In response to your message I write to inform you that my father too was a member of the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade and would have been in the same camps as your father. My fathers name was JOZEF NESSEL born 29/9/1911. His background is as follows: He came from the Lowow area of Poland and as a young man did his National Service in the army in Poland. He was a corpral at this time.
Things are lacking a bit in detail next as he didn't talk much about this next part in his life, however prior to his death I did accertain that one night the Russians came and he was arrested and taken away in a cattle truck to the train station where he boarded a train and was taken to a Siberian prison camp. It's unclear why but we believe that he was a partizan working for the Home Army.
When Russia joined with the Allies he went with the Polish forces to North Africa where he found himself in the Air Force. From there he sailed to the UK on the ship Ile de France arriving at liverpool. This was about 1940.
From there he travelled to Scotland and arrived at a camp in Fife at Auchtertool. The Brigade was bing formed at this time and he opted to join.
He was first stationed at Pittenweem in North East Fife and the Elie whist working at Largo House as well where he like your father did parachute training before going to Ringway in Manchester for actual jump training.
He also served in the north of Scotland in such places as Inverary, Petercoulter, Fort George and Marycoulter.
Whilst with the brigade in Scotland he was promoted to sergeant and became a parachute instructor.
My father didn't go to Arnhem again we are unsure what happened but think that a senior officer had him placed in custody until the brigade departed as he had threatened to shoot some senior officer !!.
He obviously stayed and settle in Scotland, having spent time in the Polish Resettlement Core, never ever to return home.
The remainder of his family later resettled in the town of Bytom, Katowickie. I hope this is of some use to you.
Obviously anything you can do for me in the way of information would be greatfully received as I now find the need to learn and understand more.
Many thanks
Adrian Nessel
Dalgety Bay, Scotland
Posted on Oct 15, 2000, 1:34 AM from IP address 195.92.194.15