Edward Moczulski, 100 years old July 2025
WW2 Monte Cassino Polish Veteran
By: Zig Misiak, www.canadianauthoreducation.com
He was born in Brest, Poland July 26, 1925. WW2 began on September 1, 1939 when Germany unprovoked brutally attacked Poland. Two weeks later the Soviets, Germanys ally, did the same from the east.
Edward’s family was caught in the Soviet zone of occupation. In 1940 Red Army soldiers appeared at the family’s door looking for Edward’s older brother. The family did not know where he was so they were immediately deported to Siberia. By this time over 1.5 million Poles had already been sent there.
In June 1941 Germany turned on the Soviets (today Russia) invading them. 150,000, mostly men, imprisoned Poles were given an ‘amnesty’ by Stalin and they began to make their way south through Persia and Iraq on their way to Egypt. There they became part of Anders’ Army, trained and equipped by the western Allies.
Edward, only 16, was able to enlist in the 7th anti-tank regiment of the Second Polish Corps. As a signalman in the regiment his job was to keep the lines of communication open. He saw intense action in and around Monte Cassino where he provided valuable support to the frontline troops. After Monte Cassino he fought at Ankona and Bolognia.
When the war ended, Edward went to England for a few years, and in 1949 he chose to immigrate to Canada, where he fell into the rhythms of postwar life, marrying and raising a family.
Edward has been a long time member of Branch #4 Polish Combatants' of Brantford that was established in 1947 primarily by veterans of Monte Cassino. Our special centenarian, Edward, is vibrant and highly active who can still be seen dancing the Polka holding his wife Irena with one hand and a glass of Polish vodka in the other.
When the Polish War Memorial was unveiled in Tom Thumb Park a few years ago Edward could be heard reading the inscribed words: ‘We Fought For Your Freedom and Ours’ as he saluted with tears filling his eyes.
‘For my comrades’, he whispered.
.
