General Sikorski was Laid to Rest in Newark Cemetery From 1943-1993

Newark Cemetery, London Road, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQ

Newark Cemetery is open all year round  October – March 8am – 6pm

Spring – Summer  April – September 8am – 8pm

Za wolnosc nasza i wasza /

For our freedom and yours

  General Sikorski will live forever in our Hearts, RIP

Annual Airmen honoured the service remembers at Newark Cemetery on the last Sunday in September at 2pm. Let’s remember those who died during the Air bridge Operations when Britain and the Commonwealth forces answered a plea for help from the Polish Government in Exile to drop supplies to the Polish secret army which was striking back against the enemy.

Air Bridge – Sunday 30th September 2012  from the Main Gate  on London Road at 2pm

This event is held at Newark Cemetery, at a special memorial near to the Polish War Graves, organised by Newark Town Council.  The service remembers the 250 airmen who lost their lives during the Air Bridge operations, which helped the Warsaw uprising in 1944. People from Poland and all over the country attend and wreaths are laid.

28th October 2012

Annual All Souls is held at Commonwealth and Polish war graves at Newark Cemetery on the last Sunday each October at 3pm

General Wladyslaw Sikorski visited Newark Cemetery to unveil a Memorial Cross dedicated to Polish servicemen who had died fighting alongside the British.

A Memorial cross to the Polish airmen buried here was erected in the plot and unveiled on 15th July 1941 by President Raczkiewicz, ex-President of the Polish Republic and head of the war-time Polish Government in London, supported by General Sikorski, Commander in Chief of the Polish Forces and war-time Prime Minister. When both men subsequently died, General Sikorski (aged 62) in 1943 and President Raczkiewicz in 1947, they were buried at the foot of the Polish Memorial. General Sikorski’s It contains a memorial to Poland’s exiled war leader, General Wladyslaw Sikorski, who died when the aeroplane he was travelling in crashed over Gibraltar on the 4th July 1943.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=Newark+cemetery+General+sikorski&m=text

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=Newark+cemetery+uk&m=text

General Sikorski grave stone

Newark Cemetery, London Road, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQ

By Laurence Goff

FRIENDS OF NEWARK CEMETERY

Stowarzyszenie o nazwie Friends of Newark Cemetery powstało w listopadzie 2005 z myślą o niesieniu pomocy służbom odpowiedzialnym za opiekę nad cmentarzem, a także promowaniu go jako jednego z najbardziej urokliwych i ważnych ze względu na wartości historyczne zakątków miasta. Mając to na uwadze, wzięliśmy udział m. in.  w obchodach 150 rocznicy założenia Cmentarza, mających miejsce 7 października 2007, a prowadzonych przez Burmistrza miasta. Friends of Newark Cemetery przygotowują i prowadzą też odbywające się co roku Dni Otwarte cmentarza w the Interpretation Centre (budynek dawnej kaplicy).

DZIAŁALNOŚĆ

Na przestrzeni kilku ostatnich lat zasadziliśmy ponad 2000 roślin w pobliżu kaplicy, czyściliśmy pomniki i malowaliśmy ławki. Członkowie stowarzyszenia cały czas instalują budki dla ptaków, a także wytyczają obszary porośnięte dziką roślinnością i oprowadzają zorganizowane wycieczki po cmentarzu skupiając się na zagadnieniach zarówno historycznych, jak też przyrodniczych.

Pomagamy w walce z wandalizmem, a także inną, szkodliwą dla cmentarza, działalnością, ponadto we współpracy z Town Council dążymy do rozwiązania tego typu problemów. Jednym z naszych podstawowych celów jest udzielanie pomocy oraz informacji wszystkim odwiedzającym cmentarz oraz the Chapel Interpretation Centre, w związku z czym dążymy do zintensyfikowania dyżurów.

Jedną z ciekawszych inicjatyw Friends of Newark Cemetery stało się wydanie tzw. Comfort Book – zbioru wierszy, cytatów i ustępów z Pisma Świętego, przygotowanej z myślą o rodzinach zmarłych. W trakcie pracy nad książką poprosiliśmy o pomoc mieszkańców Newark pytając o to, jakie teksty i wiersze chcieliby w niej zobaczyć.

CHCESZ POMÓC?

Zapraszamy wszystkich chętnych. Prosimy o kontakt mailowy, listowny lub telefoniczny.

E-mail: friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk

Telefon: 07526950194

Adres do korespondencji:

Friends of Newark Cemetery

Mr Laurence Goff

Newark Town Hall, Market Place

NG24 1DU, Newark, Nottinghamshire

Uwaga: możliwy kontakt w języku polskim.

By Laurence Goff

By Laurence Goff

Newark On Trent it is in Nottinghamshire near to the County border with Lincolnshire, hence the close proximity to many bomber airfields. RAF Dibgy nearby was a fighter training and bomber affiliation base.

He was so impressed with the care of the War graves and requested that should he die while Poland was still occupied he would like to be buried in Newark Cemetery UK until Poland was once again a free Country.

By Laurence Goff

General Sikorski, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Forces and war time Polish Prime Minister

Our Moving memory to General Sikorski was killed when his aircraft, leaving Gibraltar on 4th July 1943, crashed into the sea. The Newark funeral was a memorable occasion with Polish troops lining the route from the King Street Roman Catholic church to the London Road Polish war cemetery.

13th September 1993

Thousands of Newarkers saw the procession headed by the exiled Polish government and Newark’s mayor,  Cyril Parlby on 16th July 1943. After his body was exhumed on 13th September 1993, General Sikoraki his was still wrapped in a British army blanket, with the Polish flag draped across a fresh coffin. Newark Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene overnight, guarded by members of the RAF Regiment with reversed arms.

After his body was exhumed on 13th September 1993, General Sikoraki his was still wrapped in a British army blanket, with the Polish flag draped across a fresh coffin. Newark Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene overnight, guarded by members of the RAF Regiment with reversed arms.

Next day the Duke of Edinburgh was among a crowded congregation for the first Roman Catholic service to be held in the Newark Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire since the reformation.

http://www.stmarysnewark.org

By Laurence Goff

Three Polish bishops officiated and music was provided by the RAF Cranwell band. A Newark civic party, headed by the town’s mayor, Harry Furness, flew with the body from Waddington to Warsaw. In Krakow Prince Philip, in field marshal’s uniform, walked with Newark’s mayor in his scarlet robe behind a gun carriage bearing the Sikorski coffin.

Poles crowded the route. At Warwel Royal Castle the procession halted for an outdoor service. Then General Sikorski was finally laid to rest in his home land. Fresh flowers now adorn the marble edifice at Newark Cemetery. General Sikorski’s name and title are inscribed on a silver plaque, but the circumstances of his violent death go unremarked for years to come. We must not forget the polish Airman and the Commonwealth they fought for freedom against the enemy and didn’t flinch. They fought to the end and then carried on the fight, we should be grateful. We certainly owe them a great deal of credit that they so rightly deserve.

By Laurence Goff

Polish War Memorial at Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire

Newark-on-Trent is important internationally, as it is home to the Commonwealth and Polish War Graves where there are many graves of Polish airmen who died during the second world war. A special plot was set aside in Newark Cemetery for RAF burials and this is now the war graves for people to see across the UK  and the World.  Former Airmen choosing to be buried since staying  in England after the 2nd World War.

By Laurence Goff

General Sikorski, Commander in Chief of the Polish Forces and war-time Prime Minister

Many Poles remained in the UK after the war, married and started families. Who resting place is also at Newark Cemetery. We should remember the many Polish airmen who were flying Spitfires with the Royal Air Force, and Commonwealth pilots, during the Battle of Britain and pay tribute to them for their contribution.

By Laurence Goff

General Sikorski former resting place at Newark Cemetery until 13th September 1993

By Laurence Goff

Za wolnosc nasza i wasza / For our freedom and yours

During the Second World War there were a number of R.A.F. stations within a few miles of Newark, from many of which operated squadrons of the Polish Air Force. A special plot was set aside in Newark Cemetery for R.A.F.

Let us all Remember the many Polish Airmen that were flying Spitfires with the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain

Newark resting place with burials of Polish Airmen, this is now the war graves plot, where all but ten of the 90 Commonwealth and all of the 397 Polish burials were made.

By Laurence Goff

Remembering the many Polish Airmen that were flying Spitfires with the Royal Air Force

Polish and Commonwealth War Graves in Newark - Za wolnosc nasza i wasza / For our freedom and yours

Many Polish Airmen were flying Spitfires fighters for Britain’s Royal Force during the Battle of Britain. By the end of the war, 17,000 Polish pilots and ground crew members had formed 14 squadron in the RAF. 2.000 were kill with 422 buried in Newark-On-Trent.

Za wolnosc nasza i wasza / For our freedom and yours

By Laurence Goff

Newark-On-Trent is also important internationally, as it contains the Commonwealth and Polish War Graves

The cemetery also contains 49 scattered burials of the First World War. A memorial cross to the Polish airmen buried here was erected in the plot and was unveiled in 1941 by President Raczkiewicz, ex-President of the Polish Republic and head of the war time Polish Government in London, supported by General Sikorski, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Forces and war time Polish Prime Minister. When both men subsequently died, General Sikorski in 1943 and President Raczkiewicz in 1947, they were buried at the foot of the Polish Memorial. General Sikorski’s remains were returned to Poland in 1993, but there is still a memorial to him at Newark. Za wolnosc nasza i wasza / For our freedom and yours

By Laurence Goff

http://www.flickr.com/photos/newarkcemeteryuk/4847887910/in/photostream/

By Laurence Goff

Stanisław Ostrowski (October 29, 1892 – November 22, 1982) was a Polish politician, best known for serving as the last President. Za wolnosc nasza i wasza / For our freedom and yours

Stanisław Ostrowski

Born on 29 October 1892 in Lwow (Lvov), where he completed secondary school and, in 1919, the Faculty of Medicine of the Jan Kazimierz University.In 1912 joined the secret National Youth Organisation. Was member of the Gunners Union where he completed non-commissioned officers school and officers college. During the First World War, joined the 1st Brigade of the Legions and then in the Military Department of the Supreme National Committee.

Served in the Austrian army and in 1918 took part in the defence of Lwow. Later served in the Polish Army as a physician in Captains rank until 1922. After the war, he was an Assistant Professorof the Jan Kazimierz University, and from 1934 Deputy Mayor, and, subsequently, Mayor of the City of Lwow. Imprisoned by NKWD in Lwow and Moscow, was sentenced to 8 years of labour camp in Siberia and Mongolia. As a soldier of the 2nd Corps of General Anders took part in the Italian Campaign. After the Second World War, worked as a physician and professor of medicine. Sworn in as President on 9 April 1972, he resigned after a 7 years term of office, passing the function to Edward Raczynski. Died in London on 22 November 1982.

President Ostrowski died in London and is buried in a Polish military cemetery in Newark, along with past Presidents in exile.

In 1987 a table dedicated to Ostrowski was unveiled in Saint Stanisław Kostka church in Warsaw (Żoliborz).

Wellington N2848 on Buckden Pike, north of Kettlewell.This incident is well documented on a website run by surviving airmans son at “www.buckdenpike.co.uk” although this appears not to have been updated for some years.On the night of 30th/31st January 1942 the in this aircraft took off from Bramcote in Warwickshire to undertake a night time cross-country training flight over the north of England. Flying over Yorkshire they were met with heavy falling snow and poor visibilty, they eventually became lost in the Skipton area and around the same time the effects of icing conditions occured on the aircrafts surfaces which would have made controlling it difficult. Although it was not allowed many pilots opted to descend when they were lost in poor visibility to try and drop below the cloud or weather and try and get a visual fix on their position. It is possible that this occured in this case but with the aircraft was flying over Upper Wharfedale there was little space to descend before the aircraft struck a wall close to the summit of Buckden Pike. The aircraft crashed into snow covered grassy slope and broke up, it passed through a dry stone wall before coming to a halt pretty much on the summit ridge. The rear turret broke off during the crash and this probably saved the rear gunners life. The events surrounding his survival are well documented and have become legendary in the Yorkshire fellwalking community. He found a set of fox footprints in the snow which he followed, eventually these took him down to the small village of Cray where he sought help. He was met by lady by the name of Nanny Pember who was out tending to her hens and noticed a strange shape in the snow, after investigating it turned out to be the surviving airman. By the time help arrived at the crash site his fellow airmen had all died. The entry in the Unit ORB states that he showed “great fortitude and determination in his efforts.” In May 1942 he was presented with the BEM at Buckingham Palace for his bravery.Pilot – F/Lt Czeslaw Kujawa PAF (P/0115), aged 26, Buried Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.2nd Pilot – P/O Jerzy Polczyk PAF (P/1615), aged 24, Buried Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.Obs – F/O Tadeusz J Bieganski PAF (P/1368), aged 28, Buried Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.WOp/AG – Sgt Jan Sadowski PAF (792642), aged 32, died of injuries before help arrived. Buried Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.Front Gunner – Sgt Jan A Tokarzewski PAF (782024), aged 25, Buried Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.Rear Gunner – Sgt Jozef Fusniak PAF (780945), injured, broken left ankle.

www.buckdenpike.co.uk

P/O Jerzy Polczyk and his gravestone in Newark Cemetery

---

By Laurence Goff

The four other airmen’s gravestones sadly killed as a result of this aircraft accident

During Britain’s darkest hour, Polish pilots came to the UK and formed fighter squadrons that would operate during the Battle of Britain 70 years ago.

RAF Winthorpe near Newark was established in 1940. It was a satellite station for RAF Swinderby over the border in Lincolnshire. Two Polish squadrons, 300 and 301, were based at Winthorpe.

After the Battle of Britain more Polish squadrons were formed. By the end of 1943, a total of 14 Polish squadrons, including ten fighter squadrons, and a complete infrastructure was in existence, making the Polish Air Force the fourth largest Allied air force, numbering, on December 1, 1943, 11,638 personnel.

We must not forget the Polish airmen and those of the Commonwealth. They fought for freedom against the enemy and didn’t flinch.

We certainly owe them a debt of gratitude.

The Battle of  Britain

Bravery they face

By Laurence Goff

Annual Air Bridge on the last Sunday in September, 1.45pm Guests and Standard Bearers assemble at Newark Cemetery, Main Gates on London Road, 2pm Procession to the Air Bridge Memorial

The Polish Air Bridge Monument in Newark

The Air Bridge Monument in Newark remembers the aircrew who died during world war two, supporting the popular uprising in Warsaw of 1944. The uprising badly needed the support of the allies to provide food and munitions to the Polish Partisans, resulting in the Polish Government in London appealing to Churchill for assistance. After many discussions with the Allied Command and no help from Russia (they refused to grant permission for allied aircraft to land there) Churchill was told that an airlift of 2000 miles there and back would have no hope of success – the loss of aircraft flying over occupied territory would be to large. Although Churchill agreed, he nevertheless ordered the operation to be proceeded. The task was allocated to 205 group, of which RAF Squadrons 148 and 178, SAAF 31 and 34 squadrons and Polish Special Services Flight 1586 were part. The losses were horrendous, for every ton of supplies delivered and recovered by the Polish insurgents one aircraft was lost (39 four-engine bombers total). The operation was called “Warsaw Concerto”.

By Laurence Goff

President Władysław Raczkiewicz of Polish buried at War Graves at Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire

Władysław Raczkiewicz

Born on 28 January 1885 in Caucasus. Son of a judge and grandson of a participant of the 1863 January Uprising, whose property was confiscated and he himself exiled to Siberia and then resettled to Caucasus. Completed secondary school in Tver, and studied in St. Petersburg, where he joined the illegal National Youth Organisation, and then the Polish Youth Union “Zet”, where he played aleading role. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Dorpat, Estoniain 1911.

After military service, started his career as an attorney in Minsk, capital of Byelorussia (now Belarus). In 1917, as former Warrant Officer of the tsarist army, was engaged in the creation of the Polish military formations in Russia. At the 1st General Congressof the Polish Military in Petrograd, he was elected President (the honorary presidency was awarded to Jozef Pilsudski). He was the Chairman of the Supreme Polish Military Committee which, after the Bolsheviks victory, was moved to Minsk. Co-operated with the Regency Council. Atthe end of the First World War he held the rank of Major. In 1921, he was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, which position he held three times.

He was a voivode (province governor) several times. Became a senator in 1930 and, subsequently, Marshal (Speaker) of the Senate. Having assumed the office of the President on 30 September 1939, he appointed General Wladyslaw Sikorski Prime Minister, and after his death – Stanislaw Mikolajczyk. After the Yalta Conference, the great powers of the Coalition with drew their recognition for the Polish government-in-exile. On 6 June 1947 Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz died, having previously designated August Zaleski to the post of the President.

By Laurence Goff

August Zaleski

Born on 13 September 1883. Before the First World War completed studies in London. Worked in Warsaw as a librarian of the Krasinski estate. In 1917, lectured, on a permanent basis, in Polish language and literaturein London, where he joined the masonry, using the organistaion as ameans of influence for the benefit of Poland. During the First World War, one of his tasks was to convince the British that the action of the Pilsudskis army was not directed against the coalition powers, but only against Russia.

Was a diplomat accredited to Switzerland, Greece, Italy. After the coup detat of May 1926, he accepted the foreign affairs portfolio. He was successful at the Nations League forum. From 1928 to 1935 he was a senator. Later, he was the President of the Supreme Board of Bank Handlowy (Commercial Bank) in Warsaw, which he evacuated to France in September 1939. Having assumed the office of the President in exile (April 1947), he appointed General Tadeusz Bor-Komorowski Prime Minister. Having completed a 7 years term of office, he extended the term indefinitely. One of his adherents was Cat-Mackiewicz who replaced him at the post of Prime Minister, where as General Anders refused to obey him. Before his death in April 1972 he designated Stanislaw Ostrowski as his successor.

Za wolnosc nasza i wasza / For our freedom and yours

http://www.derekcrowe.com/photoset.aspx?id=38

http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/

http://www.secondworldwar.org.uk/spitfire.html

The Spitfire

By Mike Kemble with additional research by Ray Holden

Images: http://www3.sympatico.ca/angels_eight/421spit.html where you can find much more

Acknowledgements & Useful Sites:

http://www.trasksdad.com/PopsProg/poem.HTM

http://www.fighter-collection.com/spit_xxii/

http://www.supermarine-spitfire.co.uk/spitfire.html

http://www.spitfiresociety.demon.co.uk/intro.htm

http://www.spitcrazy.com/

http://www.spitfire-sculpture.co.uk/spit1.htm

http://www.nzfpm.co.nz

http://www.luftwaffe-experten.co.uk/supermarine.html

http://www.spitcrazy.com/

http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/meltingpot/lightsey/28/machines/Spitfire.htm

http://www.spitfireflight.com/

http://www.rafmuseumphotos.com/page.php?page=index

http://www.spitfireflight.com/ A spitfire Restoration Site, and they sometimes have spares for sale. Check it out here.

http://mellanium.com/spitfireworld.htm – Virtual Spitfire World

http://www.spitfirerestoration.com/ An Excellent site on Spitfire Restoration

http://www.asrmcs-club.com/ – Air Sea Rescue

http://www.flyingmachinestv.co.uk/SpitPL965.wmv Wonderful Video

http://www.ody.ca/~bwalker/RAF_owned_w9999.html RCAF Spits

http://www.spitfiresociety.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10089490@N06/5030594123/

Victory Salute” by Robert Taylor

http://www.acesofww2.com/UK/UK.htm

Squadron No:

300 - 301 - 302 303 - 304 - 305 306 - 307 - 308 309 - 315 - 316 317 - 318 - 663

Polish Fighting Team
Fighter pilots scores

We should be grateful, thanks to the Polish who were first to fight during the 2nd World War

Bibliography
Their aicraft
Records
Movies
Links

“Spitfire Country” by Nicolas Trudgian

Za wolnosc nasza i wasza / For our freedom and yours

This website

RAF Lindholm, 24 April 1942. Gen Siskorski visiting the squadron.

Left: The Polish Air Force’s colors. In its lower part embroidered is  sentence:“Love demands sacrifice”. The other side contains the ancient Polish watchwords: “For God, Honor and Country”.

One of the squadron’s Wellington ICs.
Visible propeller points to the Polish sign which reads: “UWAGA NA SMIGLO” – watch for propeller.

Many Thanks From

http://www.polishsquadronsremembered.com

 

by Laurence Goff

Sikorski Close
Newark NG24 1FD

Laurence Goff
Friends of Newark Cemetery Chairman

www.maps.google.co.uk

Newark-On-Trent Cemetery Nottinghamshire, which is located  off London Road. Since it First opened in 1856, with two former Chapels one each side of the main Arch. These website has been set up as a fitting tribute, the views expressed our solely my own.

Open every Weekend  from 2:00pm – 4:00pm or by appointment.

Visitor numbers at the Chapel Interpretation centre at Newark Cemetery have been higher than expected,

so Friends of Newark Cemetery organisation helping Newark town council with the centre. Several

hundred members of the public have stopped to visit the former chapel which was first open back

in 1856, and the Newark town council reopened in 2011, with the support of Friends of Newark Cemetery

after closing it doors 45 years ago. The centre contains displays of the history of Newark cemetery,

Commonwealth and Polish during the World War II. Our beautiful and historic Newark Cemetery,

London Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire for over 150 years since 1856.

Our beautiful and historic Newark Cemetery, London Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire for over 150 years since 1856. This memorial website is Laurence Goff personal views, I have put it together and do not represent Newark Town Council . It dedicated to the thousands of  people since 1856.  Many are happy to have a resting place at Newark Cemetery for all to see and view. Having a means of further promoting Newark cemetery, and encouraging interested people to join the tribute.

This is a privately owned and maintained, not-for-profit, website which is supported privately, the content here is solely the responsibility of Laurence Goff.

Any comments about this website can  sent to me.

Laurence Goff

Chairman Friends of Newark Cemetery

www.facebook.com/cllrlaurencegoffnewark
www.flickr.com/photos/friendsofnewarkcemetery
www.newarkcemeteryuk.wordpress.com/

friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk

01636-681878 {home}

Click on  for location of Cemetery Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQ

www.maps.google.co.uk