Newark mayor and town clerk visit Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London
Newark dignitaries visited the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London.
In July 1943, the Polish prime minister and commander of the army, General Władysław Sikorski was buried in Newark Cemetery.
General Sikorski, considered both a hero of Poland and of Britain was repatriated to Poland in 1993.
His body was re-buried in St Leonard’s Crypt in Krakow, Poland.
Newark Town Mayor Laurence Goff and Clerk Matthew Gleadell visited the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London to learn more about the country that Newark has such a strong association with and the man that helped cement it.
The museum is the largest archive and museum in Western Europe outside Poland that is focused on Polish history, and mainly deals in the 20th century.
With a vast connection between Newark and the Polish, the town’s dignitaries were guided around the museum by the volunteer Michal Sal, who talked them through the artefacts.
Facts about Polish history and military forces during the second world war were unveiled throughout the different floors of the building.
“I was looking forward to going to the Sikorski museum in London,” said Mr Goff.
“It was a great honour to be able to go on a special occasion and its history is extremely important for people who live in London and to those who come to visit.
“It's very important that we remember his legacy and contributions to help us in a life of freedom.
“I just felt it was very good to see all the artefacts and learn way more about Polish history and General Sikorski.”
Michal Sal, Laurence Goff and Matthew Gleadell in front of the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London (61358679)
Newark has the largest war graves plot for Poles in Britain and annual commemorations such as Airbridge and All Souls’ Day take place there.
Matthew Gleadell said: “The Sikorski museum is a bigger example of something physical that serves as a tribute to someone that gave so much to the war effort on behalf of Poland.
“Sikorski was an important figure in Polish history and there is no bigger evidence of that than his statue standing proudly outside the Polish Embassy in central London.
“For Newark it is a real honour that we were able to provide a resting place to him in Newark cemetery until his repatriation to Poland in 1993 and demonstrates the significance that Newark has as part of the story of someone that had such a heavy influence not just on Poland’s history but on international history.”
Matthew Gleadell and Laurence Goff with a Polish family who was visiting the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum in London (61358340)
A statue of General Sikorski will be erected in Newark Cemetery next year during the summer months.
The statue will be created by sculptor Andrew Lilley.
