Poland in the UK

The outbreak of war in 1939, followed by the German and Soviet occupation, forced large numbers of Poles to leave the country and live in exile. Many of our compatriots found refuge in the United Kingdom, where they created the foundations for the functioning of the Polish statehood in exile. Their activities made it possible to preserve the Polish parliamentary tradition and the legitimacy of power at a time when Polish lands were under Nazi and Soviet occupation. They also maintained Polish traditions and culture in the emigration environment. Many of them died in exile and were buried in a foreign land, far from Poland. In the UK, and in particular in London, there are cemeteries with large concentrations of Polish graves. Some remain forgotten, their guardians have died or live scattered around the world.

"The authorities of the Republic of Poland see the need to undertake actions consisting of carrying out renovation works and ensuring constant care of Polish graves in the United Kingdom, where the emigration community was exceptionally numerous," says Wojciech Labuda, Plenipotentiary of the Prime Minister for the Protection of Memorial Sites. "The implementation of the project of care for the graves of Poles who devoted their lives to the service of the Polish State and its rebirth is a visible sign for all residents of the United Kingdom and for Poles living there that the Polish State does not forget about its citizens," adds the Plenipotentiary.

This year's project involving the renovation of over 80 Polish graves is a continuation of last year's activities. In 2022, the "Aid to Poles in the East" Foundation named after Jan Olszewski carried out works that allowed to locate 118 Polish tombstones, carry out an inventory determining their state of preservation and develop a programme of conservation works. This year's renovation works of the tombstones, depending on the state of preservation, will include activities such as: leveling and stabilising the slabs, cleaning their surface of dirt and vegetation, cleaning and renewing the inscriptions, repairing the joints and mechanical damage, and possibly replacing the elements of the tombstones.

One of the first activities carried out as part of the project was placing new tombstones on the symbolic graves of the Presidents of the Republic of Poland in Exile: Władysław Raczkiewicz, August Zaleski and Stanisław Ostrowski. The tombstone of General Władysław Sikorski was also renovated. These graves are located at the Polish Airmen Cemetery in Newark, England.

Conservation care is also planned for the Polish graves of the January and November Uprising insurgents and other fighters for Poland's freedom located at the Highgate Cemetery in London, on the so-called "White Eagle Hill". This place, due to its symbolism – an eagle coming out from under the grave slab, had a significant meaning referring to the fight for regaining independence and the rebirth of the Polish state after 123 years of partitions. Currently, the tombstones are in a very bad condition and require urgent conservation work.

The project also serves as a reminder of the figures of Polish emigration life, the times in which they had to act and the challenges they tried to overcome. Information activities will also be carried out as part of the project. Informational material on the governments and presidents of the Republic of Poland in Exile, the most important figures and historical facts from this period of our history can be found on the website www.misjawolnapolska.pl.

All works related to the renovation of tombstones will be carried out with the consent and in cooperation with the families of the deceased. Currently, the search for some of the families of those who died in emigration is still underway. The list of the families of people whose gravestones we plan to renovate is listed below.

List of graves whose families are being sought

Contact for families: Adam Pszczółkowski, phone: +48 510 040 086, e-mail: apszczol@wp.pl

Tomasz Roguski, phone: +48 514 777 489, e-mail: t.roguski@pol.org.pl

The project is implemented by the "Aid to Poles in the East" Foundation named after Jan Olszewski and commissioned by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland. The project is financed by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland as part of the public task of helping the Polish diaspora and Poles abroad 2023.

"Aid to Poles in the East" Foundation