Val Tyminski, Palestine, 1943
“September 1939 Germany attacked Poland - two weeks later Russians attacked from the east and transported one a half million people to Siberia. I with my two brothers and sisters and sick mother were amongst these people.” recalls Val. At midnight, on 10th February 1940 three communist soldiers entered their home and told the family to get the bare essentials. Then began their 28-day journey to Gordo Kara’s, Siberia.
In June 1941 Nazi Germany attacked Russia so the Polish were freed. The Soviets were keen for the Polish to help them fight Germany, “We were encouraged ‘To pull our resources together to defeat our common enemy.’ “Tell that to somebody else!” I thought.” remembers Val. So, he along with his siblings travelled down to Kazakhstan to enlist in the Polish army.
The train they were on stopped at stations where people would often get off to collect bread. The third time Val got off to collect bread the train was gone when he returned, he traveled back and forth to various towns but could not find his siblings, “Eventually I came across a train full of Polish men who were going to join the army so I joined them.” Val added two years onto his age in order to join.
Unfortunately, Val came down with Typhus soon after joining and nearly died, often passing out for long periods of time. Val went onto join the survey regiment, becoming a dispatch rider later on.
With the Polish army Val travelled across the Caspian Sea, through Iran eventually crossing the Sinai desert into Egypt. “My older brother died in Khalistan from starvation, which was quite common. I came across my sister in Palestine who joined the transport company ATS and brother in Egypt who was part of Military Juniors school.”
From Egypt the Allies prepared their successful attack on Monte Casino, Italy. “Being a survey regiment, our time was not very eventful. “Infantry had a worse time. We, the Poles, lost over 2000 wounded and 1000 died.”.
After the War Val and some of his fellow Polish men went to an army base in Anglesey, and were then dispatched around the UK, “I chose Stoke-on-Trent because my English colleges thought that girls here were pretty. I like this country and people. I have not got a bad word to say about the English.” He adds, “I’ve worked here all my life, raised a family, now I am retired and resting on the laurels of my work.” He also visits Burslem Jubilee project once a week to play checkers and socialise with refugees. The charity recently won the Queens Award for Voluntary service.
