Czeslaw Stanilewicz
| First name | Czeslaw |
|---|---|
| Last name | Stanilewicz |
| Country of Origin | Poland |
| Date of Birth | 23.10.17 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1948 |
| Submitted by | Barbara Stanilewicz |
Story
Taken as an army cadet as prisoner-of-war to the Arctic Circle by the Russians in October 39. Released by Russians in 1941. However with many other Polish prisoners they were required to fight for Russia which was being threatened by German army, but escaped through E. Russia to then Persia and greeted there by British Army and were taken to Palestine. He being a former army cadet was trained and outfitted there and fought through Italian campaign in the Polish Corps under British Command 1944-45. Was part of the Polish group that won the Battle of Monte Cassino. Repatriated to Britain – 1946 where remained in an army camp as not wanting to return to Poland because of Stalin’s take-over of his country.
The British Government promised all the Poles that they would re-settle them in any country of their desire. In 1948 Australia’s Immigration Policy was under way and a former troop ship, awaiting conversion to tourist class was delayed for its acceptance in a British ship-yard. The ship was offered to the Australian government for about 3 months as a migrant ship and the Poles were notified in their camp that if they would like to migrate to Australia, the ship would be leaving in a few days’ time. Searching a map to find Australia, many decided it was far away from Europe and decided to take up the option. My husband arrived here in August 1948 – speaking very little English and was accommodated for a short time at Bathurst Migrant Camp. Representatives from the then Department of Works in Canberra travelled there and interviewed the migrants asking for workers to come here. Many decided that the capital of Australia would probably be a great place to work.
They were transported by train here arriving on a freezing cold morning at the Canberra Railway Station in the middle of August, wondering how this could possibly be the capital of Australia. My husband worked for 2 years in the Electricity section and then applied to work in the Commonwealth Public Service. He was appointed to Department of Immigration and worked there for 35 years starting as a Draftsman and finishing as their Chief Statistical Officer. He always remained in Canberra and loved this city and this country. We met and married in 1957 and we had 3 children. Sadly he passed away in 2003 but I have written the story of his life for his chidren and decendants. The family and I would be delighted if his name coould be part of the Immigration Bridge here in Canberra.