Polish Community
After the Second World War, the Polish government and army could not return to their homeland, despite political pressure, because their country had been partly given to Russia and was being run by Stalin's communists.
Polish troops and their families liberated by the Allies, came to the UK to start a new life.
They lived in many camps, joined the Polish Resettlement Corps, attended English language courses and undertook various job training. At the same time, they worked on clearing many army training ranges and on local farms. Some were invited to emigrate to New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, USA and other sympathetic countries.
In England, all were directed by the Labour Exchange to work in the mines, on the railways, on building sites, in agriculture and later in factories. In general they proved to be good, skilful workers and the families formed small communities within the parishes.
Second generation Poles became educated and secured professional positions. Letchworth has a large Polish Catholic community with a regular Sunday Mass in the church of St Hugh in their own chapel of St Mary of Czestochowa.
A Polish over sixties club also is held in Letchworth of ex-servicemen and women, their families and widows. The present chairman is Mr A Tutak. Meetings take place every Friday at 1pm and the group arranges trips to Polish gatherings and the Polish theatre in London.
Information provided by Mr A Tutak.
