Polish Veterans Minister visits War Heroes

SPVA staff and a Polish veteran  received medals that give thanks to the people taking care of Polish veterans in the UK

Last Thursday, the Polish Government’s Minister for Veterans Affairs, Dr Jan Ciechanowski, took time out from a five day visit to the UK to present ‘Pro Memoria’ Medals at SPVA's Ilford Park Polish Home near Newton Abbot, Devon. The home, known locally as ‘Little Poland’ cares for former members of the Polish forces who served under British command during Second World War.

The Minister was accompanied by Polish Consul-General to the UK, Mr Zaborowski.

Polish Consul-General Mr Zaborowski, Minister for Veterans Affairs - Dr Jan Ciechanowski, Mr Mieczyslaw Juny MBE

Those presented with medals and certificates were IPPH manager Mrs Clare Thomas, Care Manager Jos Rice, Nurse Manager Linda McVeigh and care Assistant Mrs Helen Johns.

Helen grew up at Ilford Park as a child and has now given over 30 years of her working life to looking after the residents, she said:

“It has been an honour to meet the Minister and accept this beautiful Medal from him. My Mother and father were residents here at Ilford Park when it was known as Stover Polish camp. Working at IPPH has enabled me to give something back to the veterans and receiving this Medal means a great deal to me.”

A Medal and certificate were also presented to World War II fighter pilot and former Prisoner of War Mr Mieczyslaw Juny MBE (98), who is now Chairman of the IPPH Residents Committee.

After the presentation, Dr Ciechanowski and Mr Zaborowski spent the rest of the visit talking to other members of staff and residents at the home.

Read the full press release here.

Pro Memoria Medal and Certificate

The silver ‘Pro Memoria’ Medal was instituted in 2005 by the Polish Government’s ‘Office for Combatants and Oppressed Individuals’. It is conferred in a single class to honour individuals who have contributed to commemorating the people who fought for the independence of Poland during and after the Second World War.

Polish Minister to visit Devon's 'Little Poland'

The gardens at Ilford Park

On Thursday (3rd March), the Polish Government’s Minister for Veterans Affairs, Dr Jan Ciechanowski, will visit our Ilford Park Polish Home (IPPH) near Newton Abbot, Devon to present staff and a resident with the Polish ‘Pro Memoria’ medal.

During Dr Ciechanowski’s time at the Home, part of a wider visit to the UK, he will also meet other residents and thank staff for the work they do to look after elderly Polish war veterans who served with the UK Armed Forces during the Second World War.

Those being presented with the medal include Mr Mieszyslaw Juny, former PoW, WWII fighter pilot and now Chairman of Ilford Park Residents Committee. He will also present a medal to Care Worker Mrs Helen Johns, who spent her childhood and later her working life at Ilford Park.

The silver ‘Pro Memoria’ Medal was instituted in 2005 by the Polish Government’s ‘Office for Combatants and Oppressed Individuals’. It is conferred in a single class to honour individuals who have contributed to commemorating the people who fought for the independence of Poland during and after the Second World War.

To find out more about the Home, check out our video.