Tadeusz Zielinski

German forced labour

Tadeusz was born in Osowik, Poland on 22 August 1925, and spent his youth growing up on a farm with a fruit orchard.

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 German-controlled area, many Poles were sent to forced labour in Germany. There, they worked on farms and in factories until they were liberated by the Allies. During World War II, more than 20 million people were coerced into unpaid work for Germany in occupied Europe and in the German Reich.

Forced labor played a crucial role in the wartime German economy. German military, SS, and civilian authorities brutally exploited Jews, Poles, Soviet civilians, and concentration camp prisoners for the war effort. Many forced laborers died as the result of ill-treatment, disease, and starvation.

The use of slave and forced labour in Nazi Germany and throughout German-occupied Europe was a vital part of the German economic exploitation of conquered territories. It also contributed to the mass extermination of populations in occupied Europe.

Tadeusz was sent to forced labour in Germany. On release by the Allies, he moved to Wales and worked as a coal miner.

In 1953, Tadeusz met Maria on Good Friday and proposed to her the next day. They were married in Rochdale, England, on 4 July 1953.

After the birth of their son, Jerzy, in 1954, they moved to Canada and settled in Winnipeg where their daughter Helen and son Greg were born. Tadeusz worked at Winnipeg Central Heat and graduated as a 3rd level power engineer. In 1966, he joined Manitoba Hydro where he proudly worked until his retirement.

Tadeusz was a member of the Polish Combatants, served on the board of Holy Ghost Credit Union, was a Grand Knight and Navigator (Fourth Degree) of the Knights of Columbus, and a devout member of Holy Ghost Church.

Tadeusz passed away in Winnipeg on 19 November 2014, at the age of 89 years. He was buried at Holy Ghost Cemetery.