- 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.
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- These
troops were part of the Polish Army which had recently
been
- evacuated
from France.
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- 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.
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- The
Regiment honoured the town by making it the "Mother
Garrison"
town
of the Regiment.
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- Later,
in September 1942 the citizens of Coatbridge presented
a standard to the 1st
Light Artillery Regiment.(Fd
Art Rgt)
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- "Coatbridge"
and its Coat of Arms was embroidered on the regiment's
standard.
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- Source:Dziennik
Zolnierza 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.
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 - ryngraf
photo courtesy of Mrs M Tedford,
Coatbridge
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- 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 ourmemory to remain with
you."
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