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POLONICA in Scotland |
Colours Coatbridge |
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Colours presented to the Polish 1st Field Artillery
Regiment (1 pal) |
from Coatbridge |
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1 On a Sunday
morning in the last week of June 1940, the citizens of Coatbridge awoke to find large numbers
of Polish Army soldiers billeted in the town. These troops were
part of the Polish Army which had recently been evacuated from France. Whilst the Polish
troops were stationed in Coatbridge only for a short time their presence in
the town is fondly remembered. |
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2 For the Polish
troops who were stationed here they never forgot the hospitality they
received from its citizens. The Regiment honoured
the town by making it the "Mother Garrison" town
of the Regiment. Later, in
September 1942 the citizens of Coatbridge presented a standard to the 1st Light Artillery
Regiment. (Fd Art Rgt) "Coatbridge" and its Coat of Arms was
embroidered on the regiment's standard. Source: Dziennik Żołnierza
9th Sept 1942) |
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3 The regiment in gratitude presented to Coatbridge a
'ryngraf' of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland. |
Ryngraf photo courtesy of Mrs M Tedford, Coatbridge |
4 The Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser of 12th September 1942, quoted
the regimental commander- The ryngraf -
"is a copy of this picture that a Polish
mother would give to her son, a Polish wife would give her husband as he goes
forth to battle, for it expresses Polish faith and
belief. It keeps the memory of loved ones with loved ones, as we would wish our
memory to remain with you." |
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Last modified 12
March 2009 © Copyright R M
Ostrycharz 1998 |
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PolonicaCoatbridge.html |
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