians to the Jagwila Forced Labour Camp in Siberia with his family. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the P.A.L. (Light Artillery) of the 3rd Carpathian Rifles Brigade, of the Polish 2nd Corps. His service number was 3 DSK 1921/52. He served in the Middle East and in the Italian Campaign, from the battle of Monte Cassino to the Battle of Bologna.

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Henryk was awarded the following medals:

• Cross of Valour

• Monte Cassino Cross

• Italy Star

• Defence medal

• 1939-1945 War medal

• Polish Forces in the West medal

 

He married Ewa in 1947; they emigrated to Canada and raised two sons and a daughter.

 

Henryk passed away in Toronto on 19 October 2011 at the age of 90 years. He was buried at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Wellington County, Ontario.

 

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Copyright: Piotrowski family

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