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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Norfolk => Topic started by: murton on Monday 25 March 13 10:59 GMT (UK)
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I am researching a casualty of the WW2 Polish WAAF and wonder if any member can offer any assistance; she is-
Leading Aircraftwoman. Eugenia Zagajewska. She is recorded as died by drowning on 21st April 1946, Easter Bank Holiday weekend, and is buried in Norwich or Earlham Cemetery, Norfolk, (grave ref. Plot Section 54, Grave 223). I am advised that a Polish navy man died with her. I also understand that the reporting authority was Norwich Outer so the incident obviously occurred in the Norfolk area.
My initial thought was a Norfolk Broads incident but I was further advised that the Polish navy had an MTB Flotilla stationed off the coast of Norfolk so the incident could have been at sea.
My question now is ‘How and where they drowned’. I am reluctant to speculate on a D.C. at the moment as the cause of death will probably only quote “Died by Drowning”.
Grateful for any assistance.
Tony
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nothing found in the Historical newspapers online but as you have an exact date you could contact the Norfolk record office :
http://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/
Diddy
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Diddy
Thanks for your interest, I will give them a try
Tony
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You might get some pointers from the contact email address here:
http://www.cobseo.org.uk/files/pressnotice.pdf
Imber
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Thanks Imber
Will try them as well
Tony
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Hi murton
From the Eastern Daily Press, Wednesday April 24 1946 page 5
Capsized Canoe at Buxton
Polish Sailor and Girl Drowned
When a metal canoe capsized on the river Bure at Buxton-with- Lammas on Easter Monday, a Polish sailor, Wladzislaw Silzewski, and his fiancée, Cpl. Eugenia Zagajewska, of the Polish W.A.A.F, lost their lives. Both were on holiday in Norfolk. The sailor was a student at the Polish Naval College at Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, having been temporarily released from the Polish Navy for study. The W.A.A.F. was stationed in London. Both were aged 21.
If you PM me an email address I will send more ;)
regards
yokel
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Thanks Yokel
That's saved me a job, most grateful. Email on the way
Regards.
Tony
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email on its way ;D
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Yokel
Thanks for your assistance, a gold star, you made this case easier than most of the others.
My best wishes,
Tony
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you're welcome
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Just for the record and general interest -
Eugenia was born on 7th September 1924 in Ostrów, Sokal, Lwów. Poland. I have no details of her early life in Poland other than she was forced to flee her homeland in 1939 when Poland was occupied by Germany and subsequently jointly by Russia. She would have initially fled to France and subsequently, with the German occupation of that country in 1940, to England where, possibly c.1942 she enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force attached to the Polish Air Force. She qualified with the equivalent rank of Leading Aircraftwoman and was posted as a Lady Secretary to the Technical Training Command at the Polish Air Force Headquarters in London. At some time during her service she met and became engaged to a Polish navy man, Wledzyslaw Silzewski, Who had been temporarily released from naval service to study at the Polish Naval College at Bridge of Allan near Stirling, Scotland.
No further information until April 1946 when it appears that Eugenia and her Fiancée spent the Easter holiday period with some friends on the Norfolk Broads. Wladzislaw had a metal canoe that he had previously borrowed from two Polish airmen from Coltishall aerodrome and had used on previous occasions; it was made from the auxiliary petrol tank of an aircraft. However they were canoeing on the River Bure when the boat was seen to capsize and sink, a witness said the boat capsized when Wladzislaw leaned forward towards Eugenia. Ada Llusarek, A WAAF friend of Eugenia and cousin of Wladzislaw, said that Eugenia was clinging to her cousin in such a manner that he could not move because of the mud at the bottom of the six feet of water and he was so exhausted he could not reach the rope that another witness had thrown out to him, consequently he succumbed to exhaustion and they both drowned.
Tony
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Yokel
Thanks for your assistance, a gold star, you made this case easier than most of the others.
My best wishes,
Tony
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Recently discovered Eugenia Zagajewska was my Aunt