Hello All, I'm slowly piecing together the story of the service of my late uncle, Corporal Josef Pawlica who was with the Free Polish Forces having escaped from his home town of Trzebinia in western Poland. I have applied for his military records and I'm sure that will be a big help but in the meantime does anyone know what service/campaign medals he might have been entitled to? He served on the home front in Scotland in the early part of the war and then in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany from June 1944 until his demob in 1947. Any information will be most gratefully received!
I had the honour of meeting this Polish man in Merxplas, Belgium during 65th Anniversary celebrations and he served in the same places as your Great Uncle, namely with the Polish 1st Armoured Division. They landed in France at the beginning of August 1944. The British medals he is wearing are the 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star and the War Medal. The only other one I recognise is the Dutch "Thank you Liberators" commemorative medal. Maybe someone can fill in the details for the others, which look Polish (3) and maybe the other is Belgian. Edit: The first one is The Cross of Valor (Polish: Krzyż Walecznych) is a Polish military decoration. It was first introduced by the Council of National Defense on 11 August 1920. It is awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the field of battle." It may be awarded to the same person up to four times. The medal is given only in wartime or shortly after. Hope this helps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Valour_%28Poland%29#World_War_II The Cross of Valor (Polish: Krzyż Walecznych) is a Polish military decoration. It was first introduced by the Council of National Defense on 11 August 1920. It is awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the field of battle." It may be awarded to the same person up to four times.[1] The medal is given only in wartime or shortly after.[2] Polish Armed Forces in the West Military Action Cross Instituted: 17 May 1989. Awarded: To former members of the Polish Armed Forces in the West. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Memoria_Medal The Pro Memoria Medal is a civil state decoration awarded by the head of the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression. Established 25 January 2005, the medal is awarded for outstanding contributions in perpetuating the memory of the people and deeds in the struggle for Polish independence during World War II.[1] The 2 I cannot identify as yet are the Belgian one (far right) and what looks like an Allied medal (showing Canada, USA, UK and Poland) second from right. TD
TD The second from the right is the British 1939/45 Star with the ribbon the wrong way around - should be dark blue - Red - light blue - representing the Royal Navy as senior service - red for Army and light blue for the junior service Cheers
Hi Tom I recognise that one - its the one just below it and a little to the right, circular, white enamel with a map showing the Canadian, USA, British and Polish flag, it has a red/white/blue ribbon - thats the one I cannot identify yet. TD
Hi Ramacal Found this one in the Dutch section: There seem to be variants This is the one he was awarded TD
Many thanks to all of you - you've set me on the right lines. Sadly, whatever medals my uncle was awarded have long since vanished and I'm not sure whether or not its worth "collecting" a set as a replica as they weren't "his" if you understand my thought process. I'll mull it over... Rob - fantastic story, thank you for sharing it. I always find it an enormous privilege to meet veterans - it has been a bittersweet years as my family and I have attended both the 70th anniversary of DDay and Market Garden with our AEC Matador Gun tractor and we have met a good number of veterans who will not be with us for much longer. My youngest children (4 & 7) have met and spoken with these men and that will be with them always. This is why I'm pursuing my uncles service so that he can be remembered properly - thanks again for your help!
