A tribute to Antek Blicharski

Pan Antek Blicharski a clever and quiet man

Pan Blicharski one of the few people we always called by his first name Antek, unusually by Polish standards.

Antek was a long time friend of my fathers maybe even the same regiment but definitely in at least same Polish resettlement camps as my father, there are photos of them together from the 1940's.

Sadly I don't remember much of his early history other than he was very active in the Polish Ex Combatants Association of Great Britain. I remember he used to fly out to places like Holland, where they used to mark the anniversaries of various battles particularly Polish troops.

A well read man, very clever. If we needed some help with paperwork or any confusing legislation he would normally be able to help and advise. I sometimes wondered if he was a solicitor? I think he worked at Remploy also and was disabled due to his war injuries.

I remember him being quite a fast talking, quite anxious person, maybe that was due to the war but he always seemed to be in a hurry, but put a bottle of Scotch down on the table and that was it, the old army tales came out and him and my dad would talk for hours.

He was a very nice gentlemen very polite and witness to my parents wedding. This generation were all the same very nice quiet people, they had gone through hell, anything after that was acceptable but I think it must have been hard for them to adapt, especially being alone with no family or partners to live with.

He had this large quiff of hair as seen in the photos and always smartly dressed.

On my birthdays he used to buy me interesting books to help me learn, about science, how things work which helped me develop into who I am today. I have always been fascinated how things are made and work, I do it in my job.

I think he passed away in the early 2000's but I don't know much more.

Thank you Antek for being there when my parents needed you and for helping me learn.