BBC Stoke & Staffordshire - The Leek Polish Project

This page was last updated in May 2003We've left it here for reference.More information

3 December 2009
Accessibility help
Text only

	BBC Homepage England

»	Stoke & Staffordshire News Sport Weather Travel News Entertainment Features In Pictures Faith Discover Staffs Your Stories Saving Planet Earth How We Built Britain Radio Stoke Site Contents
	Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend!

You are in: Stoke & Staffordshire Polish Community »

2003
Henryck Swiercz's story

Henryck and Themla Swiercz married, despite disapproval from many Leek people.

Slub henrycka i Thelmy Swierca, pomino dezaprobaty wielu ludzi z Leek.

Henryck Swiercz was born in Poland, and as young man decided he had to fight to free his country of the Nazis.

It's a long story - but now he's living in North Staffordshire.

Here is his story...

Back to Main Polish Pages

:: eMail this page »

eMail this page to a friend

Have your say

Do you have memories of Polish communities across Staffordshire & South Cheshire?

:: Print this page »

View a printable version of this page.

:: Lost?

Can't find something on this website? Find it ... Click here

:: Pass it on!»

E-mail this page to a friend
click here

Henryck Swiercz

As a young man, Henryck and a friend decided to flee to France and join the Polish Free Army.

In 1940, I wanted to fight for a free Poland.

In fact I wanted to fight for the Polish Free Army.

I wanted to be able to go to bed at night and wake up in the morning in the same bed.

Henryck Swiercz

To hear the full interview with Henryck
Click here

You need Real Player to hear audio clips. Real Player is a free programme that allows you to listen to audio and see viseo on the Internet
Click for our easy Real Player download guide

But they were caught by the Russians and sent to a Siberian Labour camp where they spent 22 months.

Eventually, the Russians became our allies, and Henryck was released. He then travelled through Europe and eventually ended up in Leek.

henryck's medals, he was awarded the Polish Cross for bravery.

Medale henrycka i Polski Krzyz, ktory przydzielono mu za odwage.

henryck's uniform.

Mondur henrycka.

e-mail this page to a friend

Top | Polish Community Index | Home

Leek's Little Warsaw
The towns of Staffordshire and South Cheshire are home to a surprising number of Polish communities...

Henryck's story
As a young man, Henryck and a friend decided to flee to France and join the Polish Free Army.

Christina's story
Christina was born in England - at the Blackshaw Moor Re-settlement camp for the Polish near Leek.

Community Audio Archive
We're building up an audio archive of interviews with members of the Polish community...

Send your stories and pictures to us at:

BBC Stoke and Staffordshire
Cheapside
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST1 1JJ

tel: (+44) 01782 221281

e-mail: stoke@bbc.co.uk

About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy