Ceremonies of repatriation for Polish presidents in exile, Władysław Raczkiewicz, August Zaleski, and Stanisław Ostrowski take place in Newark
Ceremonies have taken place in Newark to mark the repatriation of the bodies of the first three Polish presidents in exile.
Władysław Raczkiewicz, August Zaleski, and Stanisław Ostrowski were three of a succession of Polish leaders who led governments in exile when their country was occupied by the Nazis during the second world war and subsequently ruled by the Soviets in the decades that followed.
None lived to see Poland become a free nation in 1989 and were buried in Newark Cemetery until Thursday (November 3) when the bodies of the three men were exhumed from their graves so that they could finally return home.
On Sunday morning Polish and British dignitaries joined with family members at Newark Cemetery to lay wreaths on the former graves of the three presidents under the memorial cross in the Polish War Graves Section.
That afternoon a Catholic farewell service was held at Newark Parish Church attended attended by a delegation of Polish dignitaries including the Polish ambassador Piotr Wilczek, Polish secretaries of state and representatives of Poland’s defence ministry, as well as the families of Polish presidents-in-exile, and the last surviving member of the Polish government-in-exile.
The service was also attended by Newark Town Mayor Laurence Goff, civic dignitaries, a member of the royal family, the Earl of St Andrews, George Windsor, son of the Duke of Kent, and the vice-president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Lieutenant-General Sir Bill Rollo.
A mix of English and Polish, the Catholic service was a spectacle of grace and honour with angelic hymns, call and response prayers and a blessing of the coffins with holy water. The the smell of incense filled the room and the gentle flickering of candles glowed brighter in the dimly lit surroundings.
Polish military personnel played their part with the utmost precision, carefully dressing the coffins and and manoeuvring around the church.
Attended by a congregation of roughly 300 specially invited guests, the feeling of intimacy was only broken by the sight of large television cameras broadcast the proceedings live back to Poland.
The presidents will now make their final journey as they are repatriated from the UK to Poland so that they can be laid to rest in the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw, which houses the remains of some of Poland's greatest historical figures and heroes.
Funeral services will take place on November 12 in the Mausoleum of the Presidents of the Polish Republic in Exile which was specially-created for their return.
A delegation from Newark is to accompany the three Polish presidents back to their homeland for the state funeral.
The delegation will include Newark town clerk Matthew Gleadell who played a key role in the planning of exhumations and the Newark ceremonies. He said: "From my perspective as town clerk I have had quite considerable involvement in the planning of today's events. It has been quite fascinating to see the work that has gone into a and event like this and working internationally.
"It has been quite a journey from the first moment I was made aware of this project, to being stood here today seeing it come to fruition."
"We are looking at a celebration of freedom, the story of the government in exile is one of hope and one born during the war years as a difficult time for both our nations.
"They were there to maintain the continuity of democracy throughout the communist reign and in hope that they would be able to return to a free Poland and they were able to do so.
"So I think it's fitting that we do this at a time when other conflicts are going on in the world, especially with the conflict in Ukraine which borders Poland."
After the service a series of speeches were held in the grand surroundings of the Newark Town Hall ballroom.
Polish ambassador Piotr Wilczek said: "Today brings to an end a long wait for three of the most remarkable figures in Polish history to return home.
"Beginning with the invasion of Nazi Germany in 1939 and throughout more than 40 years of communist rule in Poland, they and their successors faced a difficult but grand task of keeping alive that which is scared to all Poles, sovereignty and constitution. They did so with admirable devotion.
"Today's ceremonies and those taking place in Warsaw are an apt last chapter in their magnificent lives. This chapter will finally see them rest in Poland in a specially created mausoleum in the Polish capital's Temple of Divine Providence, home to the remains of some of the greatest Poles in history.
"I was to extend my very special thanks to Newark for assisting in the process of exhumation and repatriation and the whole process. Thanks to all of you that have assisted, thanks to you Poland is finally seeing some of it's most treasured souls come home."
During the speeches the Mayor of Newark, Laurence Goff received one of Poland's top military honours on behalf of the town in recognition of the part that Newark has played as custodian of the presidents' remains and as the last resting place of more than 400 Polish servicemen in what is the largest Polish war graves plot in the UK.
On receiving the honour, the mayor said: "It was very emotional and enjoyable experience. It has been the highlight of my mayorship to have held this ceremony and to represent Newark in these historical events.
"I didn't know much about Poland or the Polish community before I came to Newark, but in the times I have been here I have learnt so much about this great nation.
"It has been six long months to organise this and I hope that it solidifies our friendship with the Poles forever."
Mr Goff will lead a delegation from Newark to Warsaw to be honoured guests at the state funerals this weekend.
Such was the historical weight of the occasion, the commemorations were attended by royalty with the Earl of St.Andrews, George Windsor, son of the Duke of Kent.
The Earl said: "It was magnificently done. It was very moving and I was delighted to have been a part of something that means so much to the Poles of this country and in Poland.
"The role of Presidents in exile was hugely important in maintaining the hope of a free and democratic Poland.
"I hope that this will reinforce the bond of friendship and solidarity between our two countries and act as a reminder to people of how close we have been and are today in the challenges we face as allies.
"I can see that it is also a poignant day for Newark as well as it been the final resting place of these distinguished figures for so long. They may be leaving Newark but it is to go back home, so it is a happy day as well."
The evening was ended with a performance by a relative of one of the polish presidents, Daniel Ostrowski, who performed a song dedicated to a free Poland and refugees the world over.
