Poland, Siberia, Italy - the service of Marian Czernik

The contributor's father was Marian Czernik, born 14th September 1921 in Winniki, Lw�w, Poland now Lviv, Ukraine.

With 1.7 million other Poles he was forcibly deported by Russia to Siberian labour camps (Gulags) in 1940/1941 (aged about 20 years). Many of them died due to the terrible conditions, hard labour with meagre food.

The Sikorski-Maisky agreement (Poland - Soviet Russia) granted "amnesty" to many Polish citizens although hundreds of thousands of Poles had already perished in gulags. At this point, the surviving adults (including Marian) were released to join the Polish Armed Forces, allied with the British (because the Russians were now Allies with the British). Marian told his daughter that after leaving Siberian labour camps he weighed six stone. He mentioned that he never saw again his parents or family after being deported to Siberia. He didn't know what happened to them afterwards. No contact thereafter.

Marian enlisted on 15th March 1942 and was posted to #10 Infantry Division Field Ambulance Battalion as an ambulance driver and medic.

During the Italian Campaign, Marian took part in the Battle of Monte Cassino (24th April 1944-31st May 1944) considered one of the hardest battles of the Second World War.

After the war's conclusion, Marian enlisted in the Polish Resettlement Core on 24th October 1946 in the UK as Poles couldn't return to their country for fear of being killed by the Russians. This was a pool of armed forces within resettlement camps. He was discharged on 31st May 1948. Here, he worked as an agricultural labourer.

Marian settled in the UK, became a coal miner (like many young Poles) as the UK needed industrial labour. He did this job for 35 years.

Marian's medals include the Cross of Monte Cassino, the Siberian Cross, and the Cross for Valour (Poland). The contributor's daughter is researching why Marian won this. The Siberian Cross was posthumously awarded and presented by the Polish Consulate (given to Marian's daughter in May 2015) to commemorate the suffering endured by the Poles deported by the Soviet Union.

Marian met his English wife in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. He passed away 10th November 2009.

Transcript of excerpts from letter from MOD APC POLISH ENQUIRIES 9 June 2004:
The military service of 30033977 PRIVATE Marian CZERNIK
Born on: 14 September 1921 at Winniki, Lw�w, Poland
Parents: Stefan and Julia n�e Stec
Marital Status (while serving): Single
Nationality: Polish
Religion: Roman Catholic
Civilian Occupation (prior to Army Service): Tailor - Apprentice
Service with the Polish Forces under British Command: from 1 April 1942 to 23 October 1946
Service with the Polish Resettlement Corps: Enlisted on 24 October 1946 Commissioned relegated to: Class"W" Reserve on 27 August 1947 Unemployed List finally discharged 31 May 1948 relinquished commission on (honourably discharged)
Conduct: GOOD.

Former Service and History:
Prior to 1939 lived in Winniki, county of Lw�w, Poland - which after the 1939 September campaign in Poland was occupied by the former USSR. Being of Polish nationality he was deported to the former USSR in 1940 (exact date and place(s) of his deportation within the former Soviet Union not recorded).
On the basis of the Sikorski-Maisky (Polish-Soviet) agreement of 30 July 1941 released for the purpose of joining the Polish Armed Forces which were being organised in 1941-1942 on the former Soviet territory. Enlisted on 15.03.1942 and was posted to No.10 Infantry Division, Field Ambulance Battalion.
Together with the Polish Army units crossed the Soviet-Iranian frontier, was evacuated to Iran, thereby came under British command with effect from 01.04.1942. Via Iraq was transferred to Palestine.
Arrived on 21.04.1942. Posted to 2 Carpathian Field Ambulance, 3 Carpathian Rifle Division, 2 Polish Corps, 8 British Army.
On 28.12.1942 seconded No 28 British General Hospital.
On 14.02.1943 returned to his unit.
On 01.11.1945 seconded to 3 Carpathian Rifle Battalion.
Returned to his unit (2 Carpathian Field Ambulance, 3 Carpathian Rifle Division, 2 Polish Corps, 8, British Army) on 07.12.1945.
Transferred to Polish General Hospital No.6 on 17.10.1946.

Served in Iran, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt 1942-1943 and Italy 1943-1946 when together with the 2nd Polish Corps was transferred to the United Kingdom.
Due to a gradual demobilisation of the Polish Forces under British command, enlisted in the Polish Resettlement Corps (PRC) on 24.10.1946 - Served in the United Kingdom until finally discharged on 31.05.1948 on absorption into industry.

Theatre of Operations:
Italy 13.12.1943 - 02.05.1945
13.12.1943-23.04.1944 - Action on the rivers: Sangro and Rapido/Southern Apennines.
24.04.1944-31.05.1944 Battle for Monte Cassino/Gustav- Hitler line of enemy defences.
01.06.1944-04.09.1944 Battle for Ancona/Goths line of enemy defences.
05.09.1944-09.10.1944 Rearguard of the 8th British Army.
10.10.1944-01.01.1945 Action in the Northern Apennines.
02.01.1945-08.04.1945 Action on the river Senio.
09.04.1945-02.05.1945 Battle for Bologna/Lombardy Plain.

Medal Entitlement:
Polish: Cross for Valour, Cross of Monte Cassino Cert. No. 3444, Army Medal
British: 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-45.