Franciszek Jan Miedziak

[Elliven]

I have not yet done the research into his medals and this is an early photo so he ended the war with quite a few more.  But it doesn't matter.  His daughter and grandson are not knowledgeable about the medals and will not even notice the lack of colour on the medal ribbons.  What you have given them is amazing considering they only had a cracked old black and white photo.  He arrived in England with nothing but the clothes he was wearing; he fought a war and he made good as a civilian afterwards - that is the outsiders view but to them he was Dad and Granddad - something special.  They know nothing of his pre-war life or his military life and writing his story is my job and you and others on here have done something I couldn't do to make it a bit more special.  Thank you.

[Elliven]

Thanks japeflakes,

The comments I made to Trishanne also apply to you.  What I will do is to give them all the photos on here and they can chose their own favourites

[Trishanne]

Fresh Fields, thank you for your comment, it is much appreciated.
Pat

[Fresh Fields]

Thank you so much japeflakes,

His daughter and grandson will be delighted with that!  They know virtually nothing about his pre-war and wartime life and I am researching that for them.  This will be the icing on the cake.

Neville

Hello from New Zealand.

If you or Jan's family have not contacted the Polish Air Men Association I suggest that you do. They have an active history division.

http://www.polishairmensassociation.org.uk/

I know of a Kiwi girl who married into one such family, and for a period they returned to introduce UK dairying practices into their Polish family home land, but am now advised that they are back at their UK dairy farm.

Alan.

[DanNC]

One with color, one without (I'll do a second post for the black and white version)

[DanNC]

And here's the black and white version

[Elliven]

Thank you very much for your efforts.  The family will be so pleased to have had so many results.  I hope I will be able to write the story well enough to do justice to all the excellent pictures!

[Treetotal]

Hi Neville...I  had a go too.
Carol

[Elliven]

Thanks Carol,

I have been lucky with this one!  So many excellent results.  I shouldn't be surprised because it is probably a reflection of Franciszek's luck.  This is a man who was sitting, minding his own business (firing his twin machine guns!), when his turret was peppered with gunfire and he suffered only minor wounds!