Once very blue moon things like this VM and the eagle come to light.
The VM winner died in 1922, and it is very likely that these two spend 80 plus years in a small box in a apartment in Krakow.
Virtuti Militari and eagle of 1st Cavalry Regiment of Legions.
Once very blue moon things like this VM and the eagle come to light.
The VM winner died in 1922, and it is very likely that these two spend 80 plus years in a small box in a apartment in Krakow.
This VM belonged to Rotmistrz Wladyslaw Dunin-Borkowski. Born in 1884 in Warsaw. He studied painting in Krakow's ASP and then he went to Paris to better his painting skills. While there he joined the "Rifle Association "
He made history with his saber duel in Paris. He had offended another polish artists girlfriend, and her boyfriend decided to call Borkowski out. The boyfriend was Leon Chwistek, accomplished Polish thinker, mathematician and a painter.
Sunday April 6, 1914 by the La Grande Roue in Paris sabers crossed, and there exists a picture. About 10 newspapers had written about it, for they used sharp sabers, there were no thrusting allowed, cuts only, and both had their necks bandaged to limit injuries.
Wladyslaw Borkowski on the left.
Wladyslaw Borkowski lost...... Got cut on side of the head and almost lost an ear. after both of them shook hands.
In Borkowski's defense : Leon Chwistek practiced saber fighting for many years....and was very proficient with saber......
Nevertheless Borkowski stood his ground......
Last edited by Krakow1; 07-15-2014 at 12:41 AM.
After Wladyslaw Borkowski joined the French Foreign Legion. But once he found out about Polish Legions forming he left Legion and joined in July 1915, 1st Cavalry Regiment of Legions. He was in the Wolyn Campaign.
in July 1917 he was imprisoned with others in Szczypiorno for not swearing allegiance to the german Kaiser.
After being set free he was one of the organizators of the 7th Cavalry Regiment. He had taken part in all the battles, Slonim, Sawicze, and incursion on Lida, commanding a platoon in 7th Cavalry Regiment.
He finished a Cavalry School in Stara Wies in 1919,
in 1920 he commanded a squadron in 7th Cavalry,
and as a Rotmistrz fighting by river Niemen.
Here is a picture from 1921, Marshall Pilsudski in the middle, Rtm Borkowski on the very left, there are some famous Cavalry Officers in that picture.
Virtuti Militari #2764
Very rare eagle, small size made in Warsaw by Grynszpan in 1916.
Last edited by Krakow1; 03-29-2015 at 07:45 PM.
Rotmistrz Wladyslaw Dunin Borkowski died in 1922, a year after that picture was taken from TB, i need to mention that he had TB the whole time he was a soldier....... It had to been hard to be in saddle with TB.....
He authored a song : written in Wolyn in 1916, song titled "Belonowe Ulany ". (Belinas Ulans).
As a painter he left portraits of soldiers of 1st Cavalry Regiment of Legions.
Forgot to post the back of the Eagle.
Very nice write up. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks BILL
"As long as there are brave men and warriors the halls of Valhalla will never be silent or empty"
In memory of my father William T. Grist December 26, 1920--September 10, 2009..
901st. Ordnance H.A.M. North Africa, Italy, Southern France....ETO
Also in memory of my mother Jane Kidd Grist Feb. 22, 1920-- September 27, 2009... WWll War bride May 1942...
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