my name is Dagmara and am studying applied linguistics in Krakow.With my friends we decided to do some kind of project and want to to come to UK and interview Poles who emigrated to UK during WWII.
I was looking for some websites or places where I can find those people and contact them or better with their children but to be honest I have problems.
Maybe you know some websites or maybe you have contact with those people who will agree to be interviewed?
You can contact POSK - it's a Polish Club in Hammersmith in London. I think they are also the main contact for various Polish Veteran organisations etc.
posk.org
I know there was one in Sheffield also but can't remember name. But the POSK is a good starting point for you.
Lots of Polish ex militiary in Lincolnshire. This due to lots of airbases located in this area during WW11. Basically after the war they just decided to settle in this area. I myself was in the Air Force in Lincoln so know the area quite well. You will find Polish communities in the following villages.
Metheringham, Sleaford, Scopwick, Ruskington, Digby and Branston
The Glasgow Sikorski club mentioned above is a good idea. Allegedly the old boys refer to being 'w glasgowie', so as a linguist you might find a few nice things.
You could try contacting the Royal British Legion, they might know of some Polish ex-servicemen's groups.
This is an old article but it might be of use. It's about a Polish hospital in wales.
Go to any Polish parafia in London and you'll still find the people who came over with the Anders Army. And as the Dziennik Polski w Londynie to run an advert for you - they've been around since 1940 and I think it's one of the only Polish papers read by many of the older Poles. And definitely do call POSK - many of these elderly Poles are still involved (particularly with the POSKlub) and I'm sure they'd love to put you in touch.
If you PM me some more details I can put you in touch with the children of this generation (me included) - born in the UK but brought up speaking Polish.
My grandparents and parents came over to UK during the war and settled in London as did many others; I would agree with inkrakow that POSK would be a very good place to start as well as placing an advert in Polski Dziennik.
There are a number of organisations which have kept in touch such as SMO ( Szkoły Młodych Ochotniczek) to which I believe my mum belongs to. They have gatherings annually but as you can imagine there are less attending as each year goes by.
There are Polish clubs all over UK as well as Polish parafie such as Sw Andrzeja Boboli here in West London.
Try checking out this webiste which has details and links of various Polish organisations : aniaspoland.com/polish_london.php
Feel free to send me PM if you want any more help,
