Polish Medals etc

[richard1984]

The first photo looks like a set of German awards, Iron Cross etc attached to a screw back fitting of some kind? Would like to see a clearer photo or scan of this set if possible?
I guess you have tried the MoD for your grandfather's complete service records?

Hi 4thskorpion

I will do my best to get you a better quality pic of the german piece which I have.

I actually posted a letter yesterday to the MOD at RAF Northolt requesting my grandfathers records. I look forward to recieving them and will of course share them with you if interested.

Rich

[andrzejku98]

Hi Richard,

The Monte Cassino Cross Numbered 19626 was awarded to Strz Jan Mulica, Born in 1910 Army Number 1910/131/III, Unit: z 18 Baonu Strzelcow (18th Rifle Bn, 5KDP), I have also checked the Monte Cassino Cross Recipients list for the 5BCKM with no luck in finding Wlodzimierz Krawczyk.

Apologies for throwing a spanner in the works.

Best wishes

Andrzejku

[richard1984]

Andrzejku

Thankyou for your reply. Although I am now more confused as to why my grandfather would have a medal issued to somebody else.

Am I right in thinking that everybody who fought at Monte Cassino was issued with one of these medals? I know that he was definately there as other documents and photographs we have back this up.

We also have a badge from the 64th Infantry Battalion, could it be that my grandfather was in this battalion? Mind you, his driving licence is stamped 5th Kresowa.

I have requested his records from the MOD and am very interested to see what these say.

Thanks
Rich

[andrzejku98]

Hi again Richard,

Would I be right in thinking that your Grandfather lived at 33 Elford Terrace, Harehills, Leeds in the 1970's.

Andrzejku

[richard1984]

Hi Andrzejku

Thats him, changed his name to William Kay sometime in the late 50's I believe.

You have me intrigued now!

Many Thanks
Richard

[Gary J]

That would have been very close to the Leeds Polish Club !

Hi again Richard,

Would I be right in thinking that your Grandfather lived at 33 Elford Terrace, Harehills, Leeds in the 1970's.

Andrzejku

[andrzejku98]

Hi again Richard,

London gazette Issue Nr: 46646, Dated 29th July 1975, Page 16:

Entry appears :

William Kay (Formerly Wlodzimierz Krawczyk); Poland; 33 Elford Terrace, Harehills, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 4th June 1975 (this is the date your Grandfather became a Naturalised British Subject)

[richard1984]

Hi Richard,

The Monte Cassino Cross Numbered 19626 was awarded to Strz Jan Mulica, Born in 1910 Army Number 1910/131/III, Unit: z 18 Baonu Strzelcow (18th Rifle Bn, 5KDP), I have also checked the Monte Cassino Cross Recipients list for the 5BCKM with no luck in finding Wlodzimierz Krawczyk.

Apologies for throwing a spanner in the works.

Best wishes

Andrzejku

Hi again Andrzejku

After speaking with my grandmother at the weekend, she seems to remember a gentleman called Jan who would be about the same age as the man you mention above. He was a very close friend of my grandfather whom he actually escaped from the back of a german transport vehicle from whilst still in Poland. Maybe it is coinciedence that my grandfather had a medal belonging to a Jan but I guess we will never know!

Rich

[richard1984]

Good Evening All

I finally recieved the information back from RAF Northolt which I requested. I will copy the information from it below for those who are interested:

30047993 - PRIVATE WLODZIMIERZ KRAWCZYK

Born: 17 June 1926 at Lodz, Poland

Parents: Jozef and Maria nee Malawana

Religion: Roman Catholic

Service with the Polish Forces under British Command from 12 August 1946 to 3 September 1947

Service with the Polish Resettlement Corps: Enlisted on 4 September 1947 relegated to Class W Reserve on 6 October 1947. Honourably discharged 3 September 1949.

Former Service and History: Prior to 1939 lived in Lodz, Poland. Deported by the Germans as forced labout to Austria in 1943.

Enlisted in the Polish forced un British Command in Italy on 12 August 1946 and posted to Staff Company, 5 Kresowa Infantry Division, 2 Polish Corps, 8 British Army.

Served in Italy 1946, when together with Polish 2 Corps was transferred to Unitied Kingdom. Exact date of arrival in UK not recorded.

Due to gradual demobilisation of the Polish Forces under British command enlisted in the Polish Resettlement Corp (PRC) and served in the United Kingdom until finally discharged in 03 September 1949 on completion of two year contract with the PRC.

[A.J. Zawadzki]

Richard, thanks for the follow up.

Some lingering questions remain. The date on your grandfather’s provisional driver's license is October 1945 (although the date has been altered from 1946 if you look closely) yet according to the records you have just received he enlisted in Italy in August 1946.

It’s already established that the Monte casino Cross was not awarded to him. If he did not see any combat then the Cross of Valour would also not apply, and he would not be entitled to the British decorations if he did not serve for a specific period during the actual war.

With the presence of the US Marksmanship Qualification badge, beret badge of 64th Infantry Battalion and the Imperial German WW1 decoration pin the evidence suggests that the grouping contains items not associated with your grandfather’s service.

Best wishes in your continued hunt for information.

Regards,
Tony