AN EXHIBITION telling the fascinating story of a Polish-born World War Two soldier and blacksmith who settled in the area has launched.
The Smithy Heritage Centre, on Kiln Lane, Eccleston, has opened its exhibition for this year.
The displays tell the story of Stefan Skura, a Polish blacksmith and soldier who eventually settled in Prescot and St Helens.
About Stefan Skura
Stefan Skura [b. 11 March 1911 - d. April 1991] was a Polish National who came to Britain in 1947 as a private in the Polish Resettlement Corps (P.R.C.) [service number 30055420].
Stefan was a blacksmith by trade, having served his apprenticeship in Łuck, Poland, where he qualified as a journeyman blacksmith after passing the journeyman's exam in the blacksmith's craft, Certificate No. 166/39 at the Chamber of Crafts in Łuck on January 27, 1939.
The P.R.C. was created by the British government as a holding unit for Polish armed forces who, having served alongside British forces during World War II, did not wish to return to Poland.
On discharge from the army unit, Stefan, like other former soldiers, had to readjust to civilian life. They were placed on the Unemployed list or on the Class ‘W’ Army Reserve. This identified them as eligible for employment. Grants for civilian clothing and a rail warrant were also given, and these could be withdrawn along with wage reductions and paid leave entitlement if the individual did not meet the requirements of discharge.
Personnel had to report to their local police station to apply for a civilian ID card and coupon book for food and clothes. Any subsequent changes of address had to be reported to the police. Stefan was discharged into civilian life on February 2, 1948. His address at the time was given as Knowsley Park Camp, Prescot and he went on to live at various addresses in both Prescot and St Helens. He was employed at the British Insulated Calendars Cable factory (BICC) in Prescot.
He married Betty Howard on April 1, 1953 in St Helens and passed away in 1991.
What does the exhibition feature?
The Stefan Skura Collection on show includes a bundle of booklets, such as a national registration identity card and papers, savings books and soldier's service and pay book, photographs and cards and official documentation concerning alien registration, enlistment and discharge from the Polish Resettlement Corps, S.S.A.F.A., and local authority housing points documents. Many of the items in the collection are written in Polish and have been translated by Volunteers from Merseyside Polonia, to whom we extend our grateful thanks
There are objects on loan from Peter Tipping and John Paul ll Polish Saturday School in Liverpool.
One of the displays was done by some of the children from the school - the story of Wojtek the bear, who became enlisted officially as a private in the Polish II Corps.
When can you see the exhibits?
The Smithy Heritage Centre is now open for the 2023 season, every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm-4pm until Sunday, September 17.
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