¿ªÔÆÌåÓýJo welcome to group, you have opened the door to the journey of research and there is so much to know and this wonderful group has much knowledge to fill in those gaps.? Even assistance in travel as many members of group have already travelled and can give advice, assistance, ?about going back to visit your parents birthplace. Warmest regards Lenarda, Sydney, Australia ? From: Kresy-Siberia@... [mailto:Kresy-Siberia@...] On Behalf Of Helen Bitner
Sent: Wednesday, 08 May, 2013 1:44 AM To: Kresy-Siberia@... Subject: [www.Kresy-Siberia.org] Introducing new member Jo Loader from Worthing, W. Sussex, England ? ? ? Dear group? Please welcome new member Jo ?who is researching ?her father's history. Jo's father,?Jan Bortnik ?was born on November 3rd 1912 in the ?village of Ochoniany now in Belarus. Jan came from a large farming family but ?he worked on the railway which must have been quite close to where he lived. In late 1939 or early 1940 he was deported ?to Siberia by the Russians and?was kept in solitary confinment for over a year. In 1941 he joined the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 16th Infantry Division of the Polish Army. During his military career he fought at Monte Casino and Jo has medals which her father received. After the war Jan left the Polish Army and was resettled in England, ?got ?married , and lived and worked in London until his death on 3rd Sept 1977. ?Jo says that most of her childhood was spent in Roehampton where Jan attended the Catholic Church. ?Sometimes he went to the Catholic Church in Twickenham which was popular with the Polish community. Jo has joined the group in the hope of getting some help or suggestions ?in filling in the gaps of her father's history, whether it be his life in Poland, or his military career or even his life in England.? Jo is hoping to visit?Ochoniany?in Belarus in the near future and says any help would be greatly appreciated. ? Kind regards Helen Bitner Colchester UK ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? |
