British Awards for Polish Soldiers

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Stretcher Bearer of 1st Armoured Division

Lance Corporal Władysław Koźmina (Recommendation states his name as Kosmina)

"On 14th January 1945 Lance Corporal Koźmina was in charge of a section of stretcher bearers of 11 Polish Field Ambulance attached to 47 Commando Battalion.

During the attack on the german bridgehead at Kapelscheveer / MR 0848 / the action was taking place under extremely difficult and adverse weather conditions at night.

And was subjected to intense enemy machine gun fire Lance Corporal Koźmina, exhiting great bravery and complete indifference to danger, set about his task in a very determined manner.

Organizing first aid in such an efficient way that all casualties were evacuated in the shortest possible time, undoubtedly many of his comrades owe their lives to his prompt and exemplary behaviour and the example he set is worthy of the highest praise".

Recommended by : Major General Rudnicki, GOC 1 Armoured Division

Dated : 3rd July 1945

Award : M.M.



Military Medal obverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Colonel attached to the 21 Army Group.

Colonel Ignacy Kazimierz Banach

"During the Campaigns in France, Belgium and Holland and in the recent fighting in Germany, this officer has acted as head of his Country's Military Mission attached to Main Headquarters 21 Army Group.

He has carried out his duties with conspicuous success, he has on all occasions represented his country with great tact and ability under conditions which have been difficult for Political reasons".

Recommended by : Brigadier Peto, Chief Liaison Officer 21 Army Group.

Counter signed by : Field Marshal B. L. Montgomery, Commander in Chief 21st Army Group.

Dated : 24th April 1945

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division)



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.

Pulkownik dypl. Ignacy Kazimierz Banach was born on the 26th January 1897, during the Polish-soviet war he received the following awards : Cross of Valour and Bar, then during the 2nd Republic the Cross of Independence and the Silver Cross of Merit.

After the end of the War in Europe and after he was demobbed he settled down to civilian life in Ealing in London where he died on the 18th July 1966.



Death Entry



Cost of the Burial plot, his wife died 34 years later



1967 Probate Entry his estate went to his wife.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Captain of the Engineers 2 Polish Corps

Captain Rościsław Kępiński

"The ground between the Rivers Senio and Idice was covered with unexploded bombs and many bombs were used for blowing Roads and Bridges.

The removal of Bombs placed at points of operational importance had to be done in the shortest possible time.

There were many such instances reports were constantly coming in , throughout the whole operation from 9th-21st April 1945 and irrespective of what time of the day or degree of exhaustion, Captain Kępiński intervened in person and removed the bombs or neutralised them.

In some very dangerous cases he caused the bombs to be detonated during the operations, Captain Kępiński caused the removal of a total of 6,500Ibs of Bulgarian, Italian, British, American and German bombs.

He caused the destruction of 13,000Ibs of explosives and had 6,500Ibs of charges removed, his personal courage and daring greatly contributed to the rapid opening up of Crossings. At points where the bombs were and he was a magnificent inspiration to his men".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General Szyszko-Bohusz, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Countersigned by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 5th July 1945

Award : M.C.



Military Cross case of issue



Military Cross in case of issue



Military Cross obverse.

Kapitan Rościsław Kępiński was born on the 18th February 1907, during WW2 his Army Number was : 1907-65-III, he was also awarded the Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 38764, Unit : DS2K.

He was also awarded the Army Medal and the British 1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, 1939-1945 Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal.



Plut.pchor. Rościsław Kępiński (Late 1920's or early 1930's).



In 1948 he emigrated to Brazil, his Immigration Card.

Rościsław Kępiński died in 1977.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[TMZ]

I notice that 3DSK list contains 2 of the same surname:

KĘPIŃSKI Eugeniusz, 1923/374, st. sap., 3. bn. sap., KW
KĘPIŃSKI Mieczysław, 1904/162, st. sap., 3. bn. sap.

and all three are sappers. I wonder if they were related?

Ted

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a member of the Polish Women's Auxiliary Service.

Inspector Irena Wachlowska

"Inspector Wachlowska was one of the first Polish ATS to arrive in the Middle East and was responsible for organising Polish ATS units in Palestine after the first evacuation.

This officer devoted to her task a high degree of persistence and hard working co-operation with her British colleagues, which resulted in the setting up of a remarkably efficient Polish ATS organization in the Palestine area.

Her determination and success in mastering both the British system and language enabled her to prove herself outstanding as a Commander of Polish ATS and also as a Staff Officer.

As such she gave very valuable and loyal service to the British units with which she worked and set a fine example to her own Countrywomen".

Recommended by : Brigadier (Hon) J.B.G. Hennessy, Brigadier Allied Liaison Service.

Award : M.B.E. (Military Division).



M.B.E. (Military Division) Female award

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for an N.C.O. 3rd Rifle Brigade, 1 Polish Armoured Division.

Warrant Officer 1 Wacław Pieńkowski

"Armaments Artificer Pieńkowski has proved himself efficient to a high degree and has shown great courage and devotion to duty under all conditions often carrying on with his work under enemy fire.

On the afternoon of the 5th October 1944, at Baarle Duc (Baarle-Hertog) /MR 0216 / while with the Advanced Workshop Detachment, several damaged tanks were brought in for urgent repairs.

All afternoon the detachment was subjected to intermittent mortar fire, by his coolness and disregard for danger W.O.1 Pieńkowski was an inspiring example to his men and contributed greatly to the prompt repair of tanks".

Recommended by : Major General Maczek, GOC 1 Polish Armoured Division.

Counter signed by : Field Marshal B.L. Montgomery, Commander in Chief 21 Army Group.

Award : M.B.E. (Military Division) downgraded to the B.E.M. (Military Division), then new Recommendation for M.B.E.(Military Division)



M.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Colonel 3DSK Artillery.

Colonel Kazimierz Stafiej

"During the battle for Ortona between 7th June and 15th June 1944, Colonel Stafiej commanded the Regiment which was in direct support if the 7th Indian Infantry Battalion of 4th Indian Division.

His personal courage and the skilful handling of his guns played a decisive part in the success of this action.

Throughout the Campaign on the Adriatic Sector he continued to lead his Regiment with untiring energy and has shown himself to be a fine leader and an example and inspiration to those under his command".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General W. Anders, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Counter signed by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : 31st December 1944

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division)



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.

Pulkownik Dypl. Kazimierz Stafiej was born on the 20th November 1897, during the Polish-soviet war he was awarded the Silver Virtuti Militari Cross Numbered : 502 and the Cross of Valour and Bar.

During WW2 he was awarded the French War Cross in 1940 whilst in command of 1PAL, then whilst serving with 3DSK he was also awarded the Gold Cross Virtuti Militari Numbered 21 and the Cross of Valour and Bar (1939-1945) and the Army Medal and Monte Cassino Cross Numbered : 1838.

He was injured during the Campaign in the Apennine Mountains and was hospitalised, after the end of the war he came to the UK and settled down to Civilian life he married Sabina Z Antezak in St.Neots, Huntingdonshire in 1948.

Pulkownik Dypl. Kazimierz Stafiej died on the 19th January 1964 and was buried on the 26th January 1964.



Grave of Plk. Dypl. Kazimierz Stafiej

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Podpulkownik 2nd Polish Corps.

Lieutenant Colonel Michał Głowacki

"As Commander of 2 Polish Corps, General Transport Companys, Lieutenant Colonel Głowacki rendered great service in the Supply and Transportation service during Operations from 9th to 21st April 1945.

By commanding 3rd Line Transportation during Operations against Bologna and after the capture of Bologna by Commanding the pool of Transportation placed under Command Eighth Army.

Thanks to his drive, leadership and the efficient manner in which he organised the work of this Transportation he made a considerable contribution to the success of the Operation".

Recommended by : Lieutenant General Szyszko-Bohusz, Commanding 2 Polish Corps.

Counter signed by : Lieutenant General R.L. McCreery, GOC Eighth Army.

Dated : June 1945

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division)



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse.

Born on the 19th March 1891 he died in London on the 7th January 1964.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for a Lieutenant Colonel of the Engineering Technical Research Bureau.

Lieutenant Colonel Leopold Adam Górka

"This officer who commands the Polish Engineer Research Department, has placed his great knowledge and experience at the disposal of the British authorities since he came to this country in 1940.

He has been inspiring in his efforts to render every possible assistance and the results of some of his experiments have been incorporated into technical instructions for engineers in the British Army.

His work has been of a consistently very high standard and several improvements to equipment in use in the British Army have been suggested by him.

Unmindful of every other consideration, Lieutenant Colonel Górka has devoted himself to his work and his great ability has been assistance to the British Army and has been recognised, particularly by the Deputy Director Transportation (A) War office.

And the former Chief Engineer Scottish Command Brigadier C.C. Phipps C.B.E., M.C. who both endorse this recommendation".

Recommended by : Brigadier B.K. Young, Chief Engineer G.M.Q.H.F.

Counter signed by Lieutenant General Andrew Thorne C.M.G., D.S.O., General Officer Commanding -in-Chief Scottish Command.

Award : O.B.E. (Military Division)



O.B.E. (Military Division) in case of issue obverse



Pplk. Leopold Adam Górka sitting right of picture.

Podpulkownik Leopold Adam Górka was born on the 31st October 1892 and during the IIRP he was awarded the Cross of Valour, Independence Medal and Silver Cross of Merit.

He became the Head of the Military Institute of Engineering Research in 1936 and after the fall of France in 1940 came to the UK and set up the Engineering Technical Research Bureau in Crawford in 1940, this then moved to the Engineers Training Centre in Dundee in 1941. Later on in the war it moved again to Falkirk and then finally on to Irvine.

After the end of the war he settled down to civilian life in Scotland where he died in 1949.



Death entry for Leopold Adam Górka

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello Everyone,

Another Recommendation this time for the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to :

Wing Commander Walerian Żak

"This officer has flown 126 hours on operational flying including 14 Circuses, 19 Ramrods and 18 Rodeos. He has destroyed three enemy aircraft and probably destroyed one and his zeal and courage have at all times been an inspiration to the other pilots of his squadron.

In a recent operation No 308 Squadron under the command of Wing Commander Żak, while acting as close escort to anumber of bombers over France became separated from the remainder of the fighter force. When they were repeatedly attacked by a greatly superior force of enemy fighters resulting in fierce and prolonged combats.

It was largely due to Wing Commander Żak's leadership and courage that the only casualties inflicted on the bombers were one lost and one damaged".

Award : D.F.C.



Distinguished Flying Cross.

On the 17th November 1943 at RAF Northolt Air Vice Marshal H. W. L. Saunders presented the D.F.C. to W/C. Walerian Żak



Wing Commander Walerian Żak receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross also at this Investiture A.V.M. Saunders presented the Distinguished Service Order to Aleksander Gabszewicz and the Distinguished Flying Cross to Bolesław Michał Gładych



Gabszewicz, Żak and Gładych wearing their newly presented awards.

Walerian Żak was born on the 14th April 1911 during the War he received the Silver Virtuti Militari Cross numbered : 9616 and the Cross of Valour and Bar along with the D.F.C.

He died on the 13th March 1969 (although if you look on the grave stone it states the 14th)



Walerian and Jeanne Żak grave.

Best wishes

Andrzej