In September 1939, both Germany and Russia invaded Poland, prompting many Poles to flee and join the fight for their country in various locations, including Scotland.
Following the invasion, the Polish government went into exile, working to reorganise the troops that managed to escape into a newly formed army. These forces participated in the defense of Norway and France. After France fell, Polish soldiers were evacuated alongside British forces from Dunkirk. Upon reaching Scotland, the 1st Polish Army Corps was established, led by Generals Maczek and Kukiel.
The Polish troops contributed to constructing and maintaining coastal defenses in Scotland, working at sites such as Lossiemouth and Tentsmuir. Displaced from their homeland, the Polish established their government in London. Polish pilots played a significant role in the Battle of Britain, while the Polish Army served under British command throughout the conflict.
The Polish soldiers were well-received in Scotland, with Dr. Kazimierz Piotr Durkacz recalling, “I can remember marching up Sauchiehall Street [Glasgow] and the welcome we received in our new uniforms,” as noted in Henderson’s The Lion and the Eagle (2001).
When the war concluded in 1945, many Poles faced the reality that they could not return home due to Soviet control and the rise of communism in Poland. As a result, many families communicated with loved ones, urging them to stay in Scotland.
A Polish Soldier in Scotland 1940-44
The following paragraphs are extracts from my fathers diary and stories that my father told me when I was researching his War time adventures.
The stories are written as told to me and therefore include a slight Polish accent in the use of English.
After esacaping from France my father arrived at Liverpool on Board the MV Royal Scotsman.
26-6-1940 In Glasgow good rest on Celtic football ground.
“On the same day we moved by train to Glasgow. Our accommodation was Celtic Football Ground and were were served by the salvation army. On the second day it was Sunday, after our lunch I went outside the gates with two friends. To our surprise there were plenty of Scottish people who had come to see what these Polish Soldiers looked like. It wasn’t long before two girls came to introduce themselves to us. Georgie and Betty, Georgie took my hand an said come. The other two friends follow with Betty. We went by tram to George ‘s house. Before we started any conversation, Georgie’s mother put tea on the table . After tea the two girls took us to the sitting room. There was a piano but none of us could play. I ask for paper and pencil to help our conversation. When Georgie ask me what I was doing (in the army). To be in the signal unit as operator I write Morse and said Tee-Ta-Ta- the girl ask my other friend this same question and it was the same answer Tee-Ta-Ta- . When they ask the last one, he served in the engineers. He said me Sapper. Georgie went quickly to her mother and in a few minutes supper was on the table.”
30-6-1940 In tent near Douglas
“After five days we move to a tent about fifty miles from Glasgow, named Douglas and the salvation army was still looking after us. After only two days, in the early morning a soldier who was on duty took us by surprise and knocked on our tent and called us to parade. He soon went quiet when we said a few “LATIN” words. It wasn’t quiet for long because a Sergeant Major came and walked into our tent and shouted Who are You!!. We kept our shoes in the middle and some landed over his body. Then came a second lieutenant who I knew from Warsaw and shout again. It was my pleasure to use my shoes and I made sure that I didn’t miss him because when he was in Warsaw he was a right B*******d. Then after a few minutes a voice came from outside, “Gentlemen my name is Capt. Kurek can I come inside to talk to you?” Well we said at last someone who is polite. Please come in. When he walked in he asked us “What is the matter gentlemen? Then we told him “What’s the matter with you Hitler took Poland in a few weeks, the same happened in France, we didn’t have any help from you- you all ran away - here the salvation army is looking after us. We haven't had a proper sleep for over a month and you call us so early for parade - grow up you lot. At the moment we are in Britain let them worry. I am sorry for you I see your point, I give you two weeks - stay in bed as long as you like but make sure you collect your breakfast on time. Thank you very much we will do that and he left. It was only a few days more in this camp, we were transferred to another one.”
17-7-1940 In tent near Crawford and Douglas
21-10-1940 Move to Perth (Talach work)
“Before winter in November we were transferred to Perth, and our accommodation was in an old factory “Talach Work”. It was here that we start to form our division. I joined the radio platoon. There were only 25 of us. Every week our called a meeting to share with us what was going on. Before Christmas 1940 he came with news that the had free tickets for us to go to London. When he asked who would like to go, it was a surprise to him that no one volunteered. Each one of us was looking at the others saying go to London - Battle of Britain??. I laughed and he turned to me and said Frank you would like to go? I said to him that to go to London you need money (our pay at the time was only 3 and half shillings a week) Then he said that if you want to go come to the office I will help you. So I did see him after the meeting. He asked me how much money I would like. I asked for 5 pounds. After a few moments he said to me I do not want as much, £3.00 will be sufficient. I could not argue, he worked on the papers that I needed. I leave the office and the boys collected 15 shillings for me.”
3-4-41 First Visit to London (Battle of Briton)
“When I went to London - I arrived at night and went straight to my Naffi as one of my friends had been to London before and I had some instructions from him.
The Naffi was in the churchyard in Marlebone Street. When I reserved my bed and had something to eat I did not go outside as it was too dark and about 10.00 pm I went to bed.
Every night the Germans start bombing London from 10.00 pm to 2.00 am, so when the sirens gave the signal everyone had to go to the shelter which was in the garden. Sergeant was on duty! I went only twice , when the third time came I lay down straight under the blanket to show that I am not in. In the morning I start to visit London. I enjoy myself , in Piccadilly on the first day I went to the American Hotel and there were a few soldiers that speak Polish. Every ask plenty of questions and everybody want some souvenir. In the end I came back to Perth with no buttons on my uniform or my overcoat but I posses all sorts of money. When the boys ask me how the holiday had gone I said very good I would like to go again.”
9-4-1941 Back to Perth through Glasgow - I met a friend from my school day. (Few Gin and Tonics) he was a sailor.
“From Perth I paid regular visits to Glasgow to visit my first girlfriend Georgie. In the summer of 1941 when I went to Glasgow to see her, she was working all day so when I arrive in the early afternoon I went for a walk. On the crowded street in front of me were two sailors. On their hat was the name “Garland”, their warship but for me a name that I didn’t know. But I was sure that I did know one of the sailors from my home town where we went to school together. Passing him I look at him all the time, but when he noticed my uniform “Poland” he stopped and said in Polish “who are you do you know me” It was a surprise for him when I said his name “Wlodek Bijos”. When I told him my name he was so pleased to see me and we went straight to his hotel. At the Hotel I stayed with him for two days. Plenty of gin and tonic, also plently of talk. We did not see each other again, when we left school he joined the Navy. I was writing letters to him until 1943 but a German U boat sank Garland and all the sailors with him. Georgie must be disappointed, I did not see her again - when I return to Perth there was a ice house and dance hall nearby, so I had plenty of opportunity to learn about Scottish customs.”
16-4-41 Move to Dundee for radio mechanics course.
“I went to Dundee for a radio mechanics course which lasted 6 months. It was only about 30 miles from Perth. In Dundee we had a Locarno dance hall and new opportunity to have a new teacher to improve my Scottish dancing. After my course finished, one evening to my surprise good friend Francis from Perth showed herself in Locarno to see me. Well to be nice I introduced her to my new friend Betty and said good bye knowing that I was moving to Peebles the new destination.”
27-9-41 Back to Perth
4-4-42 Dunfermline and Peebles
7-4-42 From Peebles to Dalkeith Castle
“My last destination in Scotland was Dalkeith Castle. One day this castle caught fire. I was responsible for that. My workshop was in the basement, no fire place so I manage to find an old coal fire which had a ring on top through which the heat came out. I do not use the fire stick to light the fire in the morning instead I took my metal vessel to nearby Garage and fill it with oil and petrol and after taking the ring from the top of the fire I used the petrol to light the fire. As the drawing was poor because I had a short pipe from the middle of the room through the window, I had to repeat this process a few times. One day I had to go to the warehouse to collect some material. I left the fire in good order, my colleague was out, when I return later in the afternoon I put my hand low to the fire, it was cold, so I went for my starting magic and as usual added it to the coal. To my surprise the fire sparked into life up to the vessel in my hands (which I was holding with Tongs). As I turn looking for safe place to put the burning vessel I spread some of the burning mixture on my table and on some carton boxes near by. Lucky for some I managed to take the burning books from the table and place them on the safe floor and put the fire out with my overcoat. I use my overcoat to do the same with the burning boxes. When my commanding officer came to my workshop and ask me what had happened, he couldn’t believe that Dalkeith Castle was still there. For me it meant extra work as I had to replace all my burnt books.”
“Dalkeith was small quiet town but it was only 8 miles to Edingburgh. The problem was how to get back home if you like some entertainment. the last bus ran to Dalkeith at 10.00 O'clock at night. Too early to go back but if you stayed overnight it wasn’t easy to get accommodation. Some places you may be lucky to find somewhere but in the morning you usually go back without shoes or trousers. (it never happened to me) There were a few night clubs and to pay to go in was the same price as what you would have to pay for a bed. Entertainment to early morning and the first Train back to Dalkeith.”
“This was a very busy time for us, we had plenty of exercises with British home guard and so on. every soldier had to learn to be universal. Twice a week we had driving practice, a small lorry took 10-15 men and we went by road. Every so many miles we change the driver. Sitting in the back of the lorry and passing places one of the boys asked where we were. I look at my friend and smile, he pointed out with his finger and reading in Polish way GARAGE! There was silence, but after a few miles we pass, he did not miss one and said funny place this so many places called GARAGE.”
25-30-6-1942 Holiday in Southport with friend from Rzeszow
21-7-1942 - 19-8-42 Bovington Camp - course for tanks radio equipment.
“From Dalkeith I went to Bovington. Big tank regiment camp for one month to learn about radio equipment. There were only four of us Polish soldiers at that time. British commanding officer want us to take part in the morning parade. we say sorry sir if you perform Polish way we will be there. He did not like it but we stayed away.”
30-1-1943-13-2-1943 Galashield course
3-4-1943 -17-4-1943 London Course
5-6-1943 - 26-7-1943 Kirby - Doncaster -Malton in Yorkshire - on exercise shooting
27-7-1943 - 22-9-1943 Thetford - Newmarket - Bury St. Edmunds
“From Dalkeith in 1943 we also went for exercise near Scarborough and after near Newmarket. There was no less than 5,000 soldiers. It was the last exercise before the invasion. There were British, USA, Canadian, French, if you wanted a drink in the evening you had to bring your own glass and you may still go home to your tent without a drink. Queue in every pub was a mile long so we use the spare time for playing poker. As always myself with friend Wojtek we always share winnings. In that three months we had few nice weekends in London - Cambridge and Bury St. Edmunds.”
23-9-1943 Return to Dalkeith for final preparation for D-Day.
“When we return to Dalkeith we had to change all our equipment and start preparation for the invasion and say last good-bye to Dalkeith and my Kathleen. Before we went to France we stop for 5 days in Aldershot. these 5 days were the longest in my life. Every evening dozens of German V2 rockets passed over our camp.”
Further information - https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/12/a2272312.shtml
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