The new Polish Air Force Memorial Committee exhibition is located in The Polish Air Force Room in the heart of RAF Northolt’s Officers’ Mess. Photo Marek Borzęcki.
Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek opened the new Polish Air Force Memorial Committee exhibition in RAF Northolt Officers’ Mess with Station Commander Gp Capt Toria McPhaden. Photo Marek Borzęcki.
Poland Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek placed a wreath at RAF Northolt’s memorial to Polish and other pilots who died flying from the Station. Photo Marek Borzęcki.
The new Polish Air Force Memorial Committee exhibition is located in The Polish Air Force Room in the heart of RAF Northolt’s Officers’ Mess. Photo Marek Borzęcki.
4 May 2022
New Polish Air Force Exhibition opens at RAF Northolt
The Consul General of Poland, Mateusz Stąsiek has officially opened the new Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) exhibition housed in the historic Officers’ Mess at RAF Northolt.
The new exhibition contains artefacts and memorabilia from the PAFMC Collection, as well as loaned items. The offer of the new facility in the heart of the Officers’ Mess was kindly made by the Station Commander, Group Captain Toria McPhaden, recognising the important shared heritage of the Polish Squadrons which flew from her Station during the war. This exhibition area in the Officer’s Mess will be known as The Polish Air Force Room.
Poland Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek said: "I am honoured to have opened a new exhibition dedicated to the Polish Air Force in the historic Officers’ Mess at RAF Northolt. It represents the newest addition to the map of places of Polish heritage in the United Kingdom and reminds us very well of the vital contribution of the Polish Air Force during the Second World War. Thank you to the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee and RAF Northolt for making this important display possible."
The opening of the new exhibition was the focus of the Consul General’s visit to RAF Northolt where he also placed a wreath at the Station’s memorial to Polish and other pilots who died flying from RAF Northolt.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new PAFMC exhibition the Consul General, together with representatives from RAF Northolt and Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Trustees, enjoyed a buffet lunch in the Officers’ Mess.
The Consul General’s visit was hosted jointly by RAF Northolt Station Commander Gp Cpt Toria McPhaden and Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Chairman Richard Kornicki.
RAF Northolt Station Commander, Group Captain Toria McPhaden said: "It is a privilege and honour to continue to support our Polish community and its long history with RAF Northolt. The new exhibition will ensure the Polish connection continues to be visible and remain a part of the rich heritage of RAF Northolt"
PAFMC Chairman Richard Kornicki said: “We are extremely grateful to the Station Commander and the members of the Officers’ Mess for offering us this splendid new facility in the historic heart of RAF Northolt. It will play a key part in enabling us to tell the story of the Polish Air Force to an ever-widening range of visitors.”
The new exhibition in the Officers’ Mess will be open to anyone interested, but because RAF Northolt is an operational RAF Station, visits must be arranged in organised tours.
Dates of open tours will be placed on this website shortly; visits to the exhibition on other dates can be arranged for group bookings, subject to staff availability and operational requirements.