The Reunion

2000

The following account is from my Dad. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the reunion as I was out working in Milan. However, I did watch the video again last year, whilst visiting the Polish family – not a dry eye in the room!

“When the day arrived I (Dave) went to the Airport to meet them, I had learned a greeting in Polish.

But when the moment arrived I was so emotional that I could barely speak, and just about managed to say hello!

I stopped in Newton Longville on the way to Bletchley to show our new family the Church in which Mieczyslaw and Beryl were married, and whilst there made a phone call to warn the reception committee that we were five minutes away!

When we arrived at Mieczyslaw’s home all of the family were outside to greet us, it was a very emotional occasion. Two days later we had the local Newspaper, Television and Radio people at the house to interview and record the occasion, this was done mainly to give the Red Cross publicity for their fantastic achievement in re – uniting three brothers after 62 Years. ”

Article in the Sunday Citizen 16 April 2000
Article in the Sunday Citizen 16 April 2000

Geoffrey Bullock, Training and Message Volunteer, Buckingham British Red Cross said at the time:

“with so many people losing contact with their families all over the world, the tracing and messaging service gives people a lifeline and in successful cases, the knowledge about what has happened to their loved ones.”

We will be forever grateful to Geoffrey Bullock of the Red Cross tracing service, for the fairy tale ending to this story.

2013

Last year I spoke to the Red Cross to find out more about the process and to request a copy of any information they may have on file. Even though our case is closed, I was amazed by the dedication and time given by Mary to help me in any way she could. Geoffrey has sadly passed away but was fondly remembered by his team. I certainly passed on my family’s gratitude.

Henryk, Mieczyslaw & Stanislaw, 13-4-2000
Henryk, Mieczyslaw & Stanislaw, 13 April 2000

One thought on “The Reunion”

Leave a comment

A journey to discover my Polish family past and present