The people of Johnastone’s kindess in times of war is remembered

Mar 9 2010 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

THE proud son of a Polish war hero has embarked on a mission to get in touch with a Johnstone family who befriended his brave dad.

During the darkest days of the Second World War, hundreds of courageous servicemen and women from enemy-occupied Poland were billeted in the town.

They were then shipped and flown back into battle against Hitler’s Nazis, who’d invaded their homeland and blitzed their cities.

Among the Johnstone-based Polish patriots preparing to liberate their homeland was Sergeant Antoni Parchanowicz, who was part of a contingent serving under British command.

Aware they’d be fighting in some of the bloodiest battles of the war in military hell-holes like Belgium, France, Holland and Germany, the Poles realised many of them wouldn’t survive to see the re-conquest of their nation.

But before setting out to fight or die, many of the exiled Poles – who were accommodated at a hutted encampment in the grounds of Johnstone Castle – formed lasting friendships with the townspeople who welcomed them with open arms and took them into their hearts.

Sergeant Parchanowicz’s adopted family were Peter McGuire and his wife who lived at 34 Graham Street, near the town centre.

Mr and Mrs McGuire’s family invited their Polish guest to meals in their home and introduced him to local cafés, pubs and fish and chippies to give him a taste of everyday life in Johnstone before he returned to the grim theatre of war.

Thankfully, Antoni survived the grim conflict. After the ceasefire, he continued to correspond with the McGuires and years later returned to Johnstone to visit them and reminisce about old times.

In 1968, he brought his son Dominic to show him the town where he enjoyed such kindness and hospitality during the bleak days of war.

“I was proud to share my father’s happy memories of his time in Johnstone when we visited Mr and Mrs McGuire,” explained Dominic, who now lives in France.

“I have happy memories of my visit to the town more than 40 years ago.

“Now I would love to get back in touch with any of the McGuire family so I can renew my friendship with the wonderful people who made my father so welcome while he was in Johnstone. It would be great to meet up with them.”

l Members of the McGuire family, or anyone who knows where they can be contacted, is invited to get in touch with Adam Lynch, curator of Johnstone History Museum, in Morrisons supermarket, Napier Street.

The museum is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10.30am and 4pm. Alternatively, ring Mr Lynch on 01505 324255 and he will pass on the details to Mr Parchanowicz.