A good Kiwi life
My earliest memories were of a full and comfortable life in Poland with my mother, father, brother and sister. We lived in a good house on a farm with plenty of open space around us. Who would have known that in only a few short years I would be standing on the decks of the USS General Randall in Wellington, New Zealand, holding my brother Bronisław's hand and looking at our new home. A home without parents, family or our Polish language and customs.
This strange country had offered us a place to live but would it turn out to be a home? We were the lucky ones. After four years at the Polish Children's Camp in Pahiatua, we became reunited with our father, now a widower, who had come looking for us at the end of World War II. He was very grateful to the New Zealand Government for the opportunity to work here and raise his family. He was given a job as a blacksmith at the Ruakura Research Farm in Hamilton.
Once settled at work and with good accommodation secured, my father was able to take us out of the camp. But it wasn't just the three of us. He married Helena Nawalaniec who had been with us in the camp and who had five children. Most of them were now independent so she only moved in with her son Jan. Our family continued to grow as another stepbrother, Adolf, came to join us from England. Then my sister Jadwiga, who had been separated from us in Iran and sent to Africa, was also reunited with us. Finally, the last addition to our family was the birth of a sister Danuta.
I attended Marist School in Hamilton, which I found difficult. We only spoke Polish at home and I soon found the biggest barrier to learning was my poor grasp of English. But I enjoyed maths, possibly because numbers are fairly universal and were something that I recognised.
After a couple of years, with the help of our father's friend, I was offered a job in a bakery and left school. The early hours were okay and the tasks manageable, but I learnt quickly that I didn't like working indoors and my health was deteriorating in the bakery environment. So, after two years, I got a job roofing and then worked on building sites with a gang of Polish carpenters. I had found my passion.
I loved building houses and was comfortable in the company of so many other Polish speakers. I continued with my carpentry job during the week and page 192began to build on the weekends for myself. The first of these weekend projects that I finished was a house for my parents. I continued with this extra work and built another three houses.
In 1959 I went to the Hawke's Bay and ended up working with Marian Kępka, an old friend from the camp, and married his sister-in-law Robin Hallgarth in 1961. I worked for Kepka Builders for 3 years and during that time we built a range of houses, from small units to large architecturally designed homesteads.
Robin and I had always intended to visit Poland. However, with family commitments and financial restraints we didn't make that trip until I was 59. I had no idea how I would feel and was quite anxious. I had a great life in New Zealand, taken so many of the opportunities we had been given and all of my family were now New Zealanders.
But when I arrived in Poland, I knew for the first time that I belonged to two countries. The sounds, visions, food and culture overwhelmed me. I was home. We have been back there twice since my retirement, but I strongly believe that New Zealand is where I will happily live for the rest of my life. I am so grateful that a decision was made to let so many young refugees and their families come into this wonderful country. I have had a very good life.
A family reunion.
Back: (l-r) Tadeusz Woś, Bronisław Woś, Jan Woś (Nawalaniec), Adolf Nawalaniec
Front: (l-r) Danuta Woś, Jadwiga Leszewicz
Waiting to board the Sontay in Khorramshahr, Iran, October 1944
The Sontay was a cargo ship which took the Polish refugees on a most uncomfortable journey from Iran to Bombay (now Mumbai), India, in September 1944 on their way to New Zealand
The USS General Randall normally carried troops between Bombay and San Diego. In October 1944, while carrying New Zealand and Australian soldiers home from the Middle East, it was able to provide transport for 733 children and 102 adult guardians to Wellington, New Zealand. It was finally decommissioned in 1961
The New Zealand soldiers returning home from the war on the USS General Randall helped to look after the children on the two-week voyage from Mumbai, India
With their wordly possessions on their backs, the children disembark at Pahiatua Railway Station on 1 November 1944. One of the oldest Polish staff members Bolesław Jankiewicz (middle with hat) helps them along
The youngest children on their way to the dining room with Stanisława Lewandowska, who was dedicated to looking after them on their journey to New Zealand and at the camp. She was affectionately called the "white mother" because she always wore a white coat and was like a mother to the youngest children
The new arrivals line up for their first meal at the camp.
2nd from left: Rudolf Szymczycha, Ryszard Nowacki, Józef Wnęk
The youngest new arrivals in the dining room on their first day in the camp.
A soldier (front) helps Bronisław Węgrzyn
The end of a very long journey. Bedtime for new arrival Henryk Dziura in the camp's dormitory. All the youngest children were treated with the same care on that first day
An aerial view of the Polish Children's Camp in Pahiatua, New Zealand, 1945. The camp was located on the site of the old Pahiatua Racecourse
- A: Main entrance
- B: Garage
- C: Teaching staff quarters
- D: School buildings
- E: Girls' dormitories
- F: Camp hospital
- G: Recreation hall/chapel
- H: Kitchen/dining hall
- I: Boys' dormitories
- J: Soldiers' quarters
- K: Henhouse
- L: Grotto
- M: Rest area/monument (built in 1975)
- N: Old racetrack
- O: Old grandstand
- P: Vegetable garden
June 1999. Stefania (left) and Józef Zawada (right) stand outside the Polish Children's Camp's old gymnasium building, which is now in Naenae College, Lower Hutt. The college was built in the 1950s when the camp's buildings were being sold or relocated
May 1997. Inside the kitchen at Kopua Monastery, Hawke's Bay, which was once one of the buildings at the camp.
(l-r) Stefania Zawada, Józef Zawada, a Kopua Monastery monk, Mieczysław Zawada
Cztery Janiny obchodzą imieniny (four Janinas celebrate their name day), 24 June 1946. (l-r) Stefania Nawalaniec, Maria Zazulak, Janina Świerczyńska (seated), Rozalia Manterys, Janina Szałkowska, Janina Krystman, Bronisława Lis, Petronela Ostrowska, Stanisława Świerczyńska, Jadwiga Świerczyńska, Maria Wojciechowska, Janina Kornobis (seated), Krystyna Manterys
Back: (l-r) Janina Łabędź, Jadwiga Wasiukiewicz, Stanisława Markowska, Antonina Wołyncewicz, Leokadia Jackowska, Genowefa Adamczyk, Barbara Szczepańska, Halina Wenckiewicz
Middle: (l-r) Emilia Sordel, Irena Frydrych, Anna Jabłońska, Barbara Sprusińska, Alicja Wiśniewska, Alicja Głowacka, Jolanta Wenckiewicz
Front: (l-r) Bronisława Jasionowicz, Danuta Szysz, Alfreda Kornobis, Olga Sajewicz, Ewa Wierzbicka
A group of staff and older girls, some of whom were already employed in the camp (kitchen, laundry, sewing, nursing).
Back: (l-r) Olga Sumicz, Stanisława Drozdowska, Janina Krystman, Bronisława Lis, Józefa Wypych, Janina Szałkowska, Maria Mokrzycka, Helena Szymulska
Front: (l-r) Aniela Adach, Maria Zazulak, Maria Ambroziewicz, Helena Wenckiewicz, Maria Zielińska, Rozalia Manterys, Stefania Rombel, Zofia Kołodzińska
The sewing room made the camp more self sufficient and gave practical experience to the older girls, some of whom would rather have been given the opportunity to study. It operated from November 1944 to January 1946. (l-r) Stefania Nawalaniec, Maria Mokrzycka,
Helena Kasprzyk, Krystyna Bojda, Krystyna Manterys, Zofia Kornobis, Regina Kupis, Józefa Wypych, Wiktoria Wypych, Helena Kraczko (front)
Top: Helena Świerdłowicz
Middle: (l-r) Jadwiga Walasiewicz, Maria Woźniak
Bottom: (l-r) Magdalena Kowalczyk, Wanda Pieszczoch, Irena Iwan
Back: (l-r) Władysława Węgrzyn, Stefania Pieczonka, Olga Sumicz, Krystyna Siadek, Wanda Plusa, Aniela Gabrysz, Irena Wasiukiewicz, Zofia Dembkowska, Irena Banach, Helena Pilarska
Middle: (l-r) Bronisława Dziama, Emilia Sondej, Irena Niedumów, Regina Nowacka, Eugenia Sajewicz, Stefania Pracz, Leokadia Głogowska, Stefania Wrotniak, Kazimiera Pruszyńska, Janina Dźwiniel
Front: (l-r) Teresa Sztychmiller, Danuta Jankiewicz, Zofia Pleciak, Maria Jania, Weronika Potem, Zofia Łuszczewska, Irena Chaber
Standing: (l-r) Genowefa Łukomska, Irena Szadkowska, Hugh McKinnon, Jadwiga Korszuń, Teresa Wypych, Paulina Dybka, (hidden), Władysława Kubiak, Maria Wysokińska, Wanda Wierzbińska, (hidden), Maria Buberda, Danuta Dębska, Paulina Jania, Maria Depczyńska, Teresa Szczepańksa, Czesława Wierzbińska
Kneeling: (l-r) Maria Juchnowicz, Augustyna Aniecka, Jadwiga Gil, Wanda Dejnakowska, Franciszka Węgrzyn, Maria Dac, Felicja Nadolska
Sitting: (l-r) Emilia Banaś, Aleksandra Kraczko, Izabela Wiśniewska, Czesława Gazdowicz, Zdzisława Kolodziej, Genowefa Pękalska
Standing: (l-r) Maria Korczak-Bucewicz, Irena Iwan, Czesława Mokrzycka, Genowefa Knap, Olga Piesocka, Helena Świerdłowicz, Janina Śmietana, Eleonora Pruszyńska, Magdalena Kowalczyk, Renata Kazimierzak, Krystyna Gołębiowska, Jadwiga Walasiewicz, Irena Staniszewska, Mary Eising
Kneeling: (l-r) Irena Tabisz, Irena Źołnowska, Zyta Bąk, Danuta Ziolo
Sitting: (l-r) Anna Przychodźko, Teresa Ogonowska, Maria Woźniak, Eugenia Pracz, Stefania Serdyńska, Władysława Pilarska, Genowefa Apanowicz, Helena Przychodźko
Standing: (l-r) Aniela Adach, Stefania Nawalaniec, Jadwiga Świerczyńska, Weronika Woźniak, Janina Szałkowska, Katarzyna Piesocka, Stanisława Świerczyńska, Stanisława Drozdowska, Bronisława Lis, Helena Kasprzyk, Waleria Merwid
Kneeling: (l-r) Janina Marchewa, Maria Mokrzycka, Maria Kozyniak, Józefa Wrotniak, Jadwiga Haptaś, Genowefa Dźwiniel, Jadwiga Szczapa, Krystyna Manterys, Maria Tinald, Janina Dąbrowska Sitting: Antonina Wołyncewicz
Standard 4A, 1947.
Back: (l-r) Jadwiga Bryl, Jadwiga Pawelec, Danuta Śmietana, Anna Butrymowicz, Maria Piotrkowska, Barbara Szymanik, Halina Sawlewicz
Standing: (l-r) Anna Stocka, Zuzanna Puczko, Maria Petryna, Zofia Kaczorowska, Genowefa Adamczyk, (hidden), Leokadia Kołodzińska, Olga Guc, Irena Iwanek, Jadwiga Kulik, Stefania Benasiewicz
Kneeling: (l-r) Helena Rombel, Danuta Łubgań, Łucja Plachecka, Olga Janiuk, Maria Kruk, Wanda Pietrasińska (seated), Krystyna Wojtowicz, Maria Skiba
Sitting: (l-r) Genowefa Belza, Alina Ziolo, Halina Rypniewska, Janina Łabędź, Janina Brejnakowska, Zofia Żak, Aleksandra Wawryka, Stanisława Blażkow, Danuta Zagrobelna
Standard 4, 1948.
Back: (l-r) Helena Characzko, Wanda Kozłowska, Olga Janiuk, Teresa Jabłońska, Maria Petryna (partly visible), Leokadia Jackowska (partly visible), Jadwiga Wasiukiewicz
2nd back: (l-r) Danuta Szysz, Barbara Sprusińska, Halina Wenckiewicz, Jolanta Wenckiewicz, Emilia Sordel, Alicja Wiśniewska
Kneeling: (l-r) Anna Jabłońska, Alicja Głowacka, Barbara Szczepańska, Jadwiga Bryl, Stanisława Markowska, Wanda Szczawińska
Front: Bronisława Jasionowicz, Olga Sajewicz, Alfreda Kornobis, Irena Frydrych
Standard 6B, 1947.
Standing: Helena Łabędź, Maria Kośnik, Józefa Aniecka, Stefania Dybka, Czesława Szadkowska, Józefa Gęborzewska, Maria Antoniak, Jadwiga Tietze, Janina Wasiukiewicz, Helena Ościłowska, Romualda Karpik
Kneeling: Krystyna Zagrobelna, Irena Wierzbicka, Regina Łabędź, Jadwiga Wuda
First Holy Communion, 1947.
Back: (l-r) Leokadia Jackowska, Irena Frydrych, Danuta Szysz, Barbara Sprusińska, Ewa Wierzbicka, Stefania Kamińska, Stanisława Markowska, Wanda Szczawińska, Aleksandra Wawryka, Barbara Szczepańska, Alicja Głowacka, Irena Okolów
Front: (l-r) Antonina Wołyncewicz, Halina Sawlewicz, Alicja Wiśniewska, Helena Characzko, Father Michał Wilniewczyc, Emilia Sordel, Zofia Markowska, Urszula Bednarska, Halina Wenckiewicz, Bronisława Jasionowicz
Kneeling: (l-r) Olga Sajewicz, Alfreda Kornobis
Standard 6A, 1947.
Back: (l-r) Wiktoria Dajnowska, Janina Ratuszna, Weronika Połeć, Maria Najbert, Helena Fladrzyńska, Bronisława Świerzyńska, Rozalia Kaczoń, Karolina Migulka, Teresa Piotrowska, Krystyna Niedźwiecka, Stanisława Masalska, Jadwiga Adamczyk.
Kneeling: (l-r) Zuzanna Woszczak, Walentyna Giejchroch, Wanda Martul, Stefania Sondej, Bernarda Jasionowicz, Maria Nowotarska, Danuta Czerny-Hołownia.
Sitting: (l-r) Irena Szczepańska, Janina Kozera, Teresa Sypula
Back: (l-r) Janina Marchewa, Aniela Adach, Krystyna Manterys, Helena Kasprzyk, Regina Błażewicz, Ewa Szczepańska, Jadwiga Haptaś, Józefa Wrotniak, Regina Karpik
Middle: (l-r) Bronsiława Lis, Stanisława Drozdowska, Maria Szczapa, Regina Zielińska, Dioniza Gradzik, Maria Rombel, Maria Naplocha, Helena Nawalaniec, Bożena Terlecka
Front: (l-r) Adela Jasionowicz, Anna Kowalska, Aniela Markowska, Genowefa Dźwiniel, Janina Szczapa, Franciszka Nowak
Standing: (l-r) Stefania Wrotniak, Walentyna Zyza, Janina Dębska, Irena Chaber, Scout leader Stefania Kozera, Zofia Pacanowska, Rozalia Kaczoń, Stanisława Lasak
Sitting: (l-r) Maria Najbert, Janina Szostak, Eugenia Sajewicz, Emilia Sondej, Regina Nowacka, Antonina Siechniewicz, Danuta Jankiewicz, Weronika Potem, Wanda Plusa, Stefania Pieczonka, Janina Kozera, Irena Niedumów
Taking a summer's dip in the Mangatainoka River.
(l-r) Krystyna Zagrobelna, Romualda Karpik, Maria Antoniak, Teresa Szczapa, Maria Kośnik, Helena Milczarska, Józefa Aniecka, Weronika Połeć
(l-r) Walentyna Zyza, Helena Ościłowska, Helena Łabędź, Krystyna Zagrobelna, Stefania Dybka, Alicja Szczapa, Zofia Dembkowska, Teresa Walasiewicz, Genowefa Gęborzewska, Regina Łabędź, Romualda Karpik, Elżbieta Bednarska, Jadwiga Walasiewicz. In the water, front of log (l-r) Czesława Szadkowska, Irena Iwan, Teresa Szczapa, Maria Antoniak, Irena Wierzbicka, Janina Wasiukiewicz, Jadwiga Wuda
Polish girls in Sacred Heart Girls' College, New Plymouth, 1946.
Back: (l-r) Emilia Chumko, Stanisława Domańska
Front: (l-r) Regina Zielińska, Helena Kornobis, Adela Jasionowicz, Helena Pietkiewicz, Aniela Markowska
Back: (l-r) Jadwiga Jankiewicz, Maria Góral, Stefania Mokrzycka
Middle: Alicja Tarnowska>Front: (l-r) Anna Depa, Aniela Dac
Pupils and teachers in the camp's high school. Back: (l-r) Regina Zielińska, Irena Ćwirko-Godycka, Zofia Surynt, Waleria Markowska, Leokadia Głogowska, Teresa Brejnakowska, Wieslawa Kruszyńska, Jadwiga Jarka, Wiktoria Tabisz, Helena Pietkiewicz, Bożena Terlecka, Janina Niedźwiecka, Franciszka Nowak Front: (l-r) Helena Sochola, Eugeniusz Szadkowski, Jadwiga Różycka, Frank Muller, Jadwiga Żerebecka, Ruth Neligan, Aleksandra Krzyżanowska
A basketball team with coach Mary Sergent.
Back: (l-r) Jadwiga Adamczyk, Irena Żołnowska, Mary Sergent, Elżbieta Bednarska, Danuta Markowska, Maria Nowotarska, Bernarda Jasionowicz
Front: (l-r) Janina Wasiukiewicz, Wanda Pieszczoch, Jadwiga Walasiewicz, Maria Buberda
Junior basketball team, 1946.
(l-r) Janina Łabędź, Janina Brejnakowska, Alina Zioło, Jadwiga Pawelec, Krystyna Wojtowicz, Anna Stocka, Zuzanna Puczko, Genowefa Adamczyk, Genowefa Belza, Maria Kruk
Standing: (l-r)
Eugenia Piotuch, Janina Dąbrowska, Jadwiga Jankiewicz, Mieczysława Gmyterko, Zyta Krall, Jadwiga Szczapa
Sitting: (l-r) Waleria Banasiak, Anastazja (Zofia) Adamczyk
A basketball team, 1948.
(l-r) Stefania Serdyńska, Irena Tabisz, Władysława Pilarska, Jadwiga Walasiewicz, Magdalena Kowalczyk, Janina Śmietana, Helena Świerdłowicz, Wanda Pieszczoch, Irena Żołnowska
Scouts and Girl Guides await the arrival of Lady Baden-Powell, wife of the founder of Boy Scouts. John Thomson (centre)
Girl Guides enjoy a picnic in the woods. Walentyna Zyza (left front), Janina Wasiukiewicz (2nd from left front), Irena Wierzbicka (bottom middle), Jadwiga Adamczyk (standing back of right-hand group), Irena Szczepańska (front right, facing camera)
Girl Guides on parade. Mrs Stefania Kozera (Scout leader, middle), Janina Kozera (in Polish costume)
Lady Baden-Powell inspects the Girl Guides. Far right: Captain Forsyth and to his left Franciszek Bała
Girl Guides in the woods. (l-r) Maria Zielińska, Genowefa Apanowicz, Stefania Serdyńska
The standard of the Polish Scouts of New Zealand, donated by Scout leader Stefania Kozera (with long skirt). The flag says: "Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego, Hufiec Nowo Zelandzki w Pahiatua" (Association of Polish Scouts, New Zealand Troop, Pahiatua)
Standing: (l-r) Maria Dajnowska, Teodozja Woźniak, Janina Niedźwiecka, Stefania Jasionowicz, a New Zealand soldier, a cook, Stefania Zysk, Janina Świerczyźska Kneeling: Wanda Pelc
Polish girls at Teschemakers College, Oamaru, 1947.
(l-r) Teresa Wiszowata, Helena Więcek, Janina Niedźwiecka, Bożena Terlecka, Lidia Koncewicz, Irena Krystman
A group of senior students depart the camp for New Zealand schools in 1946. (l-r) Krystyna Skwarko (senior), Krystyna Skwarko, Elżbieta Kruszyńska, Helena Lubas, Zofia Surynt, Wanda Pelc, Leokadia Krejcisz, Eugeniusz Szadkowski, Witold Domański, Zdzisław Kaczorowski, Bolesław Żygadło, Stanisław Wójcik, Józef Kubiak, Józef Głowacz, Władysław Pietkiewicz
Trepidation and expectation. One of the first groups of girls to leave the camp, 6 February 1946.
(l-r) Wiktoria Wypych, Rozalia Manterys, Maria Węgrzyn, Zofia Kornobis, Janina Krystman (kneeling), Maria Zazulak, Maria Wojciechowska
The National Film Unit films the krakowiak – a regional dance from southern Poland. Stefania Kozera (second left) is directing
The play Krakowskie Wesele (Kraków Wedding) staged in the camp to a large audience of the Pahiatua public. The dresses were made in the camp's sewing room. Camp Commandant Major Finny said the play was intended to express the Poles' appreciation for the many kindnesses shown to them by the locals
At one of the first weddings in the camp – the groom (a returned serviceman) with attendants. (l-r) Wiktoria Dajnowska, Maria Woźniak, Zofia Portas, Walerian Świerczyński, Halina Woźniak, Janina Dajnowska, Czesława Bełczącka
Dressed up for a concert.
(l-r) Regina Nowacka, Irena Wasiukiewicz, Helena Pilarska, Zofia Pacanowska, Polikarp Kilczewski
Having fun with a scooter at the camp.
(l-r) Maria Pytlos, Marek Powierza and Tadeusz Tietze
The first funeral at the Polish Children's Camp for Tadeusz Ostrowski who died on 22 March 1945 and was buried in Pahiatua
Back: (l-r) Franciszek Wypych, Józef Chwieduk, Józef Aulich, Bronisław Rożniatowski, Czesław Pelc, Witold Suchodolski, Jerzy Białostocki, Jan Nowotarski, Piotr Adamczyk, Kazimierz Rzepka, Michał Jurczenko, Krzysztof Jasiński (Staszczuk) Front: (l-r) Zbigniew Żak, Ryszard Białostocki, Stanisław Skiba, Jan Kaźmierów, Tadeusz Solarz, Bolesław Wojtowicz, Alfred Sapiński
Standard 6A, 1947.
(l-r) Zbigniew Kaczmarek, Kazimierz Markowski, Rudolf Szymczycha, Czesław Bełczęcki, Tadeusz Burak, Józef Zawada, Stanisław Manterys, Mieczysław Głowacki, Stanisław Brejnakowski, Ryszard Nowacki, Bronisław Bręczek, Mieczysław Markowski (standing), Marian Adamski, Stanisław Kilian, Jerzy Wierzbicki (front), Witold Dziegieć, Ryszard Sierpiński, Józef Wnęk (back), Józef Plewięski, Jan Rogowski, Zdzisław Gawronek, Piotr Przychodźko, Michał Zagwojski, Jan Kołodziński, Aleksander Tkaczyk (aka Goryl), Andrzej Szymanik
Back: (l-r) Bogdan Bocian, Zdzisław Lorenc, Franciszek Żak, Krzysztof Dziegieć, Bronisław Gmyterko, Antoni Dobrowolski,
Stanisław Dygas
Front: (l-r) Tadeusz Woś, Eugeniusz Żak, Zygmunt Zyskowski, Tadeusz Lepionka, Alfons Moroz
The proud eel fishers, 1947.
(l-r) Bolesław Banasiak, Piotr Mazur, Stanisław Dygas, Władysław Nowak, Antoni Aulich
(l-r) Stanisław Brejnakowski, Zygmunt Ratuszny, a New Zealand soldier, Marceli Jamrozy, Józef Sokalski, Jan Wiewiórka (front), Zygmunt Zyskowski (back), Józef Wnęk, Tadeusz Reder, Michał Smal
Polish boys at St Patrick's College, Wellington, 1948.
Back: (l-r) Władysław Wojtowicz, Antoni Wodzicki, Stanisław Manterys, Tadeusz Burak, Stanisław Brejnakowski, Jan Nowotarski, Stanisław Skwarko, Jan Dawiec
Middle: (l-r) Wacław Juchnowicz, Henryk Rudnicki, Józef Sokalski, Michał Zagwojski, Stanisław Kilian, Mieczysław Głowacki, Lech Lubas, Aleksander Basałaj, Wacław Sumicz, Zdzisław Kaczorowski
Front: (l-r) Julian Nowak, Zbigniew Kaczmarek, Jan Kołodziński, Rudolf Szymczycha, Bronisław Urbanowicz, Paweł Wójcik, Roman Kołodziński, Adam Banaś, Witold Rudnicki
Back: (l-r) Stanisław Jaśekiewicz, Mieczysław Dziobak, Bronisław Martul, Marceli Jamrozy, Sergeant Major Bourne-Webb
Front: (l-r) Zbigniew Awdziej, Ludwik Gomulski, Tadeusz Reder, Jan Pąk
(l-r) Michał Smal, Władysław Tinald, Jan Banaś
At the entrance to Block C, bedrooms C1 and C2, during the Christmas holidays at the camp, 1948-49.
(l-r) Jan Kania, Michał Zagwojski, Bolesław Żygadło, Józef Zawada, Jan Dawiec
The dentist Janina Budzyna-Dawidowska treats boys to afternoon tea. (l-r) Mieczysław Dutkiewicz, Tadeusz Sapiński, Waldemar Dejnakowski, Lech Dobroński, Julian Mazur
The lawn brigade outside the school staff building. (l-r) Tatiana Olechnowicz (seated), Czesław Bełczęcki, Ryszard Sierpiński, Ryszard Nowacki, Witold Dziegieć
(l-r) Polikarp Kilczewski, Witold Domański, Władysław Miliszewski, Leon Sondej.
Photo taken by Camp Commandant Major Foxley, December 1945
A sea of smiling faces with some clutching prized toys. Maria Węgrzyn (back left) and Stanisława Lewandowska (back right) look over a group of their youngest charges. (l-r) Antoni Juchnowicz, Bronisław Witaszek, Zygmunt Szadkowski, Edward Wała, Julian Ośeko, Czesław Nawrocki, Stanisław Banaś, Witold Pleciak, Franciszek Szpetnar, Bronisław Węgrzyn, Bronisław Pietkiewicz, Eugeniusz Sarnecki, Michał Guc, Andrzej Dobrowolski, Bronisław Dudek, Jan Lepionka, Ryszard Tymicki (partially hidden), Ryszard Gołębiewski
The youngest children growing up.
Standing: (l-r) Zygmunt Szadkowski, Ryszard Gołębiewski, Bronisław Pietkiewicz, Ryszard Tymicki, Bronisław Dudek, Witold Pleciak
Kneeling: (l-r) Tadeusz Tietze, Zbigniew Szymański, Bronisław Węgrzyn, Michał Guc, Eugeniusz Sarnecki, Edward Wała
Camp Commandant Major Foxley amuses the kindergarten children with a "disappearing sixpence" trick. (l-r) Major Foxley, Bronisław Pietkiewicz, Edward Wała, Franciszek Szpetnar, Stanisław Banaś, Eugeniusz Sarnecki, Michał Guc, Bronisław Węgrzyn, Ryszard Gołębiewski, Kazimierz Dudek, Ryszard Tymicki, Witold Pleciak, Bronisław Witaszek, Jan Lepionka
Caregiver: Stanisława Lewandowska Back: (l-r) Michał Guc, Eugeniusz Sarnecki, Witold Pleciak, Ryszard Gołębiewski, Bronsiław Dudek, Edward Wała, Ryszard Tymicki
Middle: (l-r) Tadeusz Tietze, Zygmunt Szadkowski, Bronisław Węgrzyn, Bronisław Pietkiewicz, Antoni Juchnowicz, Andrzej Dobrowolski, Stanisław Banaś
Front: (l-r) Czesław Nawrocki, Julian Ośko, Franciszek Szpetnar, Marek Powierza, Jan Lepionka, Bronisław Witaszek
"Bush Midget Champs" 1947.
Back: (l-r) Anatol Karpik, Władysław Leszewicz, Mieczysław Markowski, Jan Kołodziński
Front: (l-r) Stanisław Brejnakowski, Ryszard Sierpińksi, Aleksander Tkaczyk (Goryl)
Bush Primary Champs" 1947.
Back: (l-r) Piotr Przychodźko, Bronisław Rożniatowski, Piotr Adamczyk Middle: (l-r) Mieczysław Głowacki, Krzysztof Jasiński (Staszczuk), Bolesław Wojtowicz, Czesław Pelc Front: Jerzy Wierzbicki
One of several camp rugby teams, 1947.
Back: (l-r) Kazimierz Krawczyk, Władysław Szulgan, Władysław Nowak, Zdzisław Lepionka, Tadeusz Jankiewicz, Zdzisław Kośenik
Middle: (l-r) Franciszek Kubiak, Józef Jagiełło, Marian Budny, Antoni Sarniak, Nikifor Piesocki, Mieczysław Grzywa
Front: (l-r) Waldemar Dejnakowski, Stanisław Januszkiewicz
Stanisław Januszkiewicz, Zygmunt Zyskowski, Henryk Apanowicz
A rugby team, 1948.
Back: (l-r) Andy Nola, Teodor Poszeluk, Ryszard Żołnowski, Kazimierz Krawczyk, Tadeusz Lepionka, Eugeniusz Zajkowski, Kazimierz Niedźwiecki, Bronisław Kasprzyk, Frank Muller
Front: (l-r) Bronisław Gmyterko, Anatol Karpik, Władysław Leszewicz, Michał Adamczyk, Stanisław Gratkowski, Marian Budny, Tadeusz Wiewiórka, Zdzisław Witkowski
Poles under the posts, 1948. The boys took on rugby with a passion and became "the fear of the northern Wairarapa". The opposition team's management had to lend them rugby boots for the representative team's first game.
Standing: (l-r) Marian Kępka, Zdzisław Lorenc, Zdzisław Witkowski, Władysław Leszewicz, Anatol Karpik, Bronisław Lemów, Frank Muller, Stanisław Gratkowski, Marian Budny, Jan Niedźwiecki, Alfons Moroz, Bronisław Gmyterko (partly visible), Witold Powierza, Michał Sidoruk, Michał Smal (partly visible), Bolesław Banasiak, Zygmunt Wiśniewski, Zbigniew Tarasiewicz, Eugeniusz Zajkowski (partly visible), Kazimierz Niedźwiecki, Michał Adamczyk, Władysław Orawiec, Stanisław Ośeciłowski, Piotr Mazur (white shirt), Andy Nola Kneeling: (l-r) Jan Holender, Antoni Leparowski, Zygmunt Ratuszny Sitting: (l-r) Władysław Nowak, Jerzy Wierzbicki, Roman Kraj, Tadeusz Lepionka, Antoni Dobrowolski, Tadeusz Wiewiórka, Stanisław Dygas, Mieczysław Grzywa, Bronisław Woś, Franciszek Kubiak, Bogusław Januszkiewicz, Edward Krejcisz, Mikołaj Bartniczak, Nikifor Piesocki, Władysław Szulgan, Jerzy Bojarski
The seven-a-side Bush Primary Cup, 1948.
Back: (l-r) Andy Nola, Teodor Poszeluk, Władysław Orawiec, Kazimierz Niedźwiecki, Frank Muller
Front: (l-r) Władysław Leszewicz, Michał Adamczyk, Zdzisław Witkowski, Anatol Karpik
The Polish Scout troop leader in New Zealand and Polish Cub leaders. The Poles include:
Back: (l-r) Aleksander Bednarski (2nd), Mikołaj Gliński (4th), Tadeusz Mazur (5th), Zdzisław Kaczorowski (9th)
Middle: (l-r) Bogusława Gradzik (1st), Polish Scout troop leader Stefania Kozera (6th), Wiktoria Tabisz (7th), Zofia Surynt (8th)
Front: Eugeniusz Szadkowski (4th)
Polish Scouts at the camp.
Standing: (l-r) Stanisław Wolk, Kazimierz Wiśniewski, Tadeusz Zioło, Julian Borowiec, Kazimierz Walczak
Sitting: (l-r) Alfred Sapiński, Mieczysław Ptak, Bronisław Rożniatowski, Jerzy Jankiewicz, Stefania Kozera, Czesław Pelc (arm in sling), Lech Lubas, Jan Kowalski, Adam Banaś, Krzysztof Jasiński (Staszczuk)
Back: (l-r) Andy Nola, Bronisław Kasprzyk, Eugeniusz Zajkowski, Ryszard Żołnowski, Frank Muller
Front: (l-r) Tadeusz Wiewiórka, Bronisław Gmyterko, Tadeusz Lepionka, Stanisław Gratkowski
Antoni Kozłowski leads the march at the camp to Sunday Mass
Back: (l-r) Jan Wojciechowski, Krzysztof Jasiński (Staszczuk), Lech Lubas,
Front: (l-r) Zofia Pacanowska, Irena Banach, Henryka Aulich, Emilia Sondej, Ryszard Bialostocki
Standing: (l-r) Wiesław Kaliński, Marian Tarasiewicz, Tomasz Kaźmierów
Kneeling: (l-r) Kazimierz Pisarek, Zbigniew Tarasiewicz
The youngest Polish children from the camp temporarily attended Marist Primary School, Palmerston North, and lived in the Linton Military Camp before relocating to the Hawera Polish Boys' Hostel for the final term of the school year, 1949.
Back: (l-r) Marian Sadowski, Krzysztof Dziegieć, Józef Jagiełło, Ludwik Głogowski, Kazimierz Krawczyk, Zdzisław Lepionka, Zdzisław Iwan, Bogusław Turski, Antoni Sarniak, Leon Zyzało, Tadeusz Rozwadowski
Middle: (l-r) Jan Makuch, Franciszek Barański, Kazimierz Niedźwiecki, Antoni Rybiński, Brother Egbert, Zbigniew Dziki, Bronisław Gmyterko, Stanisław Zyzało, Bogdan Bocian, Tadeusz Najbert
Front: (l-r) Waldemar Dejnakowski, Jerzy Juchnowicz, Tadeusz Jankiewicz, Bronisław Węgrzyn, Lech Dobroński, Kazimierz Zając, Witold Pleciak, Eugeniusz Sarnecki, Henryk Apanowicz
On holiday in Gisborne with members of the Gisborne Red Cross Transport Corps in Waihirere's bush reserve, January 1946
On holiday in Gisborne, January 1946.
Back: (l-r) Stanisław Cieślik, Józef Holender, Jerzy Surynt, Tadeusz Mazur, Stefan Wiśniewski, Władysław Pietkiewicz, Witold Domański, Czesław Iwan
Front: Kazimierz Zieliński
(l-r) Władysław Szulgan, Mikołaj Bartniczak, Michał Sidoruk (partly visible), Zygmunt Zyskowski, Mieczysław Grzywa, Andrzej Dajnowski
Boys in the camp's vegetable garden when an effort was being made to make it as self sufficient as possible, 1945. (l-r) Stanisław Prędki, Artur Gawlik, Wacław Gołębiowski, Aleksander Basałaj, Kazimierz Depczyński, Mieczysław Sadowski, Edward Dąbrowski, Tadeusz Zioło, Tadeusz Budny
One of the last groups of boys (back row) to leave the Polish Children's Camp briefly attended Mangatainoka School before being transferred to Linton Military Camp.
Back: (l-r) Waldemar Dejnakowski, Henryk Apanowicz, Józef Jagiełło, Marian Sadowski, Tadeusz Rozwadowski, Franciszek Barański, Antoni Rybiński, Zbigniew Dziki, Jan Niedźwiecki, Bronisław Gmyterko, Bogdan Bocian, Jan Makuch, Antoni Sarniak, Krzysztof Dziegieć, Ludwik Głogowski, Wojciech Michalik
Outside the camp's chapel, 1948.
Back: (l-r) Edward Dąbrowski, Jan Jarka, Mieczysław Ptak, Julian Nowak
Front: (l-r) Piotr Przychodźko, Krystyna Niedźwiecka, Irena Wierzbicka, Władysław Pietkiewicz
The first wedding at the Polish Children's Camp, 21 May 1945.
Back: (l-r) William Jane, Helena Dajnowska, Wally Jane (groom), Maria Wypych (bride), Wiktoria Wypych, Larry Eddie
Front: Halina Woźniak (flower girl)
Standing: (l-r) Józef Głowacz, Antoni Głowacz, Tadeusz Mazur, Sister Monika Alexandrowicz, Władysław Martul, Wiktor Guńko, Edmund Jabłoński
Sitting: (l-r) Grzegorz Krawczyk, Witold Domański
In the garden of the Polish Boys' Hostel, Island Bay, 1947.
Standing: (l-r) Zdzisław Kaczorowski, Stanisław Wójcik, Father Michał Wilniewczyc, Roman Kołodziński, Paweł Wójcik, Adam Banaś
Sitting: (l-r) Wacław Juchnowicz, Jan Dawiec
Children in national costume get ready for the arrival of Prime Minister Peter Fraser. "Witamy" means "welcome"
The whole camp welcomes Prime Minister Peter Fraser
The Prime Minister (centre) meets some of the the 733 Polish children he invited to New Zealand. With him is Mrs Fraser and the Polish Delegate Jan Śledziński
The youngest children form a guard of honour as Prime Minister Peter Fraser makes an inspection tour of the camp. He considered the children's wellbeing his personal responsibility.
Countess Maria Wodzicka, wife of the Polish Consul to New Zealand, welcomes the Prime Minister and guests
VIPs visiting the camp, February 1947. (l-r) Archbishop O'Shea, Polish Delegate Szczęsny Zaleski, Apostolic Delegate to Australia and New Zealand Archbishop Panico, Prime Minister Peter Fraser
Taking a salute on Poland's national day, 3 May, on the podium beneath the guard tower. Major Finny (in uniform), Stefania Kozera (next right) and Szczęsny Zaleski. The tower is a relic of the camp's original purpose as a detention centre for New Zealand's wartime "aliens"
Archbishop O'Shea makes an official visit to the camp, 25 January 1945
Poland's national day parade (3 May) at the camp led by Piotr Przychodźko. On the rostrum: Major Finny (2nd from left) Szczęsny Zaleski (3rd from left). Note the camp's siren on the building on the right
The now adult Polish boys during their motorbike phase on Wellington's picturesque Oriental Parade in the 1950s. Note St Gerard's monastery on the hill. (l-r) Marian (Marek) Kazimierzak, Jan Rogowski, Witold Suchodolski, Czesław Bełczącki
At a dance in St Francis Hall, Hill Street, Wellington, early 1950s.
Back: (l-r) Stanisław Skwarko, Józef Zawada, Ryszard Sierpiński, Andrzej Szymanik
Front: (l-r) Jan Wojciechowski, Jan Kołodziński, Roman Kraj, Jan Niedźwiecki
A group of the camp's teachers, caregivers and domestic staff.
Back: (l-r) Leon Rudolf Rosenberg-Łaszkiewicz, Waleria Zatorska, Maria Węgrzyn, Stefania Nawalaniec, Ewa Benasiewicz, Elwira Kundycka, Paulina Jania, Julia Rolińska
Front: (l-r) Zofia Sprusińska, Stanisława Kołodyńska, Father Michał Wilniewczyc, Janina Kornobis, Weronika Woźniak, Helena Białostocka, Zdzisława Blaschke, Balbina Wojtowicz
The Polish Children's Camp hospital was a very important place as the children's health needed attention from their years in exile. Thanks to the staff's devoted care, the children soon recovered.
Back: (l-r) Stefania Jasionowicz, Bert Ford, Sister La Hore, Sister Leaming, Elwira Kundycka, Zofia Pantalejew, Weronika Maciejowska
Front: (l-r) Zofia Szysz, Sister Johnson, Helena Szymulska, Dr Eugenia Czochańska, Maria Sawicka
Polish staff relax in the camp's dining room. (l-r) Jerzy Białostocki, Antoni Kozłowski, Janina Dąbrowska, Karolina Pytlos, Józef Holona, Bolesława Połeć, Stanisława Lewandowska
Polish domestic staff members. (l-r) Zofia Piotrkowska, Petronela Ostrowska, Zofia Kołodzińska
Some of the New Zealand personnel, 1947.
Back: (l-r) Mary Sergent, Eddie O'Keefe, Frank Muller, Joan Hay, Marion Parker
Front: (l-r) Andy Nola, Mary Eising, Bill McPartland
Inside the camp's shoe-repair shop. (l-r) Danuta Czerny-Hołownia, Wojciech Michalik, Sergeant Major Bourne-Webb
Camp Commandant Major Finny (left) with the Polish Delegate Szczęsny Zaleski (right)
The camp's ever-smiling hygienist Maria Kasperowicz
1947. The New Zealand teaching staff at the Polish Children's Camp who gave the children their first formal introduction to the English language, not to mention the fair game of rugby. (l-r) Andy Nola, Alexander Henderson, Mary Sergent, Frank Muller, Joan Hay, Mary Eising, Hugh McKinnon
(l-r) Grzegorz Treder of Konini (born in Carterton, 1897, and descended from earlier Polish settlers, he could still speak some Polish and was very popular with the older people in the camp), Maria Korczak-Bucewicz, Stanisława Danielewska, Olga Sygierycz
(l-r) Julia Rolińska, Paulina Jania, Janina Dmochowska, Józef Holona, Teresa Dmochowska, Zofia Sprusińska
The Polish girls farewelling the popular Polish priest Father Michał Wilniewczyc at the Polish Boys' Hostel, Island Bay.
Back: (l-r) Bronisław Nawrocki (hostel manager), Henryka Nasarzewska, Janina Nawrocka, Aniela Adach, Zofia Czochańska, Józefa Wrotniak, Rozalia Manterys, Maria Węgrzyn, Krystyna Wojciechowska
Front: (l-r) Krystyna Wołyncewicz, Genowefa Dźwiniel, Leokadia Bełczącka, Father Michał Wilniewczyc, Wanda Rzepka, Alicja Tarnowska, Irena Bartniczak
Farewelling Father Wilniewczyc on his departure from the camp upon his transfer to the Polish children's refugee settlements in Lebanon, 5 December 1947. (l-r) Zofia Kołodzińska, Zofia Reder, Maria Pietrasińska, Petronela Ostrowska, Weronika Snarska, Stefania Jasionowicz, Salomea Szymczycha, Father Michał Wilniewczyc, Jadwiga Żerebecka, Ludwika Sójka, Helena Białostocka, Stefania Kozera
The New Zealand soldiers next to the camp's vehicle fleet. One of the Polish children, Kazimierz Markowski, is 4th from right
The Nawalaniec family. (l-r) Władysława, Jan, Stefania, Helena (mother), Helena
Back: (l-r) Ewa Benasiewicz, Szczęsny Zaleski, Maria Dajnowska, Teodozja Woźniak, Stefania Jasionowicz,
Middle: (l-r) Janina Krystman, Maria Hajduk, Janina Świerczyńska, Janina Dajnowska
Front: (l-r) Wiktoria Dajnowska, Stefania Benasiewicz, Kazimiera Hajduk, Maria Woźniak, Halina Woźniak
The Kotlicki family in one of the camp's staff huts.
(l-r) Elżbieta, Mieczysław (junior), Mieczysław (reading the
Listener
)
A group of first-generation Polish New Zealanders with some of the former children refugees dressed in Polish national costumes at Pahiatua's centenary parade in 1981.
Standing: (l-r) Stefan Lepionka, Zbyszek Wypych, Tereska Kozera, Piotr Wypych, Ala Manterys, Michał Mendruń, Helena Zawada, Conrad Zawada, Anton Zawada, Stefan Sondej, Adam Manterys, Alinka Przychodźko, Bela Przychodźko, Danusia Choroś
Sitting: (l-r) Czesława Markowska (Gazdowicz), Zofia Czochańska, Jadwiga Domańska (Lendnał), Janina Kowalczyk (Niedźwiecka), Teresa Sapińska, Irena Gibbs, Dorota Gibbs, Helena Juchnowicz (Przychodżko), Aniela Gibbs, Maria Wypych (Węgrzyn)
The Polish dancing group Lublin. The group consists of first-generation Polish New Zealanders who performed at various Polish cultural events and to the general public.
They are pictured here after a performance in Pahiatua at the 50th anniversary reunion of the Polish children's arrival in New Zealand
Two weeks' holiday (from 17 to 31 August 1945) was arranged for all the children from the Polish Children's Camp to various parts of the country for a taste of life in New Zealand. This group of 225 children visited Wanganui, where they received a very warm welcome from the local community. Each child was given a commemorative certificate of their visit
A statue of New Zealand's wartime Prime Minister Peter Fraser who was instrumental in bringing the Polish children to New Zealand. It stands outside the former Government Buildings in Wellington, the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere
Leon Rudolf Rosenberg-Łaszkiewicz used to buy horses for the Polish army. At the camp, he bought a horse and named it Kuba. It was loved by all the children. Once, when Kuba escaped, Leon phoned the Pahiatua police in a panic using his best English: "Kuba, she is gone!" The officer understood that the wife had escaped
A march to Wellington's Cenotaph to support Poland's Solidarity (Solidarność) movement and protest against the Soviet occupation of Poland, 9 February 1981. Note the railway station in the background and the former Government Buildings on the right. Leading the march are (l-r) Zdzisław Lepionka (Polish Association President), Ludwik Kowalczyk, Mieczysław Murawski and Dioniza Choroś (Gradzik)
Cutting the cake at the 40th anniversary of the Polish children's arrival in New Zealand. (l-r) Czesław Witkowski, Krystyna Witkowska, Irena Wierzbicka, Janina Kowalczyk, Helena Wypych, Irena Mroczek, Maria Węgrzyn, Father Stanisław Marut, Mieczysław Lis, Father Bronisław Węgrzyn, Józef Głowacz, Eugeniusz Szadkowski, Tadeusz Reder, Franciszek Wypych
MP John Falloon (left) and John Roy-Wojciechowski (right) unveil the information board next to the Pahiatua camp memorial at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Polish children's arrival in New Zealand
Reunion Committee of the 60th Anniversity of the Arrival of Polish Children in New Zealand.
Standing (l-r) Stanisław Manterys, Józef Zawada, Tadeusz Reder, Halina Manterys, Michał Zagwojski, Mieczysław Lis, Jan Roy-Wojciechowski
Sitting (l-r) Janina Iwanica, Dioniza Choroś (Chairperson), Stefania Zawada, Stefania Sondej. (Absent: Father Bernard Bednarz, Emilia Jensen, Adam Manterys)