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Posts by Peter  

Joined: 31 Mar 2007 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 4 Apr 2022
Threads: 3
Posts: Total: 248 / Live: 116 / Archived: 132 		From: Trinidad & Tobago and Wroclaw
Speaks Polish?: No
Interests: Soccer, Genealogy, Reading, 80's Music, Food and Drink

Displayed posts: 119 / page 2 of 4
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Peter   
19 Nov 2010
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

I've found this info on the location of the 24th Lancers after they arrived in Britain from France.

6 July 1940 - Douglas, Lanark
18 October 1940 - Arbroath
15 October 1941 - Montrose
11 April 1942 - Galashiels

It's quite possible that he may have been at or near Lauder and Callender House. I have a picture of him at Cortachy Castle.

Lauder and Galashiels are in the same area I think.
Peter   
11 Nov 2010
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

I am also trying to find any information on the Polish soilders who were based at Callendar House near Falkirk. I welcome any help any one could give me.

On page one of the forum Peter posted 3 small photos the top one shows some men in front of a large house. I think it might be Callendar House, but I am not for sure.

My father was part of the 24th Lancers and was also in Scotland. The pictures were his. I think I have a photocopy of where they were stationed between 1940-1945.
Peter   
31 Aug 2010
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

See a previous posters reply below. This is probably your best bet for accurate info and a starting point for further searching

The MoD will only release service records to a next of kin. So you will need a) proof of grandfather's death (death certificate) and b) that you are his direct next of kin.

The MoD will send you a "Certificate of Kinship" form which you have to complete and send along with the documentary proof you are your grandfather's next of kin. If your grandmother is alive for instance, the law is that MoD would only release this information to her and not you. There is a fee of £25.00 also.

You can download the "Certificate of Kinship form from here:
veterans-uk.info/pdfs/service_records/raf_kinship.pdf

Contact address for Polish service records (don't worry that it has RAF in the address; all Polish service records are archived here) at MoD:

APC Polish Enquiries,
Building 28B,
RAF Northolt,
West End Road,
Ruislip,
HA4 6NG,
Tel: 0208 833 8603
Fax: 0208 833 8866

e-mail: polishastdisoff@northolt.raf.mod.uk or polishdisoff@northolt.raf.mod.uk
Peter   
1 Aug 2010
Genealogy / Valentine Stolarz, Anna Banas, Jacob Mastej, Francis Bil [30]

I don't think you will find any Polish records online as you would for US or UK records on ancestry. Once you have located your ancestors home town in Poland or Galicia you will probably have to use a genealogy researcher in Poland or Ukraine to go through the relevant parish archives.
Peter   
15 Jul 2010
Genealogy / TRACING MY FATHER - SIEMENTOWSKI. [5]

I checked on ancestry.com and presuming the surname spelling is correct I found this.........the only one that shows up when searched for.

Name Parent or Spouse Names Home in 1920
(City,County,State) Estimated
Birth Year Birthplace Race Relation View Image
View Record
Frank Siementowski Kearny Ward 3, Hudson, New Jersey abt 1906 New Jersey White
Peter   
7 Jul 2010
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_Army_in_France_%281939%E2%80%931940%29

I guess there were many avenues for escape out of Poland in 1939. My father was one of those who escaped into Romania and then made his way to Greece before reaching southern France. He was then evacuated from France and arrived in Liverpool. Have you tried the Sikorski museum in London?
Peter   
1 Jul 2010
History / The Untold Battle of Britain [205]

I would'nt mind seeing that programme...........I wonder if the History Channel will carry it.
Peter   
26 Jun 2010
Genealogy / Family name: Mucha [19]

If he was part of the Polish Army under British command then have you checked with the Polish section, MoD to see if they have his service records? This should contain the names of his father and mother together with birth place and date. That should give you a good starting point for further research in the Polish parish archives.
Peter   
21 Jun 2010
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

I don't think so. If your mother is still alive then she is the one who qualifies. If you can get her to sign the letter to the MoD then that may suffice. If she has dementia the person who has power of attorney over her affairs should be able to sign on her behalf. In this instance it may be worthwhile calling the Polish section and explaining your particular situation and confirm with them what documentation they will accept as proof of kinship before you go through the time and expense of doing it. It may require your swearing an affidavit before a JP, etc.
Peter   
12 May 2010
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

My father was part of the 24th Lancers from (I believe) 1936 when he entered the University of Lwow. He would have had to see some military duty, most likely in the reserves. I only started researching my family tree 7 years ago and not much is known about his military service. If you wish you can PM me. I also have some pictures which I can send to you.
Peter   
10 May 2010
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

Do you know what regiment your father was part of? Do you have anything with the 24th Lancers?

I might be able to help - my father, also escaped through Roumania ending up in France and then eventually to Scotland. His name was Wladyslaw Bledowski, I ghave heaps of pix - if interested plse contact.

According to "McGilvray, Evan. The Black Devils' March: A Doomed Odyssey: The 1st Polish Armoured Division 1939-1945. Solihull, West Midlands, England: Helion, 2005 (ISBN 1874622426)" Wladyslaw Bledowski was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Polish Armoured Division and was decorated with the Cross of Valour and the Military Cross.
Peter   
19 Jan 2010
Genealogy / Anyone here from the UK? Looking for a Pristow [6]

Sokal is no more in Poland now

I am aware of this though at the time he was born it was part of Poland though perhaps I should have noted it is now part of Ukraine.
Peter   
18 Jan 2010
Genealogy / Anyone here from the UK? Looking for a Pristow [6]

This is a long shot but here goes.

By chance does anyone know or know of the children of Michael Pristow (Przystawski)? Michael was the son of Eugeniusz Przystawski (who changed his name to Pristow) and also had a brother Stephen who died in a motorcycle accident in Texas.

Eugeniusz emigrated to the UK from Sokal, Poland. Either Eugeniusz or his children married a red-haired woman, served in the navy and eventually relocated to Scotland.
Peter   
14 Jan 2010
Genealogy / Looking for people (or relatives) who have shared my mother's WW2 experiences [5]

Is it hearsay or do you have some "proof" to confirm your belief that she work for British Intelligence?

My father served during WW2 was was believed to have been involved in intelligence activities. He was at the University of Lwow in 1939 and (like a lot of Poles) was fluent in German, Russian but he also spoke English, French and some Spanish. A lot of his friends and co-workers suspected he was involved with intelligence but that's all there was.........suspicion, no proof.
Peter   
5 Nov 2009
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

Does anyone know where I could find more information about the liberations which the division undertook (or would it mostly be in Polish - I don't speak the language)

The following book gives some detailed accounts of the liberations from the view of the division.

McGilvray, Evan. The Black Devils' March: A Doomed Odyssey: The 1st Polish Armoured Division 1939-1945. Solihull, West Midlands, England: Helion, 2005 (ISBN 1874622426).
Peter   
14 Aug 2009
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

Have found this thread most interesting and informative. My father was in the 2nd corps of the Polish Army (I think it may have been a tank regiment as he spoke about tanks quite often). He was involved with the Italian Campaign at Monte Cassino. I just wondered if anyone else out their had family members in this campaign. My dad mentioned General Anders and also the British 8th army. Any information would be appreciated.

My cousin was a corporal in an artillery regiment in the 2 Corps. Sadly he died in 1990. If you search the web you'll find a lot o general info on the 2 Corp from their formation to participation in the Italian theatre.
Peter   
7 Aug 2009
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

What an amazing discovery Snip! I almost envy you.

I don't know if you are willing to consider this but there is a museum in Poland dedicated to the 24th Lancers, they may not have a copy of the book and may be interested in getting a copy. The Sikorski Institute may also ne interested.

I know for sure now. My dad was definitely in the 24th lancers. I saw my brother this week and he has kindly lent me a book that he had tucked away in his loft. Its a really precious book, numbered 1069, so there are at least 1068 copies about. It is about A4 size softback and yellowing. On the front is 24 PULK ULANOW (lines through the Ls and a comma over the O ) It looks as though the book was printed in 1945. The eagle and the red and white (or cream) emblems are near the front. 24 is inside 4 wheat wreaths and the other side has HONOR I OJCZYZNA inside a larger wheat wreath. I think it is the 24th lancers flag

Peter   
19 Jul 2009
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

Snip,

I'm afraid that as you slowly uncover more information and material you will discover a roller coaster of emotions as you do so. Sadly most people who undertake the search you are now doing (as I did and am still doing) will uncover tragic and painful events in their past. Whilst my father was lucky enough to escape through Romania in 1939, 2 of his cousins were not. One died at Katyn and the other mere days before the war ended when his POW camp was evacuated. His brother was shot in 1941 by SS troops and another cousin died during the Russian advance in 1944. I'm still "digging" through the long list of family relations so I have no doubt there will be more sadness to find. Still I've also found living cousins so there is also an upside!

Keep digging, you may have some most pleasant and unexpected finds!
Peter   
19 Jul 2009
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

I am looking for information about what happen to him in the war and the name of the village his name was Wacław Engelhardt. both my in-laws have sadly passed away it was hard to ask them to much as it was very painful for them

See sjam's post above with the contact details for the MoD, Polish Affairs.

The MoD will only release service records to a next of kin. So you will need a) proof of grandfather's death (death certificate) and b) that you are his direct next of kin.

The MoD will send you a "Certificate of Kinship" form which you have to complete and send along with the documentary proof you are your grandfather's next of kin. If your grandmother is alive for instance, the law is that MoD would only release this information to her and not you. There is a fee of £25.00 also.

You can download the "Certificate of Kinship form from here:
veterans-uk.info/pdfs/service_records/raf_kinship.pdf

Contact address for Polish service records (don't worry that it has RAF in the address; all Polish service records are archived here) at MoD:

APC Polish Enquiries,
Building 28B,
RAF Northolt,
West End Road,
Ruislip,
HA4 6NG,
Tel: 0208 833 8603
Fax: 0208 833 8866

e-mail: polishastdisoff@northolt.raf.mod.uk or polishdisoff@northolt.raf.mod.uk

The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London:
The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum, 20 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PT, Great Britain.
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7589 9249

The Sikorski holds all the unit records of the Polish Forces of the West including the listings of service men and women, but you would need to know what unit your grandfather served with as these records are all paper documents not a searchable database. They don't have email so you need to write or phone. The head of the archives at the Sikorski is Mr Andrzej Suchcitz. As the insitute is manned by volunteers (mainly Polish forces veterans) replies can take some time but they will reply.
Peter   
18 Jul 2009
Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

I found out today that he (Jan called Janek Dabek) was in 24th lancers.

Same regiment as my father.

A friend of my father's served in the submarine ORP Dzik in the Med. After the war he also had to take a menial job. He told me about having to load beer trucks at 4.30am and even though he was a sailor he could only get the worst jobs on tramp steamers.

Nevertheless it's great to hear that you are making headway in your search. I hope you continue to make new discoveries.