At an event held in gastro pub The Bay at Dunbeath a local man was honoured by staff from the Polish Embassy as family and friends gathered together to congratulate him.

Ninety-nine-year-old Richard Polanski was awarded a special promotion from the Polish President Andrzej Duda, given on his behalf by the embassy staff who had travelled from their base in Edinburgh.

Polish defence attaché Colonel Mieczysław Malec handed Richard various awards, picture albums, recordings of traditional Polish music and finally an honorary naval officer's hat. "This is for Richard's sacrifice for the Polish and European freedom that we can enjoy today," said Col Malec. "We know that Richard served on the Piorun ship fighting the Bismarck and we now congratulate him on his promotion to the first officer rank."

As the veteran donned the naval hat, he thought back to his childhood in the city of Lwów and shed a tear: "My mother brought me up to love my country. I wish for peace on Earth forever. When I was fighting the Bismarck I thought it must be a warning that war is not a solution. Thank you very much for recognising me."

Born in Poland in 1921, Richard is one of the last men still alive to see Hitler’s flagship Bismarck in its death throes. Determined to fight for his country’s freedom, he joined the Free Polish Navy as a gunner, helping to evacuate troops from Dunkirk in the spring of 1940 aboard the destroyer ORP Burza.

In May 1941, he was on board the Polish Navy's ORP Piorun N-class destroyer when it located the German battleship Bismarck, and drew its fire. Other units of the Royal Naval task force engaged and sank the mighty ship and, despite hostility to the Germans, Richard still feels a sense of sadness over the immense loss of life that day.

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After the war had ended, Richard set up home in Caithness with his wife Joyce Burns Rosie, whom he had met in Glasgow when stationed there. Joyce unfortunately passed away some years ago but their daughter Janet Ross (nee Polanski) and sons Richard, John and Victor were present at the event along with other family and friends – numbers restricted due to Covid rules.

Janet said: "I feel very proud, overwhelmed and very grateful for this special day. We couldn't be happier...the whole family. It's overwhelming but in the nicest possible way." Richard's daughter went on to talk about how his mother used to sing patriotic Polish songs to him as a child and brought him up to be "very proud of his country".

"After World War Two he was never able to see his father or mother again and given that he was a young man when he left Poland that was very sad." Richard had fled Soviet occupied Poland at the outbreak of WWII and made his way through Nazi controlled Europe and Fascist Italy to get to a safe port in Portugal from where he sailed to Britain. He believed he was on a "black list" and would have faced summary execution or life in a gulag (forced labour camp) if he returned to Poland after the war.

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Janet said that the family had planned this year to take Richard over to his home city of Lwów – now part of the independent nation of Ukraine – but the pandemic has put a temporary halt to the plan. "I would like to see Lwów through his eyes." It is hoped that the trip may be possible after Richard reaches his 100th birthday later this year.

The new owners of The Bay where the event took place, Jon and Michelle Simmonds, revamped the establishment after they took over last year. Jon said: "We're delighted to be hosting this private function for Richard that includes a buffet devised by himself and Janet Ross. We're more of a gastro pub than a restaurant."

Colonel Malec said that on behalf of the Polish president and the people of Poland it was a "truly great honour" to bestow the various awards on Richard. He said: "We need such heroes as Richard and he is a great example for people to follow. It is my privilege and honour to take part in this ceremony today and give the naval promotion on behalf of our president."

Richard added: "I hope that young people will take my example and only fight for freedom and to enjoy life on Earth."

Related article:

Caithness war veteran (98) among those benefiting from free hot meals

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