
Personal memoirs
Learn the history through personal stories
Published with the kind permission of the authors
or their families.

Helena ANTOLAK- Deported to Archangielsk region, Lalsk area (Khrystoforov, 16th station), with her parents, sister, and brother. Her father later died in Kermine, and the rest of the family were sent to Ifundi in East Africa. Helena later joined the Women';s Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps and worked in a hospital in Scotland. After the warm, she settled in Scotland.
Bozena BALUT - Bozena Balut’s address to the Polish-Canadian Group on November 11, 1995. Inspired by her parents’ and grandparents’ generations, and by Polish soldiers serving in the Allied forces and in the Home Army. Dedicated to the memory of Jozef Majcher, soldier of the Polish Second Corps (and her mother’s older brother), killed in action in Italy in1944, and Stefan Jerzy Zukotynski, Flying Officer, RAF, Polish Squadron 300 (and her paternal grandmother’s youngest brother), shot down over France in 1943.
Stanislaw BIERNACIK - Stanislaw fought in the September Campaign, evacuated to Romania, joined the Polish forces in France, evacuated to the UK, joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division, and fought in the European Campaign. After the war, he spent some years in the UK before emigrating to the U.S.
Franciszka DOBROWOLSKA - Born in 1906, she writes a detailed account of her life from early childhood. After their husbands were arrested by the Russians, she and her sister were deported to Siberia with their children. On release, they spent the war years in Koja, Uganda in Africa. She settled in the UK after the war, later emigrating to Canada.
Jan DREWNIAK - Born in 1919 in the Postolowka settlement of Tarnopol province, he was forcibly conscripted into the Russian Army in 1940. Released on 'amnesty', he joined the Polish 2nd Corps, evacuated to the Middle East, and later fought in the Italian Campaign. He met and married Lucia Materiale and lived in Italy after the war, before emigrating to Canada in 1948.
Andrzej GARLICKI - After his father was arrested by the Russians, he and his mother and brother were deported. His father was later executed by the Russians at Katyn. On release, Andrzej joined the Polish 2nd Corps and participated in the Italian Campaign. After spending 5 years in the UK, Andrzej emigrated to Canada.
Jan GARLICKI - After his father was arrested by the Russians, he and his mother and brother were deported. His father was later executed by the Russians at Katyn. On release, Jan joined the Polish 2nd Corps and participated in the Italian Campaign. After spending a few years in the UK, Jan emigrated to Argentina and later to Canada.
Piotr & Wladyslawa GRABOWSKI- Piotr fought in the September Campaign, was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in a German Prisoner of War Camp. Wladyslawa was arrested by the Germans and sent to a Slave Labour Camp in Germany. A portion of their histories is presented here as excerpts from their daughter's book titled "A Soul's Journey".
Jozefa GRZESKOWIAK-KIERKIEWICZ - She describe the journey south in the USSR after they were released by the 'amnesty', and then the journey to reach the Abercorn Settlement in East Africa. Jozefa also provides details about the settlement and what it was like to live there for 4 years before returning to Poland.
ThaddeuJAROSZEWICZ - The parents were deported with 7 children.. On release, the father joined the Engineering Corps of the Polish 2nd Corps, and the oldest daughter joined the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps. The mother, 3 daughters and one son spent the war years in Tengeru, Africa. The family spent a few years in the UK after the war, then eventually settled in the USA.
Stanislawa JASIONOWICZ - Deported at age 9 with her family to the gold-mining town of Dzytygara in Northern Kazakhstan. Released on 'amnesty', the family journeyed south to find the Polish Army being formed in the USSR, Her brother Edward joined the cadets. The rest of the family spent the war years in Lebanon, before moving to the UK. Stanislawa became Sister Maria Teresa.
Marian KOPIEC - Joined the Polish 1st Armoured Division in the UK and trained as a radio telegraphist with the goal of joining the Home Army in Poland.
Stanislaw J. KOWALSKI - Stanislaw describes the conditions in Kolyma, Siberia which he was one of the few to eventually escape. Freed by the 'amnesty', he made his way to join the Polish 2ns Corps, and was later transferred to the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He fought the European Campaign with the 1PAD and settled in England after the war.
Jozef KROLCZYK- He participated in the September Campaign and was later deported with his family and his wife's family. His parents and one of his brothers died in Siberia. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and served in the Middle East and in the Italian Campaign. After the war, he settled in the UK.
Irena KRZYSKOW-WALLACE - Deported to Siberia with her family. On release, her father joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign. Irena and her sister Mary, spent the war years in years in Africa - first at Outschoorn, then Digglefold, and finally Gatooma. In 1947, they joined their father in England, and eventually settled in Canada.
Irena KUS - Deported to Siberia with her entire family. On release, her father joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign. One brother served in 304 Squadron of the Polish Air Force in the UK. Another brother joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division and fought in the European Campaign. Irena, her mother, and youngest brother spent 6 years in Masindi, Africa, then went to the UK, and eventually settled in Canada.
MARKUT Stanislaw & Antonina - Both families were deported to Siberia. On release, Stanislaw joined the Polish 2nd Corps and was later transfered to the 1st Polish Armoured Division (1PAD). Antonina joined the 317 Transport Company of the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps. They met and married after the war and eventually settled in the US.
MARTUSEWICZ-BALUT kRYSTYNA - Krystyna was deported to Siberia with her mother and grandmother. On release, they made their was south and evacuated to Persia with the Polish Army, then were sent to the Valivade Camp in India. In 1947, they were moved to the Koja Camp in Uganda. They later emigrated to Canada.
Casimir & Zofia MORAWSKI - The family was deported to Siberia. On release, Zofia and her daughter ended up at Valivade Camp in India, while her husband and one son served in the Polish 2nd Corps. The other son was sent to a hospital in South Africa and settled there after the war, They lived in the UK after the war, and eventually emigratyed ro Canada.
Prof. Wojciech NAREBSKI - Arrested by the Russians for working for the Home Army, he spent some time in prison before being sent to Siberia. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and trained as a driver. He completed high school at the Cadet school in Barbara, and later participated in the Italian Campaign. After the war he returned to Poland where he completed a PhD and had many scientific successes.
Franciszek NEDZA - He participated in the September Campaign, then evacuated to Hungary, and made his way to France to join the army there. He then evacuated to the UK and joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division. He trained in Scotland and then participated in the European Campaign, settling in the UK after the war.
Julian RYBARCZYK - Deported with his family, after his father was arrested. His father later joined the Polish 2nd Corps. Julian served in the 5th Battalion of the 2nd Brigade of the Polish 2nd Corps, and participated in the Italian Campaign. Wounded in action, he was sent to a hospital in Perthshire, Scotland. After the war, he remained in Scotland.
Zbigniew RYDELEWSKI - Deported to Siberia with his family. On release, his father joined the Polish 2nd Corps, but was later injured and sent to Lusaka, Rhodesia, where his wife and daughter later joined him. Zbigniew went to the Tengeru camp in Africa for a short time, then joined the Polish 2nd Corps in Egypt in 1942. After the war, he settled in the UK.
Wladyslaw RYSZKOWSKI - Deported to Siberia with his family, his father later died on the journey south. On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps and was transferred to the 1st Polish Armoured Division in Scotland. He served in the Northern Europe Campaign and then in the Occupying Forces in Germany from 1945-1947. After the war, he settled in the UK.
Aleksander SOBOTOWSKI - An account of his participation in the September Campaign, then evacuating through Romania and being interned there. He escaped and made his way to France, where he joined the Polish Army that had reformed there. He carried out some interesting undercover operations behind enemy lines.
SOKOLOWSKA Teresa - The family was deported to Siberia. On release, they evacuated to Persia (Iran) with the Polish Army, where Anna's step-father and brother joined the Polish 2nd Corps, while she, her mother and sister made their way to Santa Rosa in Mexico. The family emigrated to the US after the war, but her sister remained in Mexico.
Bronislaw SOKOLOWSKI - He fought in the September Campaign in Poland, as part of the 24th Heavy Artillery Company. He was later deported to Siberia with his family, On release, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps, and participated in the Italian Campaign. His brother joined the Polish Air Force in the UK, while his mother and two sisters were sent to Africa. After the war, they emigrated to Canada.
Eugenia STANKIEWICZ - Deported from the Hallerowo Settlement to Siberia with his parents and siblings, one of whom died during the journey. His mother died just as 'amnesty' was declared, and his father joined the Polish 2nd Corps, and fought in the Italian Campaign. His older brother joined the Polish Air Force in the UK. He spent the war years in India with his younger sister and brother. After the war they emigrated to then USA
George STECIUK - With his parents, he was deported to Siberia at age 5, and does not recall much from their time there. After release, his father joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign, while he and his mother spent 5 years in Masindi. Kenya, East Africa, and then Tengeru. The family was reunited in the UK after the war, and then emigrated to Canada.
Leonia STEPIEN - Leonia was deported to Siberia with her husband and his family. On release, her husband joined the Polish 2nd Corps and she joined the Women's Auxiliary. After training in the Middle East, they both volunteered for the Polish Air Force in the UK. Her husnamdf was subsequently killed in a plane crash,. Leonia settled in England after the war, and eventually met and married Stanislaw Stepien.
Maria STRONSKA - The family was deported to Siberia. On release they made their way south, where her father died in Uzbekhistan. They evacuated to Persia and then to Uganda. Her brother joined the 1st Polish Armoured Division and was killed at Caen. Maria spent some years in the UK before emigrating to Montreal.
Eugenia SZKLARZ - Deported to Siberia with her family, his father later joined the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign. Her mother joined the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps, while Eugenia entered the Girls' Cadet School. After the war, they spent some time in the UK before moving to Canada.
Kazimierz SZMID - Deported to Siberia with his family, his father died on the journey south. Kazimierz joined the Polish 2nd Corps, but then transferred to the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade. His brother joined the Polish 2nd Corps and participated in the Italian Campaign. His older sister joined the Women's Auxiliary of the Polish 2nd Corps, while his mother and younger sister spent the war years in Koja, Uganda. Kazimierz settled in the UK after the war.
Stefan SZNUK - Before the war, he was head of Polish Air Force training. He evacuated through Romania, to France and then the UK, where General Sznujk became Chief of Staff of the Polish Air Force in the UK. He emigrated to Canada after the war, and was instrumental in bringing 4.500 Polish veterans to Canada on a 2-year work contract.
Witold SZYMANSKI - In this memoir, titled "Human Traces", Witold describes pre-war life in the Kresy, the deportation of his family to forced labour in Siberia, his father joining the Polish 2nd Crops while he, his mother and sisters made their way to Masindi, Uganda. His mother died there. After the war, the siblings joined their father in England, where Witold pursued his studies and eventually settles in Wales. He married Kazimiera Kozlowska who had also been deported and spent the war years in Massindi.
Stanislaw TARASZEWICZ - When the war broke out, he joined the Volunteer Formation of 600 young men to defend Wilno. He was subsequently arrested and interned in Lithuania. After escaping, he joined the Home Army (AK) and participated in many underground activities. He was deported to Siberia in April 1941, but released by the 'amnesty' several months later. He joined the 10th Sappers Battalion of the Polish 2nd Corps and fought in the Italian Campaign. He was awarded the VIRTUTI MILITARI medal. After the war, he lived in the UK, before emigrating to Canada in 1955.
Franciszek URBAN - He was deported to Siberia with his family. His mother and brother died on the journey south. Franciszek joined the Cadets in Palestine. On graduating, he enlisted in the Polish 2nd Corps. After the war, he settled in the US and had a varied and colourful career, travelling extensively and frequently living abroad.