Pat Healey

Pic includes Siberian Exile and Monte Cassino Anniversary medals Patrick Healey

I have almost finished an "album" of the life of Wladyslaw Najduch. In 1939, at the age of 15, he was taken from his home by the Soviets to a forced labour camp in Archangel. He made detailed sketches of the camp and its activities. After 2 years, he joined others somehow, thousands of miles way. He was 3rd Carpathian Fifles, Polish 2 Corps, 2 Signals Battalion 2 Warszawska Armoured Div. As was the norm for 2 Corps, he was in Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Tobruk, Monte Cassino, Ancona & Bologna. I have photos taken by & of him at all the above locations + his time in PRC in various UK locations. Appx 80 photos. Most with notation in Polish on reverse. I have his 5 medals (one missing according to uniform ribbons) but no medal documentation, but have managed to identify all 6. I also have his uniform insignia and his Service Record from Northolt........the writing is tiny AND in Polish, so my research has now stumbled. I've seen that in Monte Cassino, he was a Master Signaller and that he rode a motorcycle. There is no mention of him being wounded but having seen entry and exit wounds, I know he was. There are no "wounded" stars in collection. I would like to identify his collar flashes; slim pennants in enamelled metal, coloured black over blue.....are these for 2 Signals 2 Armoured Div? What to do with the album & collection when finally complete? Not sure at this stage.....perhaps donate it to his old school in Poland (same time and place as Pope John Paul) I just feel that he should be remembered. Patrick Healey.

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It'll be the end of January before I hear from Northolt with the Service History for Wladyslaw. Am currently compiling an album of photographs taken by or of him during his times in Iran, Iraq, Egypt, inc Tobruk, Monte Cassino, Ancona & Bologna. (68 photos) a further 30 during his 2 years in Polish Resettlement Corps in England. Most have his written notations on the reverse but in Polish and cannot translate. Apart from his uniform Insigna(s), I have his original drawings, many when at school and perhaps more importantly, those of the Forced Labour Camp in which the Soviets imprisoned him. It transpires that he attended the same school as John Paul (Pope) and I also have a photograph with them meeting for the first time since school at the 25th anniversary of Monte Cassino. (Charles and Dianna were next in line for an audience.......good to know that JP had his priorities right.) An interesting artefact is his map case from his time in Italy which he engraved with all his unit Insigna. I'm told that there may be more to be found in his son's loft. Two items I am yet to identify are: one medal ribbon and his collar flashes. No idea of the colours of the medal ribbon but the collar flashes/pennants in the form of metal and enamel elongated triangles, are black over blue. Also shown on his uniform photograph is a communications/signals circular armoured badge, but this is missing from the collection of items handed to me.

Thanks for that. Both the "Monte Cassino Cross" & commemorative medal in my possession. The metal device is on the cross. I am currently gathering necessary documentation to obtain the service record of this Polish soldier from the MoD so cannot confirm what medal (if any) may have been laid at a grave.

The one attachment I have managed is of the GB Certificate of Registration issued in 1947. He had signed up for the Polish Resettlement Corps and had by that time travelled from Scotland, Buckinghamshire and elsewhere, eventually ending up in Easton in Gordano, Somerset, just outside Bristol. Having managed this attachment, I will try to obtain the medals again to make photos with smaller file size.

Can anyone confirm that a metal piece of script "MonteCassino" on the medal ribbon, is a later and unauthorised addition? The medal was awarded to Wladislaw Najduch who at the the time of MonteCassino was a member of 11 Signals (the number on the obverse is one of those issued to the unit). Wladislaw, in common with many at the time, also has the Italian Star, the 39-45 Star, Defence Medals (both GB & Poland), the Siberian Exile Cross. I believe there may have been others, one a cross of some sort, that were laid upon the grave stones of fallen comrades upon his commemorative visit to MonteCassino years ago. I'm having trouble attaching pics of his medals and uniform badges. Wladislaw was a corporal in 3rd Carpathian Rifles, 2nd Armoured Battalion(?) and 11 Signals. He was in Tobruk and who knows where else. I am about to send off for his Full Service History so may (eventually) be able to confirm and or add to this.

Thank you Mervyn. I'll attempt that but wheels and timber are my forte.

Can anyone tell me please? Is there any particular significance to the words "CassinoStar" in metal, attached to the medal ribbon. From the issue number on the obverse of the medal it would appear that it was issued to a member of the 11th Signals (Polish). Wladyslaw Najduch

I am beginning to trace the history of the below deceased, a man I knew to be quiet & unassuming. He settled in the UK and fathered two sons. Unfortunately neither son has shown sufficient interest in researching their father's service or other history Wladyslaw Laczkaczewski-Najduch DoB 01:11:1923, grew up in Krzywzyki a village in Poland. The village was near the border with the USSR. Wladislav attended the same school and played football with Pope John Paul. His father Frank, (thats a relief) was the local police commissioner of the town/village where they lived on a farm raising…………..? (he had fought for Austria/Hungary in WW1 and had been gassed by the British side) Wladislaw was about ? years of age when at the time of the German-Russian alliance/pact, Russia had already made incursions into Poland. Wladislaw and his parents were taken prisoner and transported to Siberia where his father died. When Russia decided to change sides and join the western allies, Wladislaw was given a choice…….join the Russian army or head off south. Walter did what anyone with a brain would do if they wanted to stay alive for at least a week or two, he became a Russian soldier. ? weeks/months passed before Wladislaw made up his mind what he had to do. Bugger off! He headed south……..to the Middle East. There he joined up with the British military and became attached to the British 8th army. Remaining uniform badges and medals indicate he was in the 3rd Carpathian Rifles & Polish 2nd Warszawski Armoured Division? There may be other material/regalia/medals in one of the sons houses, but obtaining that from him is not easy. I have seen an address in Northolt UK which might be of assistance for his service history perhaps? Can you confirm please? Is there any organisation or person that would appreciate my findings before I too am history? From: Patrick Healey <pat.healey2@btinternet.com> I am unable to send images on here for some reason but should anyone be interested, mail me at the above. there is a Monte Cassino cross with "Montecassino" in metal script on the ribbon; why is that?