Poland in the UK

From the initiative of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh, right after the strictest restrictions regarding the Covid-19 pandemic were eased, a very special event took place in Dunbeath. A ceremony was held to honour a 99-year-old veteran of the Second World War, Mr Ryszard Polański, who received a state award and a promotion to a high officer. The Consul General Ireneusz Truszkowski awarded Mr Polański with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta on behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland. Additionally, colonel Mieczysław Malec, Defence Attaché in London solemnly handed in a commission with the appointment to a second naval lieutenant. Furthermore, colonel Malec read a congratulatory letter from Admiral Krzysztof Jaworski, Commander of the Naval Operations Centre and from Mr Tomasz Miegoń, Director of the Naval Museum in Gdynia. Thanks to the great commitment of the management of the Polish Naval Museum in Gdynia, it was also possible to present Mr Polański with an officer’s cap, golden braids for the sleeves as well as the emblem and badges of the Polish Navy.

This extremely emotional event took place on the 21st of May 2021 in the presence of the immediate family and representatives of the local community. The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland commissioned a film about the event, additionally presenting the extraordinary life of Mr Polański.