Jerzy Pajaczkowski-Dydynski
Encyclopedia
Jerzy Casimir Pajaczkowski-Dydynski (Lwów, Austro-Hungary, (now Lviv
, Ukraine
), July 19, 1894 - Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands
, England
, December 6, 2005) was thought to be the UK
's oldest man at the time of his death at the age of 111
and one of the last surviving veteran
s of the First World War
living in the UK. The army veteran died at a nursing home in Cumbria
. In 1915, Jerzy was conscripted into the Austro-Hungarian
army. He later fought for Poland
. Pajaczkowski-Dydynski, a former colonel
, escaped from the German
invasion in 1940, and worked as a gardener in Scotland
before moving to Cumbria.
n province of Galicia. Although technically part of Austria-Hungary, the Galician Polish enjoyed a "degree of autonomy in local government". Pajaczkowski-Dydynski began studies in law
at Lemberg University in 1912, transferring to the University of Vienna
two years later.
and Bosnia
. In 1916, he was sent as a sergeant to the Italian
front in Montenegro
and Albania
.
Although allied by treaty with Germany and Austria-Hungary, Italy had instead joined the war on the side of the Allied Powers
in May 1915, in hopes of annexing parts of Austrian territory.
In November 1918, Pajaczkowski was taken prisoner in northern Italy during the last hours of the war. When he was freed at the following Christmas
, he was sent to France
. Like many Galicians taken prisoner after being conscripted into the German Army
, Jerzy volunteered to join the Polish Army Corps in France. This unit, which also contained Polish-American volunteers, had seen action in 1918 in the allied campaign in Alsace-Lorraine
, fostering an acute sense of Polish identity among the troops.
. He became a lieutenant
and staff officer under General Jozef Haller in an infantry
division, and took part in the 1920-1921 Polish War against Soviet Russia
. This was fought between the Red Army
and Poland over Poland's eastern border. Following the Armistice
in October, he was moved to the Polish 2nd Army, and two years later he became a captain.
After marrying Maria Lewandowska in 1924, Jerzy was stationed in Przemyśl
. In 1925, he became a major
, and in 1930, he moved to Warsaw
with his wife and young son.
, Pajaczkowski-Dydynski was a lieutenant-colonel. He was at the headquarters of the Polish Army in Warsaw when, on September 1, 1939 1.8 million German troops invaded Poland. His wife and son fled to Romania
by means of an evacuation train. When surrender seemed inevitable, Jerzy escaped to Bucharest
to collect his family. Along with 30,000 other Polish, he was able to make his way to France through then still-neutral Italy.
When France fell to the Germans, Pajaczkowski-Dydynski left for Britain, arriving in Plymouth
on June 28, 1940. He stayed at military camps in Lanarkshire
and Peebles
before being sent to Perth
, where he took command of a Polish garrison. In 1943, he moved to Edinburgh
, translating and adapting British military regulations and manuals for the use of Polish units.
and most of the Poles expelled. Following the death of his wife Maria that year, he married Dorothy Caterall, and had a daughter.
Pajaczkowski-Dydynski was never able to continue his legal studies in his new residence. Instead he worked as a gardener. He was, however, fluent in Polish
, French
, German
and English
. He also had a passion for music
and was a skilled viola
player.
In 1964, he was promoted to a full colonel.
Pajaczkowski-Dydynski did not return to Poland until 1989, when he was 95.
When he died, he was survived by ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
These are in addition to three Austrian decorations he received in World War I for active service.
Lviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
), July 19, 1894 - Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands
Grange-over-Sands
Grange-over-Sands is a town and civil parish by the sea – with a wide tidal range, hence the "sands" name – in Cumbria, England. Historically, Grange-over-Sands was part of the County of Lancashire until 1974, when Cumbria was created under Local Government re-organisation which absorbed the area...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, December 6, 2005) was thought to be the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's oldest man at the time of his death at the age of 111
Supercentenarian
A supercentenarian is someone who has reached the age of 110 years. This age is achieved by about one in a thousand centenarians....
and one of the last surviving veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s of the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
living in the UK. The army veteran died at a nursing home in Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
. In 1915, Jerzy was conscripted into the Austro-Hungarian
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
army. He later fought for Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Pajaczkowski-Dydynski, a former colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
, escaped from the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
invasion in 1940, and worked as a gardener in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
before moving to Cumbria.
Biography
Pajaczkowski-Dydynski was born in what was at the time known as Lwów (and now known as Lviv in the Ukraine), the capital of what became the AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n province of Galicia. Although technically part of Austria-Hungary, the Galician Polish enjoyed a "degree of autonomy in local government". Pajaczkowski-Dydynski began studies in law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
at Lemberg University in 1912, transferring to the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
two years later.
World War I
On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Galicians were subject to conscription, and Pajaczkowski was called up. His training took place chiefly in HungaryHungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
and Bosnia
Bosnia Province, Ottoman Empire
The Bosnia Vilayet was an Ottoman vilayet, mostly based on the territory of the present-day state of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as most of Slavonia, Lika and Dalmatia in present-day Croatia. It bordered Kosovo Vilayet to the south. Before the administrative reform in 1864, it was called the...
. In 1916, he was sent as a sergeant to the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
front in Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
and Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
.
Although allied by treaty with Germany and Austria-Hungary, Italy had instead joined the war on the side of the Allied Powers
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
in May 1915, in hopes of annexing parts of Austrian territory.
In November 1918, Pajaczkowski was taken prisoner in northern Italy during the last hours of the war. When he was freed at the following Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, he was sent to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Like many Galicians taken prisoner after being conscripted into the German Army
German Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
, Jerzy volunteered to join the Polish Army Corps in France. This unit, which also contained Polish-American volunteers, had seen action in 1918 in the allied campaign in Alsace-Lorraine
Alsace-Lorraine
The Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine was a territory created by the German Empire in 1871 after it annexed most of Alsace and the Moselle region of Lorraine following its victory in the Franco-Prussian War. The Alsatian part lay in the Rhine Valley on the west bank of the Rhine River and east...
, fostering an acute sense of Polish identity among the troops.
The Army of the Republic of Poland
When peace came, Pajaczkowski elected to serve in the army of the newly proclaimed Republic of Poland guaranteed by the signatories to the Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The other Central Powers on the German side of...
. He became a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
and staff officer under General Jozef Haller in an infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
division, and took part in the 1920-1921 Polish War against Soviet Russia
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic , commonly referred to as Soviet Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or simply Russia, was the largest, most populous and economically developed republic in the former Soviet Union....
. This was fought between the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
and Poland over Poland's eastern border. Following the Armistice
Armistice with Germany (Compiègne)
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not technically a surrender...
in October, he was moved to the Polish 2nd Army, and two years later he became a captain.
After marrying Maria Lewandowska in 1924, Jerzy was stationed in Przemyśl
Przemysl
Przemyśl is a city in south-eastern Poland with 66,756 inhabitants, as of June 2009. In 1999, it became part of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship; it was previously the capital of Przemyśl Voivodeship....
. In 1925, he became a major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
, and in 1930, he moved to Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
with his wife and young son.
World War II
At the outbreak of the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Pajaczkowski-Dydynski was a lieutenant-colonel. He was at the headquarters of the Polish Army in Warsaw when, on September 1, 1939 1.8 million German troops invaded Poland. His wife and son fled to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
by means of an evacuation train. When surrender seemed inevitable, Jerzy escaped to Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
to collect his family. Along with 30,000 other Polish, he was able to make his way to France through then still-neutral Italy.
When France fell to the Germans, Pajaczkowski-Dydynski left for Britain, arriving in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
on June 28, 1940. He stayed at military camps in Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
and Peebles
Peebles
Peebles is a burgh in the committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders, lying on the River Tweed. According to the 2001 Census, the population was 8,159.-History:...
before being sent to Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
, where he took command of a Polish garrison. In 1943, he moved to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, translating and adapting British military regulations and manuals for the use of Polish units.
Later life
When the war ended in May 1945, Pajaczkowski-Dydynski made Edinburgh his home, since his birthplace had been annexed by the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and most of the Poles expelled. Following the death of his wife Maria that year, he married Dorothy Caterall, and had a daughter.
Pajaczkowski-Dydynski was never able to continue his legal studies in his new residence. Instead he worked as a gardener. He was, however, fluent in Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. He also had a passion for music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and was a skilled viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
player.
In 1964, he was promoted to a full colonel.
Pajaczkowski-Dydynski did not return to Poland until 1989, when he was 95.
When he died, he was survived by ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Decorations and medals
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2001; previously awarded the Knight's Cross)
- Cross of Valour (1920)
- Silver Cross of Merit (1925)
- A Romanian decoration of distinction (1931)
These are in addition to three Austrian decorations he received in World War I for active service.