I’m doing fine
I’m 87 years old and I was born in Stanisławów in 1918. I had two older brothers and a sister. My father was employed at large railway works and at the same time, he ran a railways workers’ bank. He worked long hours so he was able to give us a proper education. Our mother was a housewife.
In 1938, I graduated from the Marshal Józef Piłsudski College, in Stanisławów. While still in college, I completed the Air Force Preparatory Course in Ustrzyki Dolne near Ustianowa. I planned to join a military college and in order to comply with their entry requirements I joined a youth work camp in Kochłowice, near Katowice.
The war broke out while I was in the camp. We received orders to march to Równe, a town near the border with Russia. We didn’t anticipate that Russia would invade Poland, too. We didn’t even reach our destination when we learned that Russian army had crossed the border and entered the Polish territory. I resolved to turn back and I returned home on September 27th 1939, via Brody and Lwów. My mum was deeply worried, particularly because my elder brother, who was an army officer, didn’t return. She suffered from a nervous breakdown.
Once back with my family, I had to get a job. I worked at a furniture and toy factory for a while. I even gained entry into a veterinary college in Lwów but I had to quit after several months and I returned home to look after my sick mother.
Later, I was captured by Russians and deported to Odmurskaja Oblast, near Iżeck, in Russia. I worked as a cement maker in summer and as a logger in winter. After my daytime job, I had to do some extra work in the office because I could write in Ukrainian. One Tatar man, who also worked there, advised me to claim that I was a tailor. He even gave me a few needles - a priceless possession in those days. I learned how to sew army gloves. I also worked as a property guard. After some time, the authorities found out that I did some veterinary study and assigned me to the dressing station.
When I learned that a Polish army was being formed in Russia, I wanted desperately to sign up but wasn’t permitted to leave my post. Only after I obtained a written release order from a lieutenant I met accidentally and who was of Polish background, I was free to go.
I reported at a recruitment office in the town of Saratov and in March 1942, I left for England with a group of pilots and naval officers. We disembarked in the Scottish town of Greenock, near Glasgow. Polish army recruitment officers encouraged us to join their respective units. I signed up for the First Polish Paratroopers Brigade and completed Paratroopers’ Cadets’ College.
On September 17th 1944, I took part in the famous landing operation in Arnhem. The operation claimed countless casualties but I was very fortunate to get out of it unscathed.
Upon my return to Scotland, I commenced pharmaceutical studies at the University of Dundee. I was forced to quit though, due to a serious injury I sustained in a train accident. When I recovered from the injury, I started a new course, this time in textiles and I started a career in textile industry. By then I was already married and had a little son.
In 1950, my wife and I decided to migrate. As a former army officer I had an option to choose where I wanted to migrate. We considered Canada and Australia. I could have stayed in England, as I was married to an Englishwoman, but I decided against it. I felt certain disdain towards Britain because of the way the British treated Polish soldiers in the war – like we were no more than “cannon meat”. Consideration for my family prevented me from returning to Poland. I felt responsible for my wife and son and wouldn’t subject them to the harsh reality of living in Poland that I experienced in my youth. My wife’s aunt was in Melbourne and that decided in favour of Australia. We counted on her to help us in the process of adapting to a new country.
I had certain privileges as a Polish Army officer while on the ship to Australia. I was assigned accommodation appropriate to my rank on the ship P&O Strathnaver free of charge. The sea journey took 3 months but we got through it very comfortably. I wasn’t obliged to serve out a two-year work contract like many other Polish migrants and didn’t meet with the numerous other obstacles they encountered while settling in Australia.
My family (wife and five-year-old son) and I arrived in Australia on September 17th 1951. Upon landing on Australian soil, difficulties arose. We were disappointed in our hopes to obtain help from my wife’s aunt. We ended up at a Salvation Army facility in Melbourne City, where we were given temporary accommodation. The living conditions were far inferior to what we had in England. My wife was shattered; at some stage she even wanted to jump out of the window. I was close to tears myself.
By lucky chance my wife and son managed to find accommodation with a family in return for domestic help. I quickly found a job as a real estate agent and moved to a boarding house in St Kilda. I kept looking for alternative employment options. After 2 months I found a shop in Newport and bought it for a good price. At the same time, I rented a flat situated above the shop. We could finally live together again. My wife worked at the shop and I obtained a lab technician job at a power station. Every free moment I had I helped with running the shop.
Two years went by. I bought a house in Box Hill, part of which we rented out. We moved into the other part and sold the shop. I commenced work at a textile factory where I stayed for over ten years. My wife worked as a cashier at a racecourse. Unfortunately, our marriage didn’t work out and we separated in 1976, although we remained friends. I moved to Braybrook, where I had a bungalow; later I bought a house in Sunshine. I worked in the textile industry until 1981, when I had to retire due to a spinal injury sustained in an accident. Twenty years later I moved to Geelong where I’ve lived till the present day.
I’m satisfied with the way my life has unwound. My attitude towards Australia has certainly changed over the years. Initially, I was in awe of the Australian ‘simplicity of life’, kindness and trust in interpersonal relationships, friendliness and honesty. I found these qualities deeply touching. I think that life was easier and more pleasant in those good old days. One could leave one’s belongings in front of the house without fear of them being stolen. My countrymen were different then, too; they didn’t consider themselves superior. Maybe we were once called ‘the new Australians’ and criticized for our lack of proficiency in English language; maybe there is a cultural gap between us but I think it’s time Poles changed their perception of Australians. We should cease living in the closed cultural circle of the Polish ‘ghetto’ and integrate ourselves more with the Australian society.
I have been involved in community work for 20 years. In 1975, I was deeply engaged in the activities of the Polish-Australian Cultural Society. The aim of this organization was to maintain Polish culture by importing Polish books and movies and organizing dance parties and outings. We also collected aid funds for our countrymen back in Poland and for restoration of the Royal Palace in Warsaw.
I was also actively involved with the Sunshine Multicultural Society. I used to provide transport to our club to Greek, Italian and Maltese migrants. With Father Kacperski’s help, I formed a Polish school group affiliated to the Society. I managed the school for three years. In 1990, I received a diploma of appreciation for my ‘tireless efforts for the benefit and development of the Polish school and promotion of Polish culture, as well as for my exemplary role as a children’s friend and a true Pole’. At the same time I was vice-chairman of the Polish Association in Ardeer. I founded the Polish Club in Sunshine, in response to the need for organizing some worthwhile activities for Poles to fill in their free time.
I quit my various community commitments only six years ago but I try to remain active. I attend Senior Citizens’ Club three times a week, including a one-hour choir practice. The choir gives public performances every month. I lead normal life: I go to church every Sunday, walk, play games with my friends and take holidays 2-3 times a year. I’m doing fine.
