Jan Piotr Reisch

This blog is written by Eddie Reisch, son of Jan Piotr Reisch and Agnes Martin Reisch ne Knight.

I started this blog approximately in 2010.

I have documented as much as I can at this point and have scanned all of the documents I found in dads papers.

The process below:

• Dads life in chronological order with some of the scanned docs throughout the narrative.
• At the bottom of the blog are dads docs scanned and placed under date order
• Some of the docs I have struggled to get translated online so I will be asking my Polish family to help translate these if they can.
  
•  This is for me Version Three 24/01/2026

Jan Piotr Reisch 1909-1989

 Jan Piotr Reisch was born 16th July 1909 in Kolomyja (now in the Ukraine). He lived at 170 Lerjanow or in another doc it was 120 ul.Legjonow Kołomyja (I cant find either of these on a day map) and died 6th February 1989 in Wellington New Zealand and is buried with mum at Whenua Tapu Cemetery, Pukerua Bay, Porirua, New Zealand. In Poland dad had a building business 2 employees working for him as joiners.

Information on Kolomyja :

The history of Kolomyja or (Kolomyya, formerly known as Kolomea) has had a colourful history to say the least (Under Poland (1340–1498). Find out about the town's history here. 

Hand written family tree Antoni Reisch

Dads Hand written family tree ( it is two scans so difficult to read. You need to enlarge images to get a good look)

Dads Family 

• Dads Father ; Józef Reisch Born Oct 26th 1876. Death 10th Nov 1952. Josef Reisch was a civil engineer whose work had included building bridges and church spires (church spire at Gwodzdiec).
• Dads Mum: Agnieszka Reisch (z d. Piskozub) Born Nov 5th 1887. Death Feb 4th 1953.

My Cousin Edward Piskozub sent me this information that relates to his dad, Antoni Piskozub, his mum Karolina Piskozub zd. Reisch my dads sister.

Józef  had 8 children – Jan, Antoni, Katarzyna, Kazimir, Karolina, Tadeusz, Josef and Zygmunt. There were 2 sons from an earlier marriage – Karol and Frank."

This information above rings true for me and lines up with what I recollect hearing as I was growing up.

dads brothers and sisters:

• Katarzyna Reisch (sister) Birth Feb 14th  1905 . Death August 11th 1982. Husband Wiktor German
• Karolina Reisch (sister) Birth Sep 21st 1906. Death May 1975. Husband Antoni Piskozub
• Antoni Reisch (brother) Birth Oct 25th 1907. Death Jan 20th1992. Wife Elżbieta Reisch (z d. Kawalerska)
• Jan Piotr Reisch (father) Birth July 16th 1909. Death Feb 6th 1989. Wife Agnes Martin Reisch (z.d. Knight)
• Kazimierz Reisch (brother) Birth Sep 26th  1910. Death April 26th 1998. Wife Stefania Reisch Birth Nov 3rd 1910. Death April 6th 1993
• Franciszek Tadeusz Reisch  (brother) Birth March 8th 1912. Death June 26th 1981. Wife Maria Reisch (z d. Moździerz)
• Józef Karl Reisch (brother) Birth January 10th 1915. Death Nov 14th 1973. Wife Stefania Dragańczuk Reisch (z d. Kawalerska) Birth 10th August 1914, Death 3rd March 1992
• Zygmunt Reisch (brother) Birth March 8th 1912. Death 1981. Wife Matylda Reisch
• Karol Reisch? earlier marriage?
• Frank Reisch? earlier marriage?

Mine and DADS TREE

Grandparents (2 generations)

• Józef Reisch my grandfather. Born Oct 26th 1876. Death 10th Nov 1952. Josef Reisch was a civil engineer whose work had included building bridges and church spires (church spire at Gwodzdiec).
• Agnieszka Reisch (z d. Piskozub) my grandmother Born Nov 5th 1887. Death Feb 4th 1953.

Grandparents (3 generations)

• Jan Piotr Reisch my great-father. Birth July 8 1845 in Parafia rzymskokatolicka Kołomyja Przedmieście Śniatyńskie (Austro-Węgry: Kolomea). Death Apr 9 1914 (at age 68) Ukraina, Kođomyja
• Karolina Reisch (z d Beck) my great-grandmother Birth July 31 1853 Kołomyja Przedmieście Stanisławowskie 51. Death Nov 17 1893 (at age 40) Kolomyia, Bezirk Kolomea, Galicia, Austria

Grandparents (4 generations)

• Johan Pawel Reisch my great-great-grandfather Birth 1812. Parafia rzymskokatolicka Kołomyja Austriacki,. Death June 28 1894 Kołomyja, Ukraina. Married Feb 14th 1836 Kołomyja, Ukraina.
• Maria Elisabetha Reisch (zd Karg) my great-great-grandmother, Birth 1817 Kolomyja (Коломия, UA; Коломыя, RU, Kołomyja, PL, Kolomea, D; Colomeea, RO), Galizien (Galicja), Östereich (Austria). Death June 28 1894 (at age ‎~77‏) Parafia rzymskokatolicka Kołom

Grandparents ancestor (5 generations)

• Hans Jakob Reisch my great-great-great grandfather Birth approx 1799-1881.  my direct ancestor (5 generations). Death June 1st 1848 (at age ‎~49‏) Kolomea, Sniatyner Vorstadt Haus Nr. 224, Galizien, Ukraine. Buried Kolomea, Sniatyner Vorstadt Haus Nr. 224, Galizien, Ukraine. Married Feb 2nd 1821. 
• Salomea Reisch (zd Grübel) direct ancestor (5 generations). Birth Circa 1779 Galizien Kroenlande,Austria. Death June 28th 1894 Parafia rzymskokatolicka Kołomyja (Austro-Węgry: Kolomea.

Grandparents ancestor (6 generations)

• Mathias Reisch direct ancestor (6 generations). Mathias was christened 1671 - Katholisch.  Inzlingen, Loerrach, Baden. Mathias had 2 brothers: Joannes Reisch great-grandfather's great-great-uncle Born Dec 30 1674 Katholisch, Inzlingen, Loerrach, Baden Deceased. and Hennericus Reisch great-grandfather's great-great-uncle. Born Jan 28 1682 Katholisch, Inzlingen, Loerrach, Baden. Deceased
• Maria (Mathias Spouse) direct ancestor (6 generations) Deceased

Grandparents ancestor (7 generations)

• Beati Reisch  direct ancestor (7 generations). Christened at Katholisch, Inzlingen, Loerrach, Baden in 1671. Deceased ??
• Eva Rieschlin direct ancestor (7 generations). Deceased

 Translation of document:

Advance Society
Cooperative for trade and credit in Kołomyja ul. Pilsudskiego 6. (own house)

President: Michal Spólnicki, junior high school professor. 

Deputy president: Liebhart Gustaw, treasury advisor Secretary: Patkowski Antoni, adjunct director. treasure

Members of the Supervisory Board: Slotwiński Feliks, court counselor, Piskozub Władysław, court counselor Zaremba Saturnin, merchant Budzianowski Karol, merchant Bugajski Franciszek, merchant Deputies: Sławiński Marcin, merchant Reisch Jözef, carpenter.

Management Stadniczeńko Jan, merchant Ks. Sempowicz Michał Czerniatorving Jan. 

Deputies: Stadmczeko Piotr, merchant, Piskozub Jozel,

Officials: Stenziowa (B. buchhalterka Janowski Jan cashier

Peasants' Fund for agriculture, trade and industry, Spold, z ogran, odp in Kołomyja, ul. Evangelical.

Management

Franciszek Jarusz

Władysław Plezia

I think this is my Grandma Agnieszka Reisch zd. Piskozub and I think that my dad Jan Piotr Reisch is far left standing?

I think this is Józef Reisch (seated middle),  Agnieszka Reisch zd. Piskozub standing on the right??? Don't know who the others are?

Elżbieta Reisch zd. Kawalerska Born Nov 17th 1911 Kolomya.  Died April 25th 2002. buried: Cmentarz Komunalny, Kluczbork, Opolskie / Opole Voivodeship, Poland

Not sure who these people are I am guessing dads sister and nephews?

The resting place of  Antoni Reisch (brother) Birth Oct 25th 1907. Death Jan 20th1992. Wife Elżbieta Reisch (z d. Kawalerska)

Józef Karl Reisch (brother) Birth January 10th 1915. Death Nov 14th 1973. Wife Stefania Dragańczuk Reisch (z d. Kawalerska) Birth 10th August 1914, Death 3rd March 1992.  Their son Eugeniusz Reisch 1950-1995.

1981 Franciszek Tadeusz Reisch death notification 26_06_1981

This document contains the information on the birth of  Henricus Josephus Reisch. born 26.08.1940, baptised 10.09.1940. His parents - father -Reisch Antonius son of Josef and Agnes Piskozub; Mother Kowalewska Elizabetha, daughter of Stanisław and Paulina Budzianowska

Baptised parents: Reisch Josephus (1907) and Piskozub Carolina(1911)

This is the birth certificate of Zdziaław Tadeusz Piskozub. He was born on February 8, 1931, lived in Kołomyja at 250 Legionów Street. Son of Antoni Piskozub and Karolina née Reisch. Godparents: Wiktor German and Agnieszka Budzianowska (Karol's wife)

Life Sketch written and signed by Jan Piotr Reisch

Dads Life before the war extracts of his Life Sketch:

“I was born on the 16th July 1909 in Kolomyja Poland, and remained in Poland until 1939": 

From 1923 -1939 attending school, serving apprenticeship, service in the Polish Army, owner of a workshop - in Kolomyja.”

Baptism

I do not have his birth certificate but I believe that these two documents are testimony to baptism. One signed on 4th December 1953 and the one below signed in 1932. I think it is in Latin and is really difficult to make out all the writing which is in Polish 

I would like help to translate this document (Is it dads baptism document)?

 2 school reports of my dad

I have attempted to translate these docs online but they are not great would love to get my cousins in Poland to translate them for me

07/04/1948  Declaration to Dads pre war work by his employees 

This document states:

That Julian Kawalerski, son of Stanislaw,  aged 30 and Tadeusz Sokolowski, son of Adolf, aged 36 were employees of dad and testified to dads background that he caried out the trade of cabinet-making and carpentry in his own workshop from 1932 till the outbreak of war in 1939.

This was for the Board of Trade Registration in the UK.

Dads  Polish Fiancée Engaged 1936 to Rozalia Wolańska

Dad completed bans of marriage in 1936 to a Rozalia Wolańska born in 1910, Death April 24th 1940 and was to be married in Zabłotowie that is now in the Ukraine. Tradition states that the marriage would generally take place 7 days after the bans of marriage were declared. On dads marriage certificate it states that he was a widower so the assumption is that they were married.

Rozalia Wolańska

Birth Certificate 

Bans of marriage dad and Rozalia Wolańska

A signed statement that Rozalia Wolańska died in April 1940 from Tuberculosis

Rozalias' parents and siblings:

Dominik Wolański and Anna Wolańska (maiden name Urbańska). 

They were married also in Zabłotów in 1899. 

I think (but I am not sure), Anna Urbańska was his second wife. (I speculate his first wife might have been Joanna Jaślarz). 

Beside Rozalia they had many more kids, all born there as well: 

• Franciszka (F) born 1901, 
• Karolina (F) born 1905, 
• Michał (M) born 1906, 
• Helena (F) born 1908, 
• Rozalia (F) born 1910, 
• Marian (M) born 1911
• Jan (M) born 1914.

World War II 1939-1945

Polish First Armoured Division WWII

The Polish 1st Armoured Division (Polish 1 Dywizja Pancerna) was an armoured division of the Polish Armed Forces in the West during World War II. Created in February 1942 at Duns in Scotland, it was commanded by Major General Stanisław Maczek and at its peak numbered approximately 18,000 soldiers. The division served in the final phases of the Battle of Normandy in August 1944 during Operation Totalize and the Battle of Chambois and then continued to fight throughout the campaign in Northern Europe, mainly as part of the First Canadian Army.Dads army jacket and medals done by Eddie in 2024

Dads army jacket and medals done by Eddie in 2024                                      Dads Medals                                

The explanation for each medal 

• Medal on the Left: Campaign Medal, awarded for service, 6 months operational service (2 months for Aircrew) Description: Six pointed Star Clasps: Battle of Britain Bomber Command
• Medal second from the left: Campaign Medal, awarded for service, one or more days service in appropriate land or sea area, Campaign France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands or Germany 1944-1945. Six Pointed Star, Clasps: Atlantic, Atlantic Star.
• Medal third from the left: Campaign Medal, British and Commonwealth forces, awarded for Campaign Services. Second World War 1939-1945. Cupro Nickel or Silver disc, 36mm Diameter. Clasps ?. Established 16th August 1945 Related: War Medal 1939-1945.
• Medal fourth from the left: Campaign Medal, British and Commonwealth forces, awarded for Campaign Services. Second World War 1939-1945. Cupro Nickel or Silver disc, 36mm Diameter. Clasps: Single oak leaf emblem for MID Established 16th August 1945 Related: Defence Medal.

• The first medal above is for the French National Union of Combatant's member's medal;
• The second round medal showing the front and back of the medal was presented by the City of Dundee for the Coronation of King Edward V11 and Queen Alexandra 9 August 1902. The coronation of Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and as Emperor and Empress of India took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on 9 August 1902. His coronation was cancelled as a result of his abdication. The coronation date itself was not cancelled; Edward VIII's brother and successor King George VI and wife Queen Elizabeth were crowned on that date instead.

1945 Dad document of entitlement for the Campaign Star and France and Germany Star

Dads decision to take the British medal 1939-45 instead of Polish medal WOJSKA, LOTNICZY or MORSKI.

Very proud of my dad and what he went through during the war.

Dads Participation in World War II

The information below I got from my Cousin Edward Piskozub, the son of my dads brother in law and his wife Karolina Piskozub zd. Reisch:

"After the Germans invaded Poland in 1939 the Polish army was disbanded and my father came home.

• I remember playing at the end of the road and there appeared my dad, in his army uniform and cap. I remember that vividly. It’s one of the moments you really think of. Sadly, after 1939 I did not see my dad again for nearly eight years.
• My father heard that the Polish army were re-assembling in France and decided to join them. Polish free radio broadcasting from London told all the men who could escape to France to carry on fighting the Germans.

• My uncles, my mother’s two brothers John (Jan) & Kaz (kazimierz) Reisch, my dad - about six of them in total decided in the winter of 1939 to cross the border to Romania and from Romania to Hungary and then try to get to France.

• They had a Ukrainian guide who was going to take them across the CZEREMUSZ frozen river and snow to Romania.

• The guide said, “Wait here - I will go and find out if it’s clear to go”, but he lead them into a trap. When they realised, they made a run for it across the border, where Romanian guards were waiting for them.
• But Russian soldiers with guard dogs started shooting at them.
• Two of my uncles dashed ahead and managed to run across the border.
• Eventually Uncle Jan made it to France to join a Polish unit outside of Paris. 

• After Paris/France feel He then was evacuated from north of France (Dunkirk or Cherbourg) to England and from there moved to Scotland to join the 1st Polish Panzer Division.
• Later the division was sent to fight Germans in Europe.
• In 1957 he emigrated to New Zealand with his Scottish wife and three sons Ian, Edward, & Andrew.
• The other Uncle Walter Danyluk made it to Switzerland.
• But my mother’s brother Kaz got shot in the arm, so my dad and a friend Joseph Konieczny stopped and tried to drag him across the border but they got caught by Russians.
• The three of them were taken to prison in STANISLAWOW and then sent to Siberia.
• My mother went to visit him in once Stanislawow in prison but after that we didn’t hear from him until 1947. We didn’t know if he was alive or dead.
• PS: I do not have any idea on where to look but when we moved to Poland in 1946, the parish church was used by Russian as grain store. 
• I know that some of the town hall records were move to Kluczbork."

An extract from dads Life Sketch:

"1939, I took part in the in September campaign and remained under the Russian occupation till 17th February , 1940. "

The Invasion of Poland September Campaign 1939

The invasion was also known as the September campaign, or the 1939 Defensive War in Poland, was a joint invasion of Poland by Germany and Russia and marked the beginning of world war two in Europe.

• Link to map of Europe. Note before the war Kolomyja was part of Poland on this map it is now in the Ukraine. 
• Yugoslavia also no longer exists. Looking at the map from his home through to Romania and then to what was Yugoslavia makes sense.

This Link takes you to the full story of the September Campaign also known as the 1939 Defensive War in Poland from Wikipedia pages

Dads Escape to France to join the French Campaign

An extract from dads Life Sketch:

"I remained in Poland and the Russian occupation till 17th February , 1940. I left Poland for Romania and through Yugoslavia I came to France, where I took part in the French campaign."

Below is a map of Europe in 1944. This map is completely different from the map above in 1939 but it will still give you an idea of the distance dad travelled from Poland to get to France.

French Campaign 10th May -25th June

The Battle of France (French: bataille de France) (10 May – 25 June 1940), also known as the Western Campaign (Westfeldzug), the French Campaign (German: Frankreichfeldzug, campagne de France) and the Fall of France, was the German invasion of France during the Second World War. France and the Low Countries were conquered, ending land operations on the Western Front until the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944.

Dad left Poland on the 17th Feb 1940 and was there as part of the newly formed "1st Polish Armoured Regiment" which had its origins in France. He took part in that campaign till the 25th June 1940 when he arrived in Great Britain.

His journey as part of the newly formed 1st Polish Armoured Regiment in France. The unit was formed on the 20th November 1939 at Coëtquidan in Brittany. On 2nd of December 1939 they moved from Coëtquidan in Brittany to the village of Campenéac.

Dad would have made his way eventually to Campenéac or St. Cécile-les-Vignes sometime in February/March.

Soon afterwards, the first Renault FT tanks arrived, and training with these vintage and obsolete World War I tanks began.

The German offensive began on the 10th May and training accelerated in preparation for battle and on 27 May 1940, under the command of Major Stanisław Gliński, it moved to Versailles.

On 8 June 1940, the Battalion was deployed to Champagne.

As a result of the German offensive on 10th June 1940, the postion of the1st Polish Armoured Regiment became hopeless.

The Germans had infiltrated behind the French lines. Champagne and Burgundy were being surrounded from the west. The units in this pocket were being systematically destroyed from the air.

The Battalion, from the day it arrived in Champagne on 12th June 1940, sustained heavy losses, due to German air attacks. Enemy aircraft broke the Battalion’s first attack attempt.

In the chaos that ensued, the Battalion retreated to the south while under constant assault from the air.

The Polish were surrounded and they fought their way out on the night of 16th June 1940 with the 4th Motorized Division in the town of Montbard in Burgandy.

This victory was short-lived, however, for the Battalion was out of ammunition and fuel. The next day, orders were issued for the crews to destroy their tanks, to prevent them falling into enemy hands, and disband.

The men were ordered to make their way south as best they could.

The temporary disbandment of the Battalion ended its part in the French campaign on the 17th June.

This Link takes you to a Wikapedia page with all the details of the French part of world war II where you can see the full story.

Dads Escape to Great Britain 25th June 1940 

An extract from dads Life Sketch:

"After the capitulation of France I arrived in Great Britain on the 25th June 1940."

The time between the end of the French campaign and dads arrival in Great Britain was from 17th June when France feel and he arrived in Great Britain on the 25th June 1940.

The information I have that after they were ordered to disband the fates of these men including my dad were varied.

• The French people often risked their lives to help.
• Some made it across the German lines and reached French ports, in time to leave on the last ships leaving for England. Some were taken prisoner.
• Some were interned in the Spanish concentration camp of Miranda del Ebro after crossing the Spanish border.
• Others made it to North Africa, where they were interned and forced to work on the construction of the Trans-Sahara Railroad.
• The majority, however, after overcoming many obstacles (lack of money, lack of papers, lack of transportation etc.), in some cases taking years (some made their way through Russia to Japan to the U.S./Canada/South America to England; literally travelling around the world), made it back to their units regrouping in Britain.

Due to the time-frame taken from my dads life sketch 17th June and the 25th June 1940, a total of 8 days, I would say that the likely option would have been that he made it across the German lines and reached French ports, in time to leave on the last ships leaving for England

The escape routes that the majority of Poles took.

"Most escapees were directed to Konstanza, Balic or Efori Romania on the Black Sea then via Syria or Malta and then onto France. Another major route directed escapees to Split in Yugoslavia and then by ship to France. Some were directed to Piraeus in Greece (Lisiewicz, 1949; Zamoyski, 1995). Some solo escapees went by foot through Yugoslavia through northern Italy and into France. The programme of evacuation was reasonably orderly despite the frustrations of the internees and anger at the collapse of Poland. The Yugoslavs, Greek and Italians in particular assisted in the evacuation and the crossing of borders."

Events in Scotland during the War 

Dads first wife Rozalia Wolańska sadly died in April 1940 when dad was in Scotland.

He meet my mum Agnes Martin Knight sometime between 1940 and before embarking on the 9th August 1944 to Normandy.

Their first son Ian was born Ian James on the 7th of November 1941 at Maryfield Hospital Dundee.

He was in the Polish first armoured division from 1939 to 1945 and from 1946 to 1949 he carried out duties for the P.R.C. (Polish Resettlement Corps) as part of the Polish Armed Forces in Belgium and Germany.

Dads Training in Great Britain

An extract from dads Life Sketch:

"I remained in Great Britain with an interval, when as a soldier of the 1st Polish Tank Division I took part in the campaign in France, Belgium and Germany".

The arrival in Great Britain for dad and other Polish soldiers was in stark contrast to their previous arrival in France from Poland. 

• They were welcomed into people’s homes till permanent quarters were arranged, which were an improvement over those in France. 
• The living conditions alone were enough to boost morale. 
• He spent 4 years with duties that included: protecting nearby airfields; guarding Broughty Ferry on the Scottish East Coast; and building anti-invasion obstacles around Dundee. In addition to their military duties, the Battalion assisted the local population with the harvesting of wheat and potatoes. before heading back into Europe.

Where he Trained 

The Polish 1st Armoured Division (Polish 1 Dywizja Pancerna) was an armoured division of the Polish Armed Forces in the West during World War II. Created in February 1942 at Duns in Scotland, it was commanded by Major General Stanisław Maczek and at its peak numbered approximately 18,000 soldiers. The division served in the final phases of the Battle of Normandy in August 1944 during Operation Totalize and the Battle of Chambois and then continued to fight throughout the campaign in Northern Europe, mainly as part of the First Canadian Army. I visited the sites where dad was in Scotland but didn't manage to get to all the places in the other part of the UK. These are the photos of stuff at Blairgowrie in Pertshire, Duns in Berwickshire and Crawford in Lanarkshire

 

On the 23rd Feb at 21.15 1943  dad was ordered to report C/C, Polish Forces, Kincardine. Posting instructions for soldiers and auxiliary on discharge from a convalescent depot, convalescent establishment (A.T.S) , or hospital. 

1941 Drivers License issued 20_11_1941 

Stationed in Scotland, the Polish 1st Armoured Division was formed as part of the Polish I Corps under Wladyslaw Sikorski, which guarded approximately 200 kilometres of British coast in 1940-1941. The commander of the Division, General Stanislaw Maczek, was Poland’s premier mechanized commander, and many of his subordinate officers from the unit he commanded in 1939, the 10th Mechanized Brigade, had made their way to Britain with him. They were organized on the British Armoured Division model, equipped with British uniforms, weapons and tanks. They were initially equipped and trained on Crusader tanks but in late 1943 and early 1944 these were replaced with Sherman tanks and Cromwell tanks. They then participated in war games together with the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division.

This photo was taken in Dunblane, Scotland in Duckburn Park. It was X Infantry and Motorized Cavalry Officer Cadet School Course organized by Infantry Training Centre (CWPiech). In the middle sitting: Col. Walenty Peszek and Col. Edmund Heldut-Tarnasiewicz.

This link to a A wikipedia page covers the places where the Polish First Armoured Division trained and fought

• Normandy France
• Belgium
• Netherlands and on to 
• Germany

This map shows the journey for the 1st Polish Armoured Division

France 1944

Dad embarked for France from Portsmouth and the Regiment disembarked at the artificial Mulberry Harbor near Arromanches in Normandy. On 1 August 1944, the Regiment assembled in France.

The Regiment's first battle on the continent occurred on 8 August 1944 south east of Caen. As part of the 1st Polish Armoured Division, it was ordered to attack the heavily defended German lines at Falaise.

The regiment distinguished itself in the battle for Renemesnil on 9 August 1944. Under heavy mortar fire the regiment reached the outskirts of Cauvicourt, France. The enemy had put up a very heavy fire of mortars, artillery and anti-tank guns. The Regiment took Hill 84 by about 1600hrs, but was stopped on the south slope by very fierce anti-tank defences.
There were a few more battles and some heavy loses for the regiment. 3 officers killed (including the 2 in command) and 10 other ranks; 4 officers wounded and 11 other ranks; 1 officer missing and 7 other ranks.

Belgium and the Netherlands

After the Allied armies broke out from Normandy, the Polish 1st Armoured Division pursued the Germans along the coast of the English Channel. It liberated, among others, the towns of Saint-Omer, Ypres, Oostnieuwkerke, Roeselare, Tielt, Ruislede, and Ghent. During Operation Pheasant a successful outflanking manoeuvre planned and performed by General Maczek allowed the liberation of the city of Breda without any civilian casualties (29 October 1944). The Division spent the winter of 1944-1945 on the south bank of the river Rhine, guarding a sector around Moerdijk, Netherlands. In early 1945, it was transferred to the province of Overijssel and started to push with the Allies along the Dutch-German border, liberating the eastern parts of the provinces of Drenthe and Groningen including the towns of Emmen, Coevorden and Stadskanaal.

Germany

In April 1945, the 1st Armoured entered Germany in the area of Emsland. On 6 May, the Division seized the Kriegsmarine naval base in Wilhelmshaven, where General Maczek accepted the capitulation of the fortress, naval base, East Frisian Fleet and more than 10 infantry divisions. There the Division ended the war and, joined by the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, undertook occupation duties until it was disbanded in 1947; it, together with the many Polish displaced persons in the Western occupied territories, formed a Polish enclave at Haren in Germany, which was for a while known as "Maczków". The majority of its soldiers opted not to return to Poland, which fell under Soviet occupation, preferring instead to remain in exile.[4] Many artefacts and memorabilia belonging to Maczek and the 1st Polish Armoured Division are on display in the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London.

After the War Dad ended up in Quakenbrück Germany 1947.

                                             

The two YouTube clips below describe the operations dad was in fighting his way back into Poland

The Polish 1st Armoured Division was an armoured division of the Polish Armed Forces in the West during World War II. Created in February 1942 at Duns in Scotland, it was commanded by Major General Stanisław Maczek and at its peak numbered approximately 16,000 soldiers. The division served in the final phases of the Battle of Normandy in August 1944 during Operation Totalize and the Battle of Chambois and then continued to fight throughout the campaign in Northern Europe, mainly as part of the First Canadian Army. 

SIK 050 - 1st Polish Armoured Division in Scotland

Sikorski’s Tourists:The Polish Armed Forces in Britain,1939 1945

Polish Armoured Division. (1. Polska Dywizja Pancerna)

Scotland/England after the War

• His final discharge from the P.R.C (Polish Resettlement Corps) was on the 30th Sept 1949
• Just before his release from the P.R.C dad able to work as a textile worker in 1948 with Wolsey Ltd, Broadlane Mills, Bramley and at that time I think mum and dad were living at 4 Ash Grove Pudsey 
• They moved to 4 Back Lane Farsley Aug 1949.
• By the 30th Sept 1949 dad was working at Gaunt Ltd. Broom Mills in Farsley as a textile worker
• On the 20/04/1950 dad was employed by Dalescraft Furniture Ltd, Pudsey I assume as a cabinet maker
• On the 11/05/1957 there was a change of address to Blenheim House New Street Farsley. Blenheim House no longer exists but it was somewhere on New Street Farsley. I was 3 years on June the 30th 1957.
• We left for New Zealand 

After the war ended dad was posted to Europe (Quakenbrück, Germany) as part of the occupation forces as a translator. I am unsure of how long he was in Quakenbrück, Germany ?

Mum and dad remained in Scotland and got married. I am unsure of where they lived in Scotland but would good to know?

Marriage Certificate 1946

• Dad married my mum at Saint Marys Church Lochee on the 31st January 1946 
• He was 36 years old. and mum was 30.
• Dads information on the certificate: Widower
• General Merchant, Cadet Officer Polish Forces
• Address Presently at Quakenbrück, Germany. Now engaged in war services

Mums information on certificate:

• Agnes Martin Knight of Lyons or James, Agnes James,  living at 23 Wellgrove Street, Lochee
• Richard  Lyons (first husband, deceased)
• James Divorced
• Home duties
• Address 23 Wellgrove Street, Lochee
• Ian would have been 4 at the time born in 1942

Signed: Wlaslyslaw Skwarek P/53 Polish Forces B.A.O.R. Witness. Mary Dunne, 3 Watt Street, Dundee.

I think the people in the photo below are from left to right:

• Kazimierz Reisch
• Wladyslaw Skwarek (P/53 Polish forces B.A.O.R) Witness (dads best man at the wedding) - 
• Brother in law Antoni Piskozub (Husband of  Karolina Reisch)
• Jan Piotr Reisch- Ian Reisch- Agnes Martin Reisch ne Knight

Extract of Entry in a Register of marriages for Jan and Agnes

• The first house that the family bought was  7 Ash Grove in Pudsey.
• This was purchased by dad, uncle Tony Piskozub and uncle Kazik Reisch.
• Uncle Tonys family was the first to arrived after escaping.
• Then Uncle Kaziks wife sister in law and mother in law arrived.
• Dad arrived some time later.

Mum and Ian (5 years old) moved down late 1947 after surviving the train crash.

"The Goswick rail crash occurred on 26 October 1947 near the village of Goswick, Northumberland, England. The Flying Scotsman express from Edinburgh Waverley to London King's Cross failed to slow down for a diversion and derailed. Twenty-eight people were killed, including the talented Scottish biochemist, John Masson Gulland.[1] It was the last major accident to occur on British railways before their nationalisation on 1 January 1948"

• In the early stages of living in Pudsey Ian was registered at St Joseph’s Pudsey school. There were instances between Catholics and Protestants which ended in a few after school battles that needed police to break up.

• At some stage there was a break down in relations particularly between us and the Piskozub’s and we moved to 4 Back Lane Farsley.

• It took several years before the family got back together, meanwhile Ian still went to St Joseph’s but discovered that I had Protestant friends in Farsley which was good as he was the only catholic boy in the whole area, altar boy and all.

• During these years Andrew was home born in Farsley on the 28th May 1950 and Edward was born 4 years later on the 30th June 1954 at the maternity home Pudsey on the other side of the valley. 

• On the 11th May 1957 mum and dad changed their address to Blenheim House New Street Farsley. This must have been the shift they made after the break down in relations with family.

• At this time mum and dad were exploring the options of immigrating to United States of America but somewhere or how they decided on New Zealand

Dad and mums family: Agnes Martin zd Knight and Jan Piotr Reisch in the United Kingdom:

• Ian was born Ian James on the 7th of November 1941 at Maryfield Hospital Dundee.
• Andrew Martin Born May the 29th 1950 home born, Farsley  Yorkshire
• Edward Peter Born June the 30th 1954 in maternity home Farsley , Yorkshire

Dads Work in the Britain 1946 - 1957

On the 13th Feb 1948
 dad received the document below for  Registration Certificate at British Institute of Engineering and Technology

1948 1949 

According to this document below which is a 

certificate of registration for dad to be released for employment.  It has information where he lived and where he worked:

• He was in the Polish first armoured division from 1939 to 1945 and from 1946 to 1949 he carried out duties for the P.R.C. (Polish Resettlement Corps) as part of the Polish Armed Forces in Belgium and Germany.
• His final discharge from the P.R.C (Polish Resettlement Corps) was on the 30th Sept 1949
• Just before is release from the P.R.C dad able to work as a textile worker in 1948 with Wolsey Ltd, Broadlane Mills, Bramley and at that time I think mum and dad were living at 4 Ash Grove Pudsey 
• They moved to 4 Back Lane Farsley Aug 1949.
• By the 30th Sept 1949 dad was working at Gaunt Ltd. Broom Mills in Farsley as a textile worker
• On the 20/04/1950 dad was employed by Dalescraft Furniture Ltd, Pudsey I assume as a cabinet maker
• On the 11/05/1957 there was a change of address to Blenheim House New Street Farsley. Blenheim House no longer exists but it was somewhere on New Street Farsley. I was 3 years on June the 30th 1957.
• We left for New Zealand 

 

1950-1957 

Dalescraft Furniture Dads employment 

Mum and Dads Application for the USA

1954 letter request for emigration visas to the USA and a declaration to the American authorities

1954 Testimonial for dad from the Polish White Cross

Move to New Zealand 1957

Standing from the left: Andrzej Piskozub, Jan Reisch, Edziu Piskozub, Antoni Piskozub, Kazimierz Reisch, Zygmunt Reisch, Zdzichu Piskozub, Ian Reisch

Standing in middle second row: Andrew Reisch

Sitting from left: Katarzyna Piskozub, Nessie Reisch with little Edward, Stefania Reisch

Family Photo just before we left the UK to NZ I am assuming 1956-1957

 Dads Travel Document (Passport?) above. Here are some of the interesting points:

• His Description
• Children list has Andrew and Edward with Ian crossed out?
• Valid for all countries except Poland?
• High Commission for New Zealand, London 
• Dad accompanied by Andrew and Edward Reisch
• Good for a single journey to NZ within 12 months dated 22nd May 1957
• Fee: 16 Shillings
• We sailed from sailed from Harwich (England) to Rotterdam dated 12th July 1957
• Transit Rotterdam stamped on 13th July 1957
• Stamped arrival in Wellington 20th August 1957

Mums Travel Document (Passport) below

I am assuming Ian would have his own passport as he was 15 years old and that is why he was crossed out on dads passport.

• In Rotterdam we boarded the passenger Liner called the Sibajak . The Sibajak did a few more trips and was then scrapped in 1959.
• Some of the stories I can sort of remember being told about our trip to NZ.To Complete

We sailed from sailed from Harwich (England) to Rotterdam dated 12th July 1957
Transit Rotterdam stamped on 13th July 1957
Stamped arrival in Wellington New Zealand on the 20th August 1957

Where we lived in New Zealand

When we arrived in Wellington New Zealand on the 20th August of 1957 we lived at a house 4 Picton Avenue, Newtown, Wellington which according to Andrew was a one bedroom flea infested room.  We soon moved to 16 Somerset Avenue, Newtown, Wellington a 2 storey house owned by a guy called Kashik.  I remember sitting on planks of wood on boxes, I think I was only three so not sure.

Mum and dad got a loan from the Catholic Church and purchased 141 Owen Street Newtown where I spent most of my life as a child until I got married in 1976.

The house looks mostly the same with all the renovations dad made. The front is still the same gates and fences dad put in with the shed in the back which was a workshop and an extra bedroom that Andrew moved into and when he left I got to stay there. There is an extra room on top of the house which dad didn't do.

It was a great life for me there:

• Riding trolleys up and down Owen street
• Playing in the pines on the hill at the back of the house.
• Making tree and underground forts 
• Swings off of the pine trees
• wooden sleds to go down through the trees
• Slug guns and shang eyes
• (pronounced shang-eye) We made our own from a single strip of red rubber from car tires or bicycle tubes, with a leather poach and fired marbles from them
• An awesome place to grow up.

Family in New Zealand. 

In 2023 I started to build a family tree showing both Mums and dads ancestors and their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren in MyHeritage.com called Knight family tree

Jan Piotr Reisch and  Agnes Martin Reisch zd Knight             New Zealand Tree

• Children of  Gran and Popa
• Ian Reisch_ Noeline Reisch Zd Hawkins_ Julie Anne Mauldin
• Andrew Martin Reisch_ Angela Reisch_ Kay Meade
• Edward Peter Reisch_ Christine Mary Reisch Zd Parkinson 
• Grandchildren of Gran and Popa
• Phillipa Reisch
• Angela Olsen Zd Reisch_ Neil Olsen
• Daniel John Reisch _Sandra Reisch Zd Malone
• Hayley Patricia Doutch Zd Reisch_ Alex Doutch
• Great Grandchildren of Gran and Popa
• Makenzie Amber Reisch
• Jack Edward Phillip Reisch
• Ruby Amelia Reisch
• Evelyn Alexandra Doutch 
• Miss Ashley Christine Doutch 
• Harvey Alexander Doutch

Dads work in NZ

Dad worked at Display Craft (Kilbirnie), This used to be the building dad worked in, in the 60s/70s. He was a cabinet maker there.

Adelaide Joinery he worked as a joiner at two sites first was in Beramphore on the corner of Adelaide road and Herald street, Wellington and then they moved to Miramar to a new factory, on the corner of Wexford Road and Southampton Road. Dad got me the job with the company as an apprentice joiner. Thanks dad.

Dad worked in the bus shed on Onepu Road, Kilbirnie. He was a maintenance carpenter and I worked with Dad there for a year or so in the 1970s. Thanks dad.

This what it looked like now it is a Pak n Sav

All of Dads Scanned Documents in Date Order

Below are all the documents that dad left. Some are in the story above as well as below. Some are in Polish and I attempted an English translation (not great and need some help to complete).  

I scanned them in 2023 to preserve them for the future. 

Documents dated 1909 to 1939           

    

1909 Karolina Beck Zd Reisch not sure need translation

1910 birth certificate Rozalia Wolanska. I think???

1910 This doc is a declaration that Rozalia Wolanski (dads first Wife), born 1910,  died in April 1940 from Tuberculosis (Polish and English translated docs). Bans of Marriage 1936

1925_1926 dad school report 16 years old from 1925_26 in Polish and translated

1931_1932 school report in Polish and translated

1931 This is the birth certificate of Zdziaław Tadeusz Piskozub. He was born on February 8, 1931, lived in Kołomyja at 250 Legion

1932 Testimony to baptism document signed in 1932

 1936 Dad Bands of marriage to Wolańska Rozalia 1936

1936 Dads wedding ring which I wear today has initial's W.R in the ring so assume that it was when he wed Rozalia Wolanski

1939_45 Campaign Stars, clasps and medals

1939_1945 dad army uniform Polish 1st Armoured Division

1939_1945 Emblem of Polish 1st Armoured Division

Documents dated 1940 to 1945 2nd World War Years

1940 April medical examination card in Polish and English

1940 3rd April French needs translating

1941 Two completed Training Certificate in the 1st Artillery Squadron. 

One from 1941 5th May to the 15th June and on from the 25th Sept to 15th December

1941 20th Nov Drivers License issued

1942 15th June No Idea what this doc is have tried to translate it online?

1942 15th June no idea of date needs translation

1943 23rd February Discharge from convalescent establishment

1943 29th August Commemorative Badge 1.P.A.C. Bombardier Reisch has the right to wear Commemorative 1. Artillery Regiment Heavy.

1945 January 4th Authorisation enter a marriage relationship 1945. Authorisation valid for 6 months.    

1945 20th ???? dad Polish doc. I cant translate would love some help

1945 9th ???Dads demobilisation sheet from Paris/France on the 9th ???? 1945. This doc is in French so not all done

1945 18th August this document is a confirmation from a neighbour of  Rozalia Wolanski that she has died at the request of dads brother Kazimierz Reisch. I am not sure what this was for and why it was required?

1945 1st December, Dad entitled to the Campaign Star and France and Germany Star

1945 27th December dad asking for permission to marry Mum Agnes Knight

Documents dated 1946

1946 4th January Permission to Marry mum from 1st Polish Reinforcement holding unit

1946 5th January  Pre wedding Protocol 1946 mum and dad

1946 21st Jan I think this was for extra vacation time for dads wedding

1946 30th January Marriage certificate mum and dad

1946 6th February Request for extension of leave

1946 19th Feb Extract of an Entry Register of marriages Jan and Agnes kept in the parish of St. Marys Church, Lochee about the when, where and how they were married

1946 19th March not sure need translation

1946 28th March top image soldier paybook bottom images Polish Combatants Assoc

1946 16th October no idea what this is about???

1946 14th DEC Dads demobilisation Attestation Identification to provide proof of his rank by documents. Also his address on this document is Kolomyja 120 ul.Legjonow can anyone confirm this address?

1946 A French card UNC Union Nationale des Combatants' for better treatment of veterans

Documents dated 1947

1947 dad and not sure who else ? I think his sister and her children?

1947 9th January translation needed

1947 22nd February  dad Polish resettlement corps

1947 2nd June  Polish Resettlement Corps

1947 21st Sept no idea need translation

1947 20th Oct Dads Soldiers Service and Pay Book 

1947 30th Oct no idea needs translation

Documents dated 1948

1947 to1957 Aliens Order 1920 Certificate.

This doc is a legal document outlining dads places of work and addresses from 1947 to 1957. One of the examples: Employment:  Textile worker employed at Messrs.Gaunt Ltd, Broom Mills, Farsley 1949, Wolsey Ltd, Broadlane Mills, Bramley, Farsley

1948 12th Jan  leaving PRCorp to employment as  a Textile worker for Messrs W.E.Yates Ltd, Wellington Mills, Bramley, Leeds

1948 12th January Employment permission to work in uk

1948 12th January empty doc application for the release from the Polish Corps 

1948 12th January Application for Final termination of Service Polish Resettlement Corps

1948 13th Feb Registration Certificate at British Institute of Engineering and Technology

1948 13th Feb Guarantee Certificate British Institute Engineering and technology 1948

1948 7th April This document states:

That Julian Kawalerski, son of Stanislaw,  aged 30 and Tadeusz Sokolowski, son of Adolf, aged 36 were employees of dad and testified to dads background that he caried out the trade of cabinet-making and carpentry in his own workshop from 1932 till the outbreak of war in 1939.

This was for the Board of Trade Registration in the UK.

Documents dated 1949

Discharge document not sure of the date??

 no date: Letter from Louis Van Leckwyck Antwerp a war friend. Address: 40 Vremdsche Steenweg, Boechout, (Antwerp). I  assume this was someone he meet after the war when he was posted to Belgium? 

1949 4th July Application for British Citizenship and 

1949 4th July certificate allowing British citizenship Dublin while living at 4 Back Lane, Pudsey, Leeds, England

1949 3rd August a dated Certificate that dad was enlisted in the Polish Resettlement Corp on the 30th October 1949 for a period of 2 years and that his service has been prematurely terminated and that he is discharged on the 30th September 1949.

1949 3rd August discharge certificate effective on the 30th September 1949 date authorised 3rd August 1949

1949 29th Oct No idea

Documents dated 1950-1954

    

1950 23rd Feb dad agreed to accept the British War Medal 1939-1945 instead of the Polish Medal Wojska

Polish Medal Wojska ---  British War Medal 1939-1945

Attribute to the author:

By Medal created and awarded by the British Government in 1945, image created by Col André Kritzinger - Own work (Derivative), Public Domain, 

                                    

No Date:  DECLARATION by dad to the American authorities. He declares he has never been convicted of any crime in Poland or abroad. He declares he does not recognise the present Polish Communist Government and because of this he did not return to Poland. I am assuming 1950s' I think 1954

1954 4th January  letter request for emigration visas to the USA. He encloses personal papers and those of his family. He wishes for emigration visas to the U.S.A and he has already applied for assurance to the U.S.A.

1954 8th Feb Testimonial certificate for dad from the Polish White Cross to go to the American Authorities saying he is a person of good character 

Documents dated 1957

1957 7th January National Union of Furniture Trade  Operatives UK

1957 14th April Polish need translation

1957 22nd May Dads Travel Document (Passport?) above. Here are some of the interesting points:

• His Description
• Children list has Andrew and Edward with Ian crossed out?
• Valid for all countries except Poland?
• High Commission for New Zealand, London 
• Dad accompanied by Andrew and Edward Reisch
• Good for a single journey to NZ within 12 months dated 22nd May 1957
• Fee: 16 Shillings
• We sailed from sailed from Harwich (England) to Rotterdam dated 12th July 1957
• Transit Rotterdam stamped on 13th July 1957
• Stamped arrival in Wellington 20th August 1957

1957 5th July Dalescraft Furniture Dads employment 1950-1957

1957 13th Nov Federated Furniture Union Card

1957 I think dad would have written these two life sketches in 1957 or maybe a latter as he mentions arriving in New Zealand

1957  I think this may have been taken before we left the UK? Mum Dad Ian Andrew Eddie (I would have been 3years old) Ian 15 years old and Andrew 7 or 8 years old?

Documents dated 1958 to 1972

1958 21st May return of  dads Birth Certificate from Dept Labour NZ

1958 21st Nov Purchase of our first house in New Zealand

1964 16th Nov A letter inviting dad to attend a ceremony to obtain his  New Zealand Citizenship Certificate on Tuesday evening on the 1st December 1964. It also invites his sons Andrew and Edward to accompany him to receive their New Zealand Citizenship Certificates. There is no mention of mum or Ian?

1964 3rd Dec  A letter  from the Secretary of Internal Affairs congratulating receiving citizenship for dad and mum. No mention of me Andrew or Ian weird?

1965 10th March A letter from the Dept Justice to surrender Alien Certificate as now dad is a NZ Citizen 

1972 5th March A letter from a friend Tadeusz Sokolowski to the Polish Diplomatic Post in New Zealand to allow dad to re-enter Poland and stay with him as he will provide medical and accommodation for the  90 days he will be there. dad was 62 at the time

1972 26th July. This document states dad was authorising his brother Antoni Reisch presently living at 30 Kosciuszki street Kluczbork to appear in court for him for the acquisition of inheritance from his father and mother. I am not sure but it looks like the sale of a property where they used to live (32 Dzierzynskiego Kluezberk) and Franciszek Tadeusz Reisch was paid out. I need some assistance from family to work the rest out? 

1981 26th June Franciszek Tadeusz Reisch's  death notification of dads brother

1982 19th Feb Dads NZ Passport. Shows one trip to Brisbane Australia from 25th July to the 10th August 1982

Documents All Sorts

The documents below are mostly a mystery for me. Some are random images and I don't really know where they fit and/or couldn't translate them and need help

• Any HEADINGS that are highlighted YELLOW I need help in the translations as the online translation app hasn't helped

Page one and two of a letter to dad no idea and needs translating

Page 22 and 23 of a letter from Edward Piskozub to mum and dad they were here for Andrews and Kays wedding and is on Page 22. Possibly a trip around New Zealand?

Doesn't make a lot of sense to me so may need more translation and have no idea where the rest of the letter is

Polish letter need translation

Two photos of dad not sure of dates or what they were for I assume a passport?

The Polish White Cross was a beacon of hope for Polish soldiers and families, playing a powerful role in addressing their medical, cultural, and social needs. It was an extraordinary example of the patriotic and spiritual commitment of Poles in America to rebuilding the Polish nation in Europe

Xmas card no Idea needs translation

1947 16th October no idea what this is about and why dad would have this letter?

1947 30th Oct no idea needs translation

A letter to dad from a friend Louis Van Leckwyck 40 Vremdsche Steenweg Boechout Antwerp 

1950s Church that dad made in the 1950s in the UK and is put up every year at Xmas. It comes apart and is modelled on Saint Marys' Church in Krakow see below

1397 Saint Marys Church Finished in Cracow

1992 6th Dec letter from Krystyna Zmuda zd. Reisch mum and dads Niece. Her husband was Leszek Żmuda and they lived at Norwida 17a/7, 46-200 Kluczbork, Poland

Her mum and dad are Franciszek Tadeusz Reisch and Maria Moździerz