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Tadeusz Sroka Collection

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Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. This map shows the location of the sinking of ORP Orkan on 8th October 1943. Source Richard Sroka from Michael Peszke book.
Map of ORP Orkan sinking
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. This map shows the location of the sinking of ORP Orkan on 8th October 1943. Source Richard Sroka from Michael Peszke book.
Polish navy

  • Polish Forces in the West (1940-45)

Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. This photograph was taken in Gdynia. After the war Tadek was a prominent member of the Polish commuinity in Plymouth. He was also associated with the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex-Services Association; the 10th Destroyer Flotilla Association; the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel and the Anglo-Polish Krakowia Cultural Society.
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy veteran
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. This photograph was taken in Gdynia. After the war Tadek was a prominent member of the Polish commuinity in Plymouth. He was also associated with the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex-Services Association; the 10th Destroyer Flotilla Association; the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel and the Anglo-Polish Krakowia Cultural Society.
Polish navy


Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. He is on the right. Unknown Polish Navy sailor on the left.
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. He is on the right. Unknown Polish Navy sailor on the left.
Polish navy

  • Polish Forces in the West (1940-45)

Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan.
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan.
Polish navy

  • Polish Forces in the West (1940-45)

Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. This photograph was taken in Gdynia. After the war Tadek was a prominent member of the Polish commuinity in Plymouth. He was also associated with the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex-Services Association; the 10th Destroyer Flotilla Association; the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel and the Anglo-Polish Krakowia Cultural Society.
Tadeusz Sroka salutes in Gdynia
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. This photograph was taken in Gdynia. After the war Tadek was a prominent member of the Polish commuinity in Plymouth. He was also associated with the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex-Services Association; the 10th Destroyer Flotilla Association; the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel and the Anglo-Polish Krakowia Cultural Society.
Polish navy


Tadeusz Sroka was serving on board destroyer ORP Grom, in the Polish Navy, when she was hit by a German bomb in the Narvik Campaign on 4th May 1940. The ship exploded and sank within minutes, with the loss of 59 lives. Tadek survived and was probably the last man to leave the ship. He was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour for heroism.
Tadeusz Sroka receives Cross of Valour
Tadeusz Sroka was serving on board destroyer ORP Grom, in the Polish Navy, when she was hit by a German bomb in the Narvik Campaign on 4th May 1940. The ship exploded and sank within minutes, with the loss of 59 lives. Tadek survived and was probably the last man to leave the ship. He was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour for heroism.
Polish navy

  • Polish Forces in the West (1940-45)

Polish Navy Medal for War 1939-1945 (Medal Morski za Wojne 1939-1945) Instituted on July 3, 1945 by decree of President of the Republic in Exile in London. Conferred in a single grade on all members of the Navy, irrespective their rank, for at least 6 months of meritorious service on a ship engaged in military operations against an enemy, or a year service on another ship. The medal could be conferred up to four times; for a subsequent award the period of service was doubled. Badge: silver medal 36 mm of diameter. Obverse: an armored hand - the symbol of the Polish Navy in a laurel wreath.Reverse: the inscription POLSKA / SWEMU / OBRONCY (Poland to Her defender) and a small oak leaf above and below. Ribbon: 37 mm navy blue with narrow white side stripes. Each subsequent award is denoted by a silver bar with oak leaves attached to the ribbon.
Tadeusz Sroka Polish Navy Medal for War
Polish Navy Medal for War 1939-1945 (Medal Morski za Wojne 1939-1945) Instituted on July 3, 1945 by decree of President of the Republic in Exile in London. Conferred in a single grade on all members of the Navy, irrespective their rank, for at least 6 months of meritorious service on a ship engaged in military operations against an enemy, or a year service on another ship. The medal could be conferred up to four times; for a subsequent award the period of service was doubled. Badge: silver medal 36 mm of diameter. Obverse: an armored hand - the symbol of the Polish Navy in a laurel wreath.Reverse: the inscription POLSKA / SWEMU / OBRONCY (Poland to Her defender) and a small oak leaf above and below. Ribbon: 37 mm navy blue with narrow white side stripes. Each subsequent award is denoted by a silver bar with oak leaves attached to the ribbon.
Polish navy


Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy medal: R.P. 1939 1-17th September WRZESIEN: Cross of September Campaign 1939 (Krzyz Kampanii Wrzesniowej 1939) Instituted: by decree of President of the Republic in Exile of September 1, 1984, to commemorate the struggle against nazi Germany and soviet Russia in September and October of 1939. Conferred on soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces and other people who took part in the fight or who aided them. Badge: silver Greek cross 39 x 39 mm. Obverse: a crowned eagle sitting on the Amazon shield, surrounded by a laurel spray with a semicircular inscription WRZESIEN (September) and the year 1939 below. On the left arm there is a date 1.IX (beginning of the German aggression), on the right - 17.IX (beginning of the Russian aggression) and the letters RP on the lower one. Reverse: plain with the place for a recipient's name. Ribbon: 38 mm, white with a broad red stripe in the center, flanked by red pinstripes, and with narrow red edges.
Tadeusz Sroka Polish Medal September 1939 campaign
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy medal: R.P. 1939 1-17th September WRZESIEN: Cross of September Campaign 1939 (Krzyz Kampanii Wrzesniowej 1939) Instituted: by decree of President of the Republic in Exile of September 1, 1984, to commemorate the struggle against nazi Germany and soviet Russia in September and October of 1939. Conferred on soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces and other people who took part in the fight or who aided them. Badge: silver Greek cross 39 x 39 mm. Obverse: a crowned eagle sitting on the Amazon shield, surrounded by a laurel spray with a semicircular inscription WRZESIEN (September) and the year 1939 below. On the left arm there is a date 1.IX (beginning of the German aggression), on the right - 17.IX (beginning of the Russian aggression) and the letters RP on the lower one. Reverse: plain with the place for a recipient's name. Ribbon: 38 mm, white with a broad red stripe in the center, flanked by red pinstripes, and with narrow red edges.
Polish navy


Tadeusz Sroka received the Polish Cross of Valour for heroism during the sinking of ORP Grom on 4th May 1940 during the Narvik Campaign. The Cross of Valor (Polish: Krzyż Walecznych) is a Polish military decoration. It was first introduced by the Council of National Defense on 11 August 1920. It is awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the field of battle." It may be awarded to the same person up to four times. The medal is given only in wartime or shortly after.
Tadeusz Sroka Polish Cross of Valour
Tadeusz Sroka received the Polish Cross of Valour for heroism during the sinking of ORP Grom on 4th May 1940 during the Narvik Campaign. The Cross of Valor (Polish: Krzyż Walecznych) is a Polish military decoration. It was first introduced by the Council of National Defense on 11 August 1920. It is awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valor and courage on the field of battle." It may be awarded to the same person up to four times. The medal is given only in wartime or shortly after.
Polish navy

  • Polish Forces in the West (1940-45)

Tadeusz Sroka received the G.B. Atlantic Star. He served in the Polish Navy during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Tadeusz Sroka Medal
Tadeusz Sroka received the G.B. Atlantic Star. He served in the Polish Navy during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Polish navy

  • Polish Forces in the West (1940-45)

Tadeusz Sroka received the G.B. 1939-1945 War Star. He served in the Polish Navy.
Tadeusz Sroka Medal
Tadeusz Sroka received the G.B. 1939-1945 War Star. He served in the Polish Navy.
Polish navy

  • Polish Forces in the West (1940-45)

Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. This photograph was taken in Gdynia. After the war Tadek was a prominent member of the Polish commuinity in Plymouth. He was also associated with the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex-Services Association; the 10th Destroyer Flotilla Association; the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel and the Anglo-Polish Krakowia Cultural Society.
Tadeusz Sroka in Gydnia
Tadeusz Sroka, Polish Navy. He survived the sinking of both ORP Grom and ORP Orkan. This photograph was taken in Gdynia. After the war Tadek was a prominent member of the Polish commuinity in Plymouth. He was also associated with the Federation of Plymouth and District Ex-Services Association; the 10th Destroyer Flotilla Association; the Plymouth-Gdynia Twinning Panel and the Anglo-Polish Krakowia Cultural Society.
Polish navy

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