fef6025b-d809-40ff-924d-77753873a51c Polish Bomber Squadrons Centre opens John Franklin (Mieczysław Frąckiewicz) a 104 year old veteran and wireless operator of 304 Sqn performed the ribbon cutting opening ceremony. Photo courtesy Andy Dziegiel. Krzysztof de Berg made a speech on behalf of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee. Photo courtesy Andy Dziegiel. Standard bearers and national flags. Photo courtesy Andy Dziegie. John Franklin (Mieczysław Frąckiewicz) a 104 year old veteran and wireless operator of 304 Sqn performed the ribbon cutting opening ceremony. Photo courtesy Andy Dziegiel. 1/4 3 May 2024 Polish Bomber Squadrons Centre opens The world’s first Polish Bomber Squadrons Centre, dedicated to the Polish Bomber Squadrons flying alongside and under the operational command of the RAF during WW2, was officially opened on 17 April at the former disused RAF Ingham airfield near Fillingham in Lincolnshire. (What3Words stung.aimlessly.sometimes 0 The unique Polish Bomber Squadrons Centre aims to preserve the memories of Polish and British airmen who flew with the Polish bomber squadrons during the war. A team of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers formed the RAF Ingham Heritage Group in 2010. Led by founder and chairman Geoff Burton the volunteers spent the last 14 years transforming the derelict and former wartime mess into the Polish Bomber Squadrons Centre. Around 180 invited guests attended the opening ceremony including a delegation of senior Polish Air Force officers from Poland. Following introductory speeches by Polish Consul General in Manchester Michał Mazurek, Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Chairman Krzysztof de Berg and Geoff Burton, the world heritage centre was officially opened in a ribbon cutting ceremony by John Franklin (Mieczysław Frąckiewicz) a 104 year old veteran and wireless operator of 304 Sqn. For more information see this website link https://www.rafingham.co.uk/ Consul's speech .pdf Download PDF • 30KB PAFMC speech .pdf Download PDF • 61KB Previous Next

PAF Cadets visit Northwood Graves Previous Next The Cadets placed a wreath on the restored grave of Air Vice Marshal Mateusz Iżycki. He was the wartime General Inspector of the Polish Air Force. The Cadets placed a wreath on the restored grave of Air Vice Marshal Mateusz Iżycki. He was the wartime General Inspector of the Polish Air Force. A wreath was placed on the recently restored gravestone of Gp/Cpt Jerzy Bajan. During the war he was the Senior Polish Liaison Officer RAF Fighter Command and post war the President of the Polish Air Force Association in the UK. The Cadets placed a wreath on the restored grave of Air Vice Marshal Mateusz Iżycki. He was the wartime General Inspector of the Polish Air Force. 1/8 Wednesday, 10 September 2025 PAF Cadets visit Northwood Graves A delegation of Officer Cadets from the Polish Air Force University Deblin, led by Vice Rector Commandant Col pilot Col Pilot Andrzej Truskowski, made a recent visit to Northwood cemetery. They placed wreaths on the graves of Polish Air Force pilots killed during the Second World War in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission section of the cemetery. This was followed with placing a wreath on the restored grave of Air Vice Marshal Mateusz Iżycki. He was the wartime General Inspector of the PAF and also the first Chairman of the Committee, which designed and built the PAF Memorial at South Ruislip. A wreath was also placed on the recently restored gravestone of Gp/Cpt Jerzy Bajan. During the war he was Senior Polish Liaison Officer RAF Fighter Command and post war the President of the Polish Air Force Association in the UK. He was also a temporary Chairman of the committee, which designed and built the PAF Memorial, after Air Vice Marshal Mateusz Iżycki retired. The restoration of both graves was a £3,000 commission from the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) for stonemason Francis Sancisi. Details of the grave restorations can be found at these links: https://www.polishairforcememorialcommittee.org/news-2024-1/pafmc-undertakes-major-grave-restoration . https://www.polishairforcememorialcommittee.org/news-2025/-polish-airmen%E2%80%99s-grave-restoration-completed- The funding for the restoration of the two headstones was secured from very generous donations raised in Poland, kindly co-ordinated and gathered by Stowarzyszenie Przyjaciół Lotniska Wojskowego Świdwin (Association of Friends of Military Air Base in Świdwin). They conducted a fund-raising campaign and collected funds from various donors for the renovation. Previous Next

4dc97d65-f48f-47d9-89e3-f286f1440ad3 Suffolk Spitfire joins Polish Heritage Flight Suffolk Spitfire RW382 joins Polish Heritage Flight. Suffolk Spitfire RW382 joins Polish Heritage Flight. Suffolk Spitfire RW382 joins Polish Heritage Flight. Suffolk Spitfire RW382 joins Polish Heritage Flight. 1/4 28 August 2024 Suffolk Spitfire joins Polish Heritage Flight The Duxford based Suffolk Spitfire RW382 has joined the Polish Heritage Flight (PHF) with a commemorative 302 Polish Squadron ‘Operation Overlord’ D-Day colour scheme, as a tribute to international cooperation and unity. The epic levels of hard work, skill and dedication by the volunteer team, led by Pete Medley of Flying Colours Contracts, with support from Vintage Fabrics at Audley End Airfield, Suffolk Spitfire, Sam Forbes from Marshall ADG and Wisdom Art Prints, has resulted in this stunning dedication. The herculean effort took place across just 36 hours with thanks and gratitude also to Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Spitfire RW382’s new paint scheme honours the aircraft flown by Polish-American pilot Michael J Murayda, His story is a compelling example of dedication and bravery. Born in Akron, Ohio, to Polish immigrant parents, he volunteered for the Royal Air Force through Canada and joined the Polish 302 ‘City of Poznan’ Squadron. He served during Operation Overlord and subsequently with the USAAF 56th Fighter Group, flying P-47 Thunderbolts from RAF Boxted. This highlights the diverse contributions of Allied forces in the war effort. 302 Squadron operated from Duxford during the Battle of Britain and later went on to provide daylight fighter escort for USAAF B-17 Flying Fortresses. It was the first Polish Squadron to land in Normandy, which underscores their crucial involvement in the Allied victory. Their first base in Normandy was at the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) B.10 Plumetot. A memorial unveiled in Plumetot in 2019 serves as a lasting reminder of their sacrifice and bravery. The PHF, with Hawker Hurricane G-HURI and now the Suffolk Spitfire RW382, brings to life the legacy of international co-operation and unity. This initiative not only preserves the memory of these courageous pilots and crews, but also inspires the public to remember the vital contributions they made to the Allied victory in the Second World War. Partners Wisdom Art Prints have released their latest ArtPrint to commemorate Spitfire RW382’s new colour scheme. Spitfire RW382 was built at Castle Bromwich in 1945 originally as a low-back clipped wing MkXVI. Following a fatal crash in the USA in 1998 the wreakage was shipped back to the UK and rebuilt and converted to a MkIX by The Spitfire Company at Biggin Hill. See more information on RW382 at this link https://suffolkspitfire.co.uk The Spitfire will make its first public appearance in the new 302 Sqn colour scheme on Saturday 31 August after the annual and 63rd commemoration of homage to fallen Polish Airmen at the Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip. It will fly down from Duxford and land at RAF Northolt and park near to the Officers’ Mess where lunch guests will be able to get up close. Previous Next

Poles fly in for air rally Previous Next A service of commemoration was held at the Polish Air Force Memorial by a group of Polish civilian pilots from the Światowe Stowarzyszenie Lotników Polskich (World Association of Polish Airmen), who flew to the UK in several light aircraft, together with a delegation of around 40 who flew in to RAF Northolt from Poland. A service of commemoration was held at the Polish Air Force Memorial by a group of Polish civilian pilots from the Światowe Stowarzyszenie Lotników Polskich (World Association of Polish Airmen), who flew to the UK in several light aircraft, together with a delegation of around 40 who flew in to RAF Northolt from Poland. The Polish pilots and delegation from the Światowe Stowarzyszenie Lotników Polskich, led by its president Lt Gen (Ret) pilot Tadeusz Mikutel, 3rd from the right, were welcomed at the Polish Air Force Memorial by the PAFMC and Polish Embassy. A service of commemoration was held at the Polish Air Force Memorial by a group of Polish civilian pilots from the Światowe Stowarzyszenie Lotników Polskich (World Association of Polish Airmen), who flew to the UK in several light aircraft, together with a delegation of around 40 who flew in to RAF Northolt from Poland. 1/4 Saturday, 31 May 2025 Poles fly in for air rally. A group of Polish civilian pilots from the Światowe Stowarzyszenie Lotników Polskich (SSLP) (World Association of Polish Airmen) based in Warsaw, flew to the UK in several light aircraft as part of an air rally, which took place from 19 to 31 May. They departed from Warsaw’s Babice Airport and landed at several airfields where Polish Air Force pilots were based during the Second World War. On the 29 May they were joined by a delegation of around 40 who flew in to RAF Northolt from Poland. This was led by SSLP president Lt Gen (Ret) pilot Tadeusz Mikutel and were met on the apron and welcomed by Krzysztof de Berg, chairman of the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC), and Deputy Defence Attachés Robert Pawlicki and Mariusz Piotrowski from the Polish Embassy. The delegation transferred to the nearby Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip for a short service of commemoration. Following a welcome address by Krzysztof de Berg and response from Lt Gen (Ret) pilot Tadeusz Mikutel, wreaths were laid at the Memorial prior to the delegation’s return to RAF Northolt and flight back to Poland. The group of civilian pilots returned to Poland in their light aircraft on Saturday 31 May. Previous Next

Standing Giants return to Normandy Memorial Previous Next The PAFMC's tribute plaque is No 451. 1/3 Wednesday, 12 February 2025 Standing Giants return to Normandy Memorial The Standing Giants Silhouettes will be returning to the meadow fields of the British Normandy Memorial ahead ov VE Day 80, following last year’s overwhelming response to the project by the Standing with Giants charity. The installation will be available to visit from 12 April until mid-September, and the Winston Churchill Centre, including café and shop, will also reopen on 12 April. In 2024, nearly 250,000 people visited the Memorial, many of whom experienced the power and poignancy of the 1,475 servicemen placed with heads bowed on the hillside overlooking Gold Beach, each representing a life lost on D-Day, 6 June 1944. In this VE Day 80 anniversary year, the figures will serve as a symbol of the bittersweet emotions faced by so many at the end of the Second World War in Europe – joy that the war had ended alongside the reality of absent loved ones who never came home. The return of the Giants has been made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from the Normandy Memorial Trust’s three partners, BAE Systems, KPMG and Teledyne FLIR. In addition, the Gold Beach Tourism Office has partnered with the Normandy Memorial Trust to support the costs of the installation process and promotion of the project across France. The PAFMC’s tribute plaque is No 451 and can be found next to the giant nurse in the meadow. See the link to the British Normandy Memorial https://www.britishnormandymemorial.org/ Previous Next

Polish pilots’ remembrance service Dungeness Previous Next Jonathan Kellett on the right with his sister and brother at the Dungeness Memorial for 303Sqn pilots P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz and P/O Bogusław Mierzwa both shot down and killed in the same combat on 16 April 1941. Photo courtesy Michael Golding P/O Mieczyslaw Waszkiewicz was shot down and killed in combat in 303Sqn MkIIA Spitfire P8039 on 16 April 1941 and crashed into the Channel near Dungeness. His body was never recovered. He was 24 years old and only served with 303Sqn for three weeks. Commissioned in August 1939, he saw combat over Poland in 1939 and over France in 1940. In Britain he was originally posted to 307Sqn on Defiants but, like many of his colleagues, he applied for a re-posting to day fighter units. This 303sqn MkIIA Spitfire P7819 code RF-S with pilot P/O Bogusław Mierzwa was shot down and crashed on the shore at Dungeness close to where the memorial is sited. He is buried in Northwood cemetery grave H290. Jonathan Kellett on the right with his sister and brother at the Dungeness Memorial for 303Sqn pilots P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz and P/O Bogusław Mierzwa both shot down and killed in the same combat on 16 April 1941. Photo courtesy Michael Golding 1/9 Friday, 2 May 2025 Polish pilots’ remembrance service Dungeness The New Romney Branch of The British Legion held a service of remembrance on Sunday 27 April at St Peter’s Church, Greatstone, Kent for two 303 Squadron pilots P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz and P/O Bogusław Mierzwa, both shot down and killed in combat on the 16 April 1941. Following the service wreaths were placed at the pilots’ Memorial on the nearby Dungeness Estate close to where they were killed. The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) was represented by Jonathan Kellett, who together with his brother and one of his sisters, laid a wreath on its behalf. Their father W/C Ronald Kellett commanded 303Sqn at Northolt during the Battle of Britain. P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz and P/O Bogusław Mierzwa, flying from RAF Northolt, were escorting Blenheim bombers on a raid to Berck-sur-Mer in the Pas-de-Calais region of the French coast. On their return they were attacked by German fighters and both shot down and killed. P/O Mieczysław Waszkiewicz in MkIIA Spitfire P8039 with the code RF-R went into the Channel near the Dungeness coast and his body was never recovered. P/O Bogusław Mierzwa in MkIIA Spitfire P7819 with code RF-S crashed on the shore at Dungeness close to where the memorial is sited. P/O Bogusław Mierzwa is buried in Northwood cemetery grave H290. The wreckage of Spitfire P7819 was later recovered in 1982. The original memorial was created by Lance Corporal Jack Stratfield who was based at Dungeness during the war and came across the remains in 1942. Colin Clayton later resurrected it about 20 years ago and together with Michael Golding they have since maintained and cared for the memorial. It was subsequently replaced by a new memorial in 2021, generously funded by EDF Energy, which owns the Dungeness Estate, and was commemorated on the 80th Anniversary of the pilots’ death. The PAFMC recently donated a flower vase which was kindly installed at the Memorial by Michael Golding. What3Words links at Dungeness. The parking spot for easier access to the Memorial trump.widest.little https://what3words.com/trump.widest.little The site of the Memorial goals.toasted.aboard https://w3w.co/goals.toasted.aboard Previous Next

43d4f0dd-900f-4288-8ff7-6f41b149316d PAFMC undertakes major grave restoration. The cleaning of AVM Mateusz Iżycki’s headstone is part of a £3,000 commission from the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee. The cleaning of AVM Mateusz Iżycki’s headstone is part of a £3,000 commission from the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee PAF cadets from Dęblin visit Northwood Cemetery every year after the annual ceremony at the Polish Air Force Memorial at South Ruislip. The cleaning of AVM Mateusz Iżycki’s headstone is part of a £3,000 commission from the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee. 1/8 16 May 2024 PAFMC undertakes major grave restoration. The first phase of a major restoration to the headstones on the graves of two former and prominent members of the Polish Air Force (PAF) has been completed in Northwood Cemetery. Stonemason Francis Sancisi from Made on Earth recently finished cleaning the grave headstone of AVM Marshal Mateusz Iżycki. He was the General Inspector of the PAF and also the first Chairman of the Committee, which designed and built the PAF Memorial at South Ruislip. The cleaning of AVM Mateusz Iżycki’s headstone is part of a £3,000 commission from the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) for Francis Sancisi to also restore the headstone for Gp/Cpt Jerzy Bajan. He was Senior Polish Liaison Officer RAF Fighter Command and post war the President of the Polish Air Force Association in the UK. He was also a temporary Chairman of the Committee, which designed and built the PAF Memorial, after AVM Marshal Mateusz Iżycki retired. (See history of the PAF Memorial at this link https://www.polishairforcememorialcommittee.org/history ) The restoration of Gp/Cpt Jerzy Bajan’s headstone is far more complex. This will be a fine weather project requiring several visits to the cemetery to remove and replace the lead inlay inscription. It is anticipated this will be complete in time for the annual visit of the Dęblin cadets, who always visit Northwood Cemetery after the annual ceremony at the PAF Memorial at South Ruislip. Francis Sancisi previously completed the restoration, free of charge, for the PAFMC of the headstone for W/C Walerian Żak in Northwood Cemetery in 2019. He also designed and installed the memorial to 303 Sqn pilot Sgt Josef František close to where he lost his life during the Battle of Britain. This memorial was unveiled in September 2022. The PAFMC is hoping to raise the £3,000 for these important restorations through donations using the Just Giving portal. Just Giving will send donations straight to the PAFMC and automatically reclaim additional Gift Aid of 25% from UK taxpayers. Donations can be made via Just Giving online at the following link: justgiving.com/campaign/izyckibajan or by scanning the QR code. Previous Next

News 2024 The Orchard Spitfire restoration. 10 December 2024 Read More Polish Air Force Exhibition Northolt tour dates 2025 19 September 2024 Read More Plumetot D-Day ceremony 17 September 2024 Read More Battle of Britain locomotive renamed 303 SQUADRON 4 September 2024 Read More Annual Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen 2 September 2024 Read More PAF Cadets visit Northwood Graves 30 August 2024 Read More RAF Woodvale celebrations 29 August 2024 Read More Suffolk Spitfire joins Polish Heritage Flight 28 August 2024 Read More Hurricane to fly to Poland Copy 20 August 2024 Read More Hurricane to fly to Poland 20 August 2024 Read More Facebook live stream for Commemoration of Fallen Polish Airmen 18 August 2024 Read More PAFMC undertakes major grave restoration. 16 May 2024 Read More

6862c057-caaa-49a8-adb2-76be363b7929 Annual Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen The ceremony, organised by the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, was hosted by chairman Krzysztof de Berg. Wreaths were laid by dignitaries and descendants of the Polish squadrons and units commemorated on the Polish Air Force Memorial. A wreath was jointly laid by the Ambassador for the Republic of Poland Piotr Wilczek and the Defence Attaché Brigadier General Michał Sprengel. The Duxford based Suffolk Spitfire RW382, now part of the Polish Heritage Flight with a commemorative 302 Polish Squadron ‘Operation Overlord’ D-Day colour scheme, flew in and parked close to the Officers’ Mess for close inspection by the Cadets. The ceremony, organised by the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee, was hosted by chairman Krzysztof de Berg. Wreaths were laid by dignitaries and descendants of the Polish squadrons and units commemorated on the Polish Air Force Memorial. 1/9 2 September 2024 Annual Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen The annual and 63rd Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen was held on Saturday, 31 August 2024, at the Polish Air Force Memorial, South Ruislip. The ceremony, which has been organised by the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) since 2011, opened with a trumpeter sounding the Assembly for the parading of the King’s Colour of the Royal Air Force, the replica Polish Air Force Standard by Officer cadets of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin and the Standards of Polish Scouts, Guides, Schools and other bodies. PAFMC Chairman Krzysztof de Berg followed with his opening address, welcoming dignitaries, guests and the public. The speech is available in full at the link below. His address was followed by the Polish Roll-Call of the Fallen - Apel Poległych, led by Captain Wojciech Kozioł and Officer Cadets of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin. Prayers for the Fallen in Polish were then led by Rev Canon Bogdan Kołodziej, Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales and were followed by the Polish Last Post ‘Śpij Kolego’ and dipping of Standards and Banners. Dignitaries, which included the Ambassador for the Republic of Poland Piotr Wilczek and the Defence Attaché Brigadier General Michał Sprengel, were then invited by Polish scout Marysia Suchcitz to lay wreaths on the Memorial. These were followed by descendants of the Polish squadrons and units commemorated on the Memorial that flew alongside the RAF from 1940 to 1945 and PAFMC partners. The final wreath was laid by 99 year old AC1 Marian Słomka, believed to be the last surviving member of the Polish Air Force in the United Kingdom. Concluding Prayers were led by the Rev S/Ldr David Skillen, Station Chaplin, RAF Northolt, followed by the Last Post, the dipping of Standards and Banners and a minute’s silence ending with Reveille. The ceremony ended with the national anthems of Poland and the United Kingdom and marching off of the Standards followed by the playing of ‘White Roses’. Personal wreaths were laid after the ceremony ended. Music was provided by musicians of the RAF Central Band with the kind permission of the Air Force Board of the Defence Council. Invited guests then transferred to RAF Northolt for a reception and lunch in the Officers’ Mess, and were welcomed by Station Commander Gp/Capt Jon Hough. Guests were also addressed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, The Chief of the Air Staff and Col Pilot Wojciech Wróblewski, Deputy Rector Commandant of the Polish Air Force University, Deblin. A PAFMC Commendation was awarded to WO Andy Harris for his exceptional contribution to preserving the memory of the Polish Air Force and nurturing Polish Air Force/Royal Air Force relations. These Commendations are given to people and organisations with no personal connections with Poland. Following the lunch guests were entertained in the Mess by dancers from the Orlęta Polish Folklore Ensemble. The Duxford based Suffolk Spitfire RW382, which has just joined the Polish Heritage Flight (PHF), flew down from Duxford for a flypast and parked near to the Officers’ Mess where the PAFU Cadets and other guests were be able to get up close to it. This was the Spitfire’s first public appearance with the PHF in its new commemorative 302 Polish Squadron ‘Operation Overlord’ D-Day colour scheme. The PAFMC has been organising the Annual Ceremony of Homage to fallen Polish airmen since 2011 after officially succeeding the Polish Air Force Association Charitable Trust (PAFACT), which dissolved at the end of 2010. The PAFMC is the designated successor of the wartime PAF and the organisations, which represented it after the war. Next year’s Commemoration will take place on Saturday 30 August 2025 at 11.00 and NOT 6 September at 12.00, as indicated in this year's programme. Other Polish Air Force heritage sites in Hillingdon can be found at: https://archive.hillingdon.gov.uk/polishtrail Photos in the slide show are courtesy of Marek Borzęcki. Please note there have been some amendments to the Order of Ceremony since the programme was printed. The ceremony was streamed live on the PAFMC Facebook page and can be viewed at this link: https://fb.watch/ulLmSvWBob/ Speech Krzysztof de Berg Chairman Polish Air Force Memorial Committee .pdf Download PDF • 47KB Speech Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton The Chief of The Air Staff .pdf Download PDF • 62KB Speech Wojciech Wróblewski Vice Rector Commandant PAF University Dęblin .pdf Download PDF • 42KB Programme .pdf Download PDF • 2.09MB Previous Next

Annual Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen Previous Next 1/16 Tuesday, 9 September 2025 Annual Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen The annual and 64th Commemoration of Homage for Fallen Polish Airmen was held on Saturday, 30 August 2025, at the Polish Air Force Memorial, South Ruislip. The ceremony, which has been organised by the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) since 2011, opened with a trumpeter sounding the Assembly for the parading of the King’s Colour of the Royal Air Force, the replica Polish Air Force Standard by Officer cadets of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin and the Standards of Polish Scouts, Guides, Schools and other bodies. PAFMC Chairman Krzysztof de Berg followed with his opening address, welcoming dignitaries, guests and the public. The speech is available in full at the link below. His address was followed by the Polish Roll-Call of the Fallen - Apel Poległych, led by Vice Rector Commandant of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin Col Pilot Andrzej Truskowski and Officer cadets. Prayers for the Fallen in Polish were then led by Fr Artur Strzępka , Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales and were followed by the Polish Last Post ‘Śpij Kolego’ and dipping of Standards and Banners. Dignitaries were then invited by Marysia Suchcitz from Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego (Polish Scouting Association) to lay wreaths on the Memorial. These included the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hillingdon Ms Manju Malhi, the Mayors of the London Boroughs of Hillingdon, Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham, the Defence Attaché for the Republic of Poland Col Rafal Nowak and The Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hav Smyth. These were followed by descendants of the Polish squadrons and units commemorated on the Memorial that flew alongside the RAF from 1940 to 1945 and PAFMC partners. The final wreath was laid by 100-year-old AC1 Marian Słomka, believed to be the last surviving member of the Polish Air Force in the United Kingdom. Concluding Prayers were led by the Rev S/Ldr Andrew Chapman , Station Chaplin, RAF Northolt, followed by the Last Post, the dipping of Standards and Banners and a minute’s silence ending with Reveille. The ceremony ended with the national anthems of Poland and the United Kingdom and marching off of the Standards followed by the playing of ‘White Roses’. Personal wreaths were laid after the ceremony ended. Music was provided by musicians of the RAF Central Band with the kind permission of the Air Force Board of the Defence Council. Invited guests then transferred to RAF Northolt for a reception and lunch in the Officers’ Mess, and were welcomed by Station Commander Gp/Capt Lee Wales. Guests were also addressed by The Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hav Smyth and Vice Rector Commandant of the Polish Air Force University, Dęblin Col Pilot Andrzej Truskowski, . Following the lunch, guests were entertained in the Mess by the singers (Vokalinki) and dancers from the Karolinka Polish Folklore Ensemble. The PAFMC has been organising the Annual Ceremony of Homage to fallen Polish airmen since 2011 after officially succeeding the Polish Air Force Association Charitable Trust (PAFACT), which dissolved at the end of 2010. The PAFMC is the designated successor of the wartime PAF and the organisations, which represented it after the war. Next year’s Commemoration will take place on Saturday 29 August at 11.00. Other Polish Air Force heritage sites in Hillingdon can be found at: https://archive.hillingdon.gov.uk/polishtrail Photos in the slide show are courtesy of Marek Borzęcki. There were amendments to the Order of Ceremony since the programme was printed. The ceremony was streamed live and can be viewed on the PAFMC YouTube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPzIVPDbTvk&t=4s Speech Krzysztof de Berg Chairman Polish Air Force Memorial Committee .pdf Download PDF • 37KB Speech_Col. Truskowski .pdf Download PDF • 19KB Programme .pdf Download PDF • 2.45MB Previous Next

50008255-3993-42f2-b260-6654bdaa2bb2 RAF Woodvale celebrations 317Sqn at RAF Woodvale 1942. 317Sqn at RAF Woodvale 1942. 1/1 29 August 2024 RAF Woodvale celebrations Second World War celebrations, honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Polish pilots, the Polish Armed Forces and Allied Armed Forces personnel, will be held from 10.00 on 7 September at RAF Woodvale, Formby Bypass, Liverpool L37 7AD. The day of celebrations will include talks, displays and food to remember and honour those who once served. If you have connections to anybody once part of the Polish Forces or anybody who served at RAF Woodvale during the Second World War and would like to join us in these celebrations, please get in touch with Joanne Chamberlain via mail at Joanne.Chamberlain@sefton.gov.uk Previous Next

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