Monte Casino Cross & Mystery

[ackworth14]

I have been eagerly going through the posts about recipients in the hope that details of the long awaited list would appear. Sadly it doesnt look any closer so I wonder if someone may have some information. I know his regiment was 6th Children of Lwow Armoured Regiment but I cannot make his name out from the photo which was taken in Tel Aviv in 1943.

My mystery is this, this is part of a collection which has been housewd in a frame under glass for many many years and only removed a couple of days ago. The cross of Jeruselum is Silver (officer issue) and the cloth badges are gold and silver wirework also indictaing an officer, in addition the medal ribbon group isnt cloth but enamel. But when i look closely on the photo his rank slide appears to be that of a corporal ?

Hope someone may be able to shed some light... thanks in anticipation

[Wisnia]

Hello ackworth14
First letter surname:K;p6p,2 Bpanc.
I have saved only:
30591:kpr.Kwaśnik Leopold;p6p;2 Bpanc.1914-292-III.
30596lut.Kluz Jan;p6p;2 Bpanc.1910.
Only DEAR Andrzejku can write more...
Best wishes
Artur

[andrzejku98]

Hello ackworth14,

Many thanks for your post and may I be the first to welcome you to the Forum, the Monte Cassino Cross when awarded the recipients details were as follows:

Rank: Kapral (Corporal)

Surname: KISZKA

Christian Name : Andrzej

Fathers Name : Paweł

Date of Birth : 1905

Army Number: (also found on His ID Tags) : 1905-125-III

Unit : Pułk 6 Pancerny „Dzieci Lwowskich” (6th Armoured Regiment named the "Children of Lwów.

Andrzej in 1939 was either a serving Regular or a Reservist, he was captured by the Russians in Stanisławów on the 18th September 1939 and after release from the gulags joined the Anders Army at Buzuluk on the 2nd September 1941.

After the end of the war Andrzej came with his Regiment to the UK, he died in Leeds in 1976.

I hope that the above information is of some use and help to you and my bill is in the post.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[andrzejku98]

Hello ackworth14,

The award of the Bronze Cross of Merit with Swords would denote an award to a NCO or Private, the medal ribbon bars you might find are plastic, Now with the Pope Leo XII Jerusalem Pilgrims Cross, Latin : Signum Sacri Itineris Hierosolymitani. The Signum Sacri Itineris Hierosolymitani was established by Pope Leo XIII on 2 May 1901 to honour and to endorse pilgrimage to the Holy Places of Christianity in Palestine. So the more pilgrimage sites one visited the better the cross received.

I hope that the above answers all your questions.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[ackworth14]

WOW ... what can I say other than thanks so much not only for the details but also for the speed or response !!!
In fact as I didnt expect a quick reply I rang the Institute in London regarding the list and was told its STILL a work in progress
and they have no time frame for its completion.

Thank you again for all your help

[andrzejku98]

Hello ackworth14,

Many thanks for your reply, having known Dr Andrzej Suchcitz for nearly 30 years now, the Register is still in the proof reading stage and should hopefully be ready for publication late next year. This will depend on the proof reading and cross referencing each entry with 48,820 + that is a lot of work for one person. I know because it took me a year to transfer the list onto disc for the PISM and before you ask I handed copyright over to them.

Best wishes

Andrzej

[Wisnia]

Hello ackworth14
About KISZKA Andrzej note,polish language;
Rank:lance sergeant last:sergeant major.Place of birth:Urzejowice 1905,he died 8th September 1976 in Leeds.Fathers name:Paweł.In 1939,rank private,unit polish 39th Infantry Regiment.Captured for russian soldier 18th September 1939 in Stanisławów.Prisoner russian camps:Zaporoże,Siewżełdorłag on 3th June 1940.In polish Army (USRR) in 2nd September 1941-Buzułuk.Awarded Cross of Merit with Swords.In 1948 combatant association 6th armoured regiment.
Best wishes
Artur

[A.J. Zawadzki]

. . . The cross of Jeruselum is Silver (officer issue) and the cloth badges are gold and silver wirework also indictaing an officer, in addition the medal ribbon group isnt cloth but enamel. But when i look closely on the photo his rank slide appears to be that of a corporal ?

Re the Jerusalem Cross, see below. As far as uniform insignia, when the Poles were dressing up their ‘best’ uniform tunics in the immediate post war years, deluxe insignia was the preferred choice by all ranks, and used regardless of wartime era regulations. If a soldier could obtain premium grade insignia then it was going onto their uniform, rank be damned. Plastic ribbon bars (and insignia) was also popular, which you can read more about by running a search here under “Castelfidardo” or perhaps even “plastic”.

. . . So the more pilgrimage sites one visited the better the cross received. . . .

While frequency of visits may have been on the regulation sheet, just like paying one’s way out of Purgatory, in good old fashioned Roman Catholic fashion it is known that an upgrade to a silver cross was also directly proportional to the amount of cash handed over at time of purchase. This is likely the reason that bronze third class crosses are considerable scarcer than the silver crosses.

Cheers,
Tony

[ackworth14]

Many thanks Arthur & Tony.

I have to say as a part time antiques dealer I am a member of several forums mainly relating to glass & ceramics but the quailty and speed of information and the willingness to share that information by the members here is astounding and i thank you all.
This is my first venture into the world of Polish items, I have a small amount of English & German edged weapons & insignia that I deal in and
am fairly confident about those items, although I would in no way consider myself very knowledgable. I live in an area which has a fairly large Polish
community - this is pre-Brexit of course, and I was asked to find out about this collection from a local family which is why I was fortunate to discover this wonderful forum.
I shall shortly be posting again as i have now been asked to dispose of this collection. Its ok im not seeking valuations !! I would just be interested to hear the opinions and advise from genuine collectors on its disposal.
Many thanks again and I look forward to further visits in the future.

[ackworth14]

Many thanks Wisnia , is there any way of validating the award of the Cross of Merit with swords ?? Many thanks Rod