Polish Memorial Service April 2024

On Sunday 21st April a memorial services was held at St. Peter’s Church in Greatstone in honour of Polish Spitfire pilots from 303 Squadron (Polish) RAF. P/O Mieczyslaw Waszkiewicz and P/O Boguslaw Mierzwa who perished at Dungeness on April 16th 1941.

The service was attended by Col. Robert Pawlicki PhD, currently the Deputy Defence, Military, Naval and Air Attaché from the Polish Embassy in London (pictured after the ceremony at the memorial site at Dungeness). Also in attendance at the church service were the Mayor and Mayoress of Lydd, members of the British Legion, together with Mr Jonathan Kellett and Mr Victor Kellett, sons of Wing Commander Ronald Kellett DSO DFC AE then, as a Sqd.Ldr., the first commanding officer of 303 Squadron.

Members of the public also attended and sea Cadets from the local branch were on hand to assist the organisers, David and Cherrie Harris, both of whom dedicate a great deal of time to British Legion affairs.

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About the Author: Mike Golding

Born in Ashford a long time ago I have had a lifelong relationship with Dungeness having spent every year here for a fortnights holiday up to the age of 15. In those good old days there was no electricity and hence no radio, no running water and no adequate sewage solutions. Nothing to do other than enjoy the vast expanse of the Ness and all it offered for the young children of that era. Out after breakfast and back before nightfall. There were lakes to swim in. Same lakes to boat on (well old railway sleepers). A derelict school and long disused railway station in and on which to play. Gun emplacements, underground shelters. Sheer bliss. That all ended at 16 when I joined the RAF, finally purchasing a shack – as indeed it was then – in 1971 for the princely sum of £750.00. Only 15 years prior to that we could not afford the £150.00 asking price for what was then known as ‘Windwhistle’, reported to be one of Queen Victoria’s entourages carriages. Still there today, sold last year (2022) and still awaiting planning permission to re construct, but the original structure still concealed behind painted shiplap. Leaving the mob I travelled, retuning ‘home’ as oft I could, and realistically, only becoming a permanent fixture since 1977. In those days there was a vibrant community here with annual gatherings for the Mayday festival – spit roast and all and open days at the Lifeboat station – with bosuns chairs, zip wires to keep the kids happy. I think Health and Safety put paid to that and other activities, as did the moving away of many locals. The result of which , today there are probably less than 20 families residing here permanently, (I have been told not to use the word ‘shacks’ as now, at £650,000.00 plus they are 'desirable bungalows in a well sought after locale'. So ‘Shacks’ they are! End. P.S A few originals left to rent from £500 per week.