Polish Graves

salientpoints · 22-02-2004, 12:39 PM

I have recently taken these two images of Polish flyers buried in a local cemetery. I wonder who else knows they are there? I certainly didn't and thought I would like to find out what happened to them.

Can anyone shed some insight on how I may find out?

Ryan

Paul Reed · 22-02-2004, 02:00 PM

These should be in the CWGC's listing, as they have CWGC headstones. Terry Denham, who I see has joined this forum, should be able to say more.

Records of Polish troops used to be held by MOD - where they are now, I don't know.

salientpoints · 22-02-2004, 04:32 PM

Thanks Paul,

There wasn't anything on the CWGC website as it doesn't seem to cover Polish servicemen.

Terry - as and when you may get a bit of time I would appreciate anything you can find and put together a little story about these two chaps.

Cheers,

Ryan

Paul Johnson · 22-02-2004, 10:01 PM

The CWGC does not cover Polish servicemen but there is a Roll of Honour for Polish Airmen in the PRO covering the period August 1940 to Feb 1941. I haven't uncovered any more data but if I do I will be happy to share it with you. I have taken a note of these names and will look out for any info on them, if thats OK with you.

PAUL JOHNSON

salientpoints · 22-02-2004, 10:08 PM

Thanks in advance Paul. If I too come across something before I'll follow up on this thread.

Ryan

Paul Reed · 22-02-2004, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Johnson@Feb 22 2004, 09:01 PM
The CWGC does not cover Polish servicemen

No, but they do record Polish casualties in their care, which these two are examples of them.

Terry Denham · 24-02-2004, 09:20 PM

Hi Chaps.

Before you all rush off.

CWGC looks after all Foreign National war graves in the UK except the US ones in Cambridge and Brookwood.

These two Poles are buried in Langney Cemetery, Eastbourne, Sussex (my home county) and I have visited them on numerous occasions.

Their full names are Plt Leon Hampel and Plt Marian Szmidt. They were Polish Air Force attd to RAF. You will also see Poles who were actual members of the RAF but they usually have standard CWGC headstones as they were 'British' (on the odd occasion they were permitted to have the Polish national style).

I have access to the 40,000 or so names of Foreign Nationals in CWGC care worldwide if anyone needs any info.

salientpoints · 24-02-2004, 09:39 PM

Thanks Terry -

I have emailed you off forum regarding trying to obtain more background to their story.

Ryan

22-02-2004, 12:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
salientpoints Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sussex Posts: 456	I have recently taken these two images of Polish flyers buried in a local cemetery. I wonder who else knows they are there? I certainly didn't and thought I would like to find out what happened to them. Can anyone shed some insight on how I may find out? Ryan __________________ Website: www.salientpoints.com - join the Whizzbangs & Woodbines WebRing In memory of Sgt. Frank Gearing 1254762 RAF & Pvt. Roland Bird 10582509 RAOC.

22-02-2004, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,600	These should be in the CWGC's listing, as they have CWGC headstones. Terry Denham, who I see has joined this forum, should be able to say more. Records of Polish troops used to be held by MOD - where they are now, I don't know. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

22-02-2004, 04:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
salientpoints Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sussex Posts: 456	Thanks Paul, There wasn't anything on the CWGC website as it doesn't seem to cover Polish servicemen. Terry - as and when you may get a bit of time I would appreciate anything you can find and put together a little story about these two chaps. Cheers, Ryan __________________ Website: www.salientpoints.com - join the Whizzbangs & Woodbines WebRing In memory of Sgt. Frank Gearing 1254762 RAF & Pvt. Roland Bird 10582509 RAOC.

22-02-2004, 10:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Paul Johnson Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: North Herts - UK Posts: 85	The CWGC does not cover Polish servicemen but there is a Roll of Honour for Polish Airmen in the PRO covering the period August 1940 to Feb 1941. I haven't uncovered any more data but if I do I will be happy to share it with you. I have taken a note of these names and will look out for any info on them, if thats OK with you. PAUL JOHNSON __________________ Frederick Arthur Lowry - ARP - Killed On Duty - 18th October 1940 Marguerite Beatrice Burge - WAAF - Murdered 30th January 1943. Iris Miriam Deeley - WAAF - Murdered 14th February 1944. Winifred Mary Evans - WAAF - Murdered 9th November 1944. http://www.stevenageatwar.com/

22-02-2004, 10:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
salientpoints Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sussex Posts: 456	Thanks in advance Paul. If I too come across something before I'll follow up on this thread. Ryan __________________ Website: www.salientpoints.com - join the Whizzbangs & Woodbines WebRing In memory of Sgt. Frank Gearing 1254762 RAF & Pvt. Roland Bird 10582509 RAOC.

24-02-2004, 09:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Terry Denham Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 8	Hi Chaps. Before you all rush off. CWGC looks after all Foreign National war graves in the UK except the US ones in Cambridge and Brookwood. These two Poles are buried in Langney Cemetery, Eastbourne, Sussex (my home county) and I have visited them on numerous occasions. Their full names are Plt Leon Hampel and Plt Marian Szmidt. They were Polish Air Force attd to RAF. You will also see Poles who were actual members of the RAF but they usually have standard CWGC headstones as they were 'British' (on the odd occasion they were permitted to have the Polish national style). I have access to the 40,000 or so names of Foreign Nationals in CWGC care worldwide if anyone needs any info. __________________ "War Graves are the great communication for peace" - Albert Schweitzer. Remembering:- Pte George Joseph Denham, Essex Regt KiA 16.08.17 Ypres: Rfn John Robert Ferguson, KRRC KiA 15.06.17 Ypres: Cpl John Hall MM, RFA KiA 04.06.16 Arras: Sjt Thomas Howarth, Loyal North Lancs KiA 11.08.16 Somme; Cpl Henry Denham, Parachute Regt KiA 06.06.44 Normandy: AB Henry Frank Ferguson, RNVR KiA 05.11.40 HMS Jervis Bay. Also, the casualties from Danehill and Chelwood Gate, Sussex.

24-02-2004, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
salientpoints Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sussex Posts: 456	Thanks Terry - I have emailed you off forum regarding trying to obtain more background to their story. Ryan __________________ Website: www.salientpoints.com - join the Whizzbangs & Woodbines WebRing In memory of Sgt. Frank Gearing 1254762 RAF & Pvt. Roland Bird 10582509 RAOC.

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