Hello I was wondering if anyone could help to try and track some information on a Flight Sergant who served with the RAF. His name was Tedeusz Zemla also known as Edward Jordon. He was polish and was born 3.05.1916 in Krackow. His RAF service number 705653. It is believed that he escaped a nazi work camp. It is also believed that he was a spy as he new both German and Russian languages. Any information or service records would be greatly appreciated if I could be pointed in the right direction. I have been unable to find anything on Ancestry and also forces war records website. Appreciate any help
Is this the man you are looking for ? Can you tell me his squadron and his trade - pilot, navigator, wireless operator, gunner etc ?
All forces personnel returning to Poland were under suspicion and treated as potential western spies. Many were jailed, tortured or even executed. Most were only allowed to take up menial jobs.
I had assumed that the reference was to his time in the UK. Yes I already knew about the attitude of the Communist regimes to returning servicemen but this had nothing to do with their language capabilities
Tadeusz Zemła (Jordon) Service No 705653 Born 03.05.1916 At Kraków Poland Died 16.06.2005 At Chadderton, Lancs British Rank: Flight Sergeant Polish Rank: Sierżant Trade: Pilot Decorations: Medal Lotnicy and British campaign medals. His war records are still held in Britain. All you need is a payment of £30, a copy of his death certificate his name rank , number and date of birth (all of which you will find above. The address you need is: Ministry of Defence APC Disclosures 5 (Polish), Building 1 (Ops) RAF Northolt West End Road Ruislip Middlesex HA4 6NG They no longer accept cheques so I would contact them regarding payment methods.
Given his place of death and Naturalisation Certificate in 1950 a return to Poland post war would be of very short duration or not at all ZEMLA, T Year of birth 1916 | The National Archives Naturalisation Certificate: Tadeusz Zemla. From Poland. Resident in Oldham, Lancashire.... | The National Archives Ross
That is the man in question. I literally have no more information as it's been a family secret for a very long time. He also had a mistress after the war. Amazing what you uncover doing family history. Is there anywhere online where i can see his military records