My father in his Polish army uniform

[jerzy1977]

OK, second attempt with a picture this time! Thanks to all those who advised.

Can anyone help ? I have this picture of my father in his Polish army uniform, the problem is I do not know which regiment he was with or where he fought.

This may be his dress uniform, not his battle one. He appears to have para insignia on his lapels, the arm flash appears to be the red cross on white shield. There is no thigh pocket common to British Army. The camp may be post war demob as the guard on duty seems to be a Marine.

My father never spoke about his early years in Poland, I can only guess he came to England around 1940, this I found from his sister in Poland who has not seen him since he was 18 years of age.

I have searched many websites, now I am at a loss, so any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Many thanks.


Margaret Turville (nee Belewski)

[Njorl]

Hello,

The photograph is missing. Try reposting it (using eg. imageshack or photobucket to upload the picture for free).

If you would have problems with it let me know - I'll try to help.

Regards,

MJU

[jerzy1977]

Hello MJU

Thanks for your advice. I have reposted the image and it is available for your examination. Regards.

[Njorl]

Red cross in white field is an emblem of British 8th Army, part of which was Polish 2nd Corps (it operated in Italy in 1943-45). On the other hand paratrooper's insignia would suggest Polish 1st Independent Paratroop Brigade, which never was part of Polish 2nd Corps.

Are you sure these things on lapels are para insignias? Maybe these are this - emblem of Carpathian Rifles?


source: http://www.polishsoldier.co.uk/index.htm

Regards

MJU

[jerzy1977]

Thanks MJU. I believe that the wings could be worn after a minimum of training jumps and official blind eyes were turned to their wearing. I think the edelweiss is unlikely as the family are from the Danzig corridor. Without the army number it is proving difficult to search but we are continuing to try.

Best regards.

[henryk]

The British 8th Army insignia is a yellow cross on a white shield.
http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/mediawi ... tharmy.gif
Probably he was in the 1st (Polish) Independent Parachute Brigade (Samodzielna Brygada Spadochronowa). The following link provides information, including organization:
http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/mediawi ... tharmy.gif
Also:
http://www.marketgarden.com/2010/UK/frames.html
and
http://arnhem1944.civ.pl/onasen.htm

[jerzy1977]

Thanks Henryk. Couldn't open the mediawiki file though after downloading the AHFmedia file. Plenty to look at on the Polish language pages.

[Steve]

The photo may have been taken at Penley (if not the similarity is remarkable) which was originaly an American camp in the UK which was taken over by the Poles. In 1946 it became the No. 3 Polish Hospital and as well as the treatment of war wounded was used for the Polish Resettlement Corps which ran till 1949. I know that the records still existed in 1991 and they probably still do.

[Ogorek]

Jerzy1977 -

Check your mailbox for a personal message

Ogorek

[Eagle20]

Can anyone help ? I have this picture of my father in his Polish army uniform, the problem is I do not know which regiment he was with or where he fought.

This may be his dress uniform, not his battle one. He appears to have para insignia on his lapels, the arm flash appears to be the red cross on white shield. There is no thigh pocket common to British Army. The camp may be post war demob as the guard on duty seems to be a Marine.

My father never spoke about his early years in Poland, I can only guess he came to England around 1940, this I found from his sister in Poland who has not seen him since he was 18 years of age.

I have searched many websites, now I am at a loss, so any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Many thanks.


Margaret Turville (nee Belewski)

Hi,
Have you tried the MOD for info on your Dad. The address is below:-

APC Polish Enquiries
Building 28B
RAF Northolt
West End Road
Ruislip
Middlesex
HA4 6NG