Memories wanted of Polish heroes for wartime festival

Fifers are being urged to share stories of the Polish soldiers who were based in the kingdom during the Second World War.

The call has gone out from organisers of this weekend’s Defend Fife Festival, who are welcoming representatives from the Archive of the Institute of National Remembrance in Warsaw to Dunfermline to the gathering.

The institute works to preserve the memories of previous generations of Polish people at home and abroad and it is appealing for any artefacts belonging to families in Fife which could boost its collections.

A spokesman for the group said: “During the tragic years of the Second World War, thousands of Polish soldiers found refuge in Scotland and it is here they could start the fightback for a free Poland and Europe, shoulder to shoulder with the British. Many forged close bonds with the Scots, like Tadeusz Starzynski, a “silent unseen” who found a second home among a family in Aberdeen before returning to his occupied motherland in 1944 to fight as a member of the Polish Home Army.

“Some 72 years later we could retell his story thanks to the Scottish family who preserved his letters, photos, diaries and artefacts and handed them to us for our archive so that one more hero would be remembered.

“Maybe some forgotten document in your drawers, cellar or attic is waiting to be found and help fill in the gaps in our history.”

The festival is being held in Dunfermline and Lathalmond on Saturday and Sunday. Members of the public are being invited to share their stories in person, or by email to info@defendfife.co.uk