Wanda (Jabłońska) Gillon - Amnesty and leaving the camp
Wanda describes how the families grouped their valuables in order to pay for transportation to the southern USSR.
Wanda (Jabłońska) Gillon - Cooking and food provisions
Wanda describes the stove in the center of the barrack that was used for cooking, and the rotten vegetables they would be given.
Stefan Slawek - School and life in Kresy
Stefan describes how the schools were set up in his area. He also discusses home life and how his father provided a good life for them.
Kazimierz Karwowski - Life in Africa
Kazimierz explains how communication between the soldiers and their families was a priority, and describes life for them in Africa.
Kazimierz Karwowski - Surviving and thriving
Kazimierz states that they always believed they would survive and leave the USSR. They survived and went on to lead productive lives.
Kazimierz Karwowski - Describes WC and bath house
Kazimierz describes the amenities in the camp.
Henryka (Zalewska) Żukowska - Brother killed in Warsaw
Describing how her brother was killed in Warsaw.
Henryka (Zalewska) Żukowska - Sister taken from the hospital
Describes the conditions on the train and how her sister’s condition worsened and she was taken from the train to a hospital.
Henryka (Zalewska) Żukowska - Russian told them to take all
Henryka describes how a Russian soldier helped the family by telling them to bring as many things as possible. This helped them survive by having items to barter for food.
Stanisław Lasek - Brother and sister die on the trip south
Stan describes how his brother Wojciech died on the train and his body was thrown onto a cart – the family have no idea where he was buried. The next …
Stanisław Lasek - Going south was a mistake
Stan explains how his father’s decision to take the family south was a mistake. In the north, they had access to mushrooms and berries in the forest that helped them …
Stanisław Lasek - Home Schooling at the Camp
Stan explains how only the children of the camp staff were sent to school. Consequently, the women got together and started a home schooling program for the Polish children. They …
Barbara (Wojcik) Wierzbicka - Father and 5 uncles in AK
Barbara describes how her father was part of the Home Army, along with 5 of her mother’s brothers. Her 5 uncles were all shot on the same day by the …
Barbara (Wojcik) Wierzbicka - Not allowed to mention Siberia
Barbara describes how, when she grew up in post-war Poland, she could never mention that she had been deported to Siberia. School authorities would always make certain that she revised …
Barbara (Wojcik) Wierzbicka - Child stolen by Russian lady
Barbara describes an event during her time in Siberia, when a Russian lady kidnapped her and kept her hidden for 2 weeks, while the whole camp looked for her.
Józek Jagiełło - Describes his fathers possessions that he received
Jozef lists the items that were among his father’s possessions, including a letter that his father had written to him but never got the chance to send.
Józek Jagiełło - Learning about his father possessions
Jozef contacts the Ministry of Defence in the UK and learns that they have his father’s possessions and that they will send them to him via Diplomatic post. Jozef is …
Józek Jagiełło - Leaving Havera to farm
Jozef describes how incredibly lonely he was when he ended up alone on the farm, away from all his mates. Having a bike helped a bit because it allowed him …
Józek Jagiełło - Going to Kiwi school
Jozef describes how difficult it was for him to leave the camp school and go to a native school in the area.
Józek Jagiełło - Banished from being an altar boy
Jozef describes being caught drinking the wine and being banned from being an altar boy as a result.
Józek Jagiełło - Boys make wine at Pahiatua
Jozef describes how he and his friends took to making wine from the berries that grew in abundance around the camp. The enterprise was not very successful.
Józek Jagiełło - Arriving at Pahiatua
Jozef describes their arrival at the camp in Pahiatua and how upset the adults were because it was surrounded by a barbwire fence. The camp had been a POW camp …
Józek Jagiełło - Disembarking in Wellington
Jozef describes the scene when they arrived in Wellington and got off the ship. They were amazed at the number of people who came to greet them.
Józek Jagiełło - Endless Food
Jozef describes the crossing to New Zealand and how food was available to them around the clock. They were thrilled to take advantage of every morsel they could get.