1945 – 1947 Letters From Far Places
The familiar saying that you never know what’s round the corner, certainly applied to my father’s immediate family. The photographs below taken around 1936 show my grandmother Joanna and my aunt Aldona. In three years time their world would collapse completely.
The following translated letters will paint a picture just how far everything changed and yet you will see that in the midst of all the mayhem of war my grandmother, from a distance still tried to be the dutiful parent
08/11/45
Because there was no name of the place/town In your letter, I’ve got an impression that it travelled a lot before i got it. It came on 05/11. It’s a shame that it came so late. I am sad that I didn’t get any letters from you for a long time but it is you not me who decides when to write and how often. By now i realise that you are an adult although when you left you were a young person – that’s what I think, I always wonder what kind of person you are now.
Do you still remember what I told you, do I still have my influence on you or did you chose another way and all I taught you is not important any more for you? As for whether you were alive or not, I was sure you were alive as i prayed a lot for you. I asked God to save you, so that you be real in this life.
I would like to inform you that Heniek asked me to tell you that deceased Doncia (1942) died as a result of typhus in the afternoon in Tashkent. It seems to me that I am in continuous mourning. When she was dying she said that you would comfort both of us (me and Heniek). Beri survived typhus only to die on the Italian front in 1944. He was such a good person, he supported the family when times were hard and then he left us (died). All the people who were with me at the time of the hardships now left me alone to fight for my lonely life. They all left but I survived, at least I am alive. I am sure I was spared to look after Heniek, to be with him. The things which I suffered – lived through – in Russia I can’t write about them, there will not be enough paper for that. There is only one positive thing – my teaching and examinations in Svderdlovsk (Siberia) and getting the title of the doctor and although I was starving as I gave all my foodstuffs to Doncia, I was respected by everyone and no one can say a bad word about me. After the amnesty I was transported with 450 others to Buzuluka, there I went to the medical centre and the general sent me to Karmine, that is in the north, to work there as a doctor. From that place I moved to Iraq by using a couple of transport means in the Aegean Sea. I had nothing to lose so I was not upset when I had to move to another country. I found my strength in helping the people who needed me. Then I move to Tehran by transport and worked there in the hospital. I was taught how tro deal with the tropical diseases, English terminology, then I move to Ahwasu and worked as a sanitary inspector of Basra. From there I went to Africa on 2nd February and from the beginning it was good despite all the hard work and a new system. I did not wear uniform any move and started to think of things civil. Although I was paid very little I managed to save some money to buy an accordion. I played it at several concerts to raise money for charity. It didn’t last long though, as I got malaria and had to stop working. All my savings were stolen and I was found in difficult situation both financially and healthwise. When Beri was alive he sent me some money but after he died i didn’t get any help.
While I was writing this letter I received a letter from your father who was surprised that I was not working and reprimanded me for that, I think somebody told him that I was doing well, so he didn’t believe me that I was ill. It has been a very hard 6 years and now I don’t have anyone who I can rely upon who could help me. Since I have no one to help me I have started working again. Don’t worry my dear son, God is kind and he will provide me with the strength to work – one day we will meet each other and play bridge – my dear Rysiku – you are the only one who has been left with me – but you know what you mean to me – so take care about yourself, the war is dangerous. You are not a child anymore, so I am not going to tell you more things. You told me that you wanted to be in the army but you cannot hurt yourself or your mum will be very angry, my dear Rysiku; yes it is good to be an officer, it will give you some stability in times of uncertainty. We’ll see what happens! You are young and the whole world is open for you. You should know that for me life is as hard as it is for you. I can rely on you only. As soon as I get the job and your father comes back from his services, you must come to be with us. I don’t know where I’ll be but hope the address will be the same as all the doctors are with the Eng. Department.
I am finishing, my Rysiku – I am waiting for a longer letter from you. Love as always.
Mother.
30/09/46
Dear R
I really don’t know if you care about me at all. You cause me a lot of pain. You should know that, because you know what kind of person I am. When there were any arguments at home I was always on your side protecting you. Even when you had to take the same class again (for the second year), I said it was because of your age. Although friends did matter mote to you than the family, I was always sure that you would grow up and become smarter.
I am saying thank you to God because he saved you but I feel lonely, as if I know I’m alone. Although I don’t know you after you’ve grown up and changed, I still thank God that he saved my only child. Unfortunately God is testing me in this direction – you have been saved but not for me. I am not going to talk about it anymore because if you don’t feel that you are doing something wrong, it is pointless to talk to you about it.
There are 2,000 people here who are in the same position as I am but I cannot look at them when they get help and support from their family – and I – I do not. After a very serious illness I received only one letter from you which was so short. And now it has been four months and there is nothing from you. You told me that you spent £70 – it’s a lot of money – I think you were betting, but you don’t know how to do it and you lost the money.
At the same time when you spent £70 I didn’t even have 7p to buy some paper to write to you. I see it as God’s punishment but I do not know for what or for whose sins. If it was not for Beri – who left me all his money when he died – I would have committed suicide, for without any husband I have no one to care about me. No one needs me.
I write this to you R, not because I want some money from you but because I want you to remember me. I decided that I should go back to Poland and work there. I hope your father will go to Poland too, because they don’t need me anymore.
If you have the time, please tell me what you are going to do or will you think it is not important and you will not write to me at all? I am ending my letter. Please look after yourself, don’t get ill and don’t get involved with women.
I wish you all the best. Take care, be humane and remember us. Greetings from my heart. Don’t know what more to write. As always
Love
19/11/46
My dearest Richard
I think you received my long letter as I was answering your two letters aware of the distance separating us. I tell you that I got £10 in May. What’s next? In your last letter you didn’t say much. I told you that I made up my mind to leave, I hoped to do it in November, but there have been problems with the transport – too crowded. Now the plan is to leave on the 8th of December. I wrote to you that I met some people who trusted me and lent me some money. I haven’t been working for a long time; I’ve been ill and completely ruined. Now I have some money for the bad times. You know that if God provides, I will start working again and give the money back. I would like to work for some time in Mombasa until the situation is clear and I will be waiting when you and your father will be with me. I read some information about the Army having a holiday. I hope you will be able to come to Kenya – maybe your Dad will too. I will see how it is there and I will write to you. Could you do me a favour? You didn’t tell me if you are coming. If you do come don’t wear your uniform. Another thing Richard, if you are going to England – do not enlist in the working forces. God provides we will see each other and think about your future.
You know Richard, it has been 3 months since Heniek died and only now I receives a parcel which travelled so long. There was a nice raincoat, a scarf. Oh, Richard, I have had so much bad luck in my life! His words of support and kindness, his help is now lost forever. So, my dear Richard, there only three of us left. That is why I worry about your kidney problems – don’t you have any doctors there? Any help? Write to me immediately the name and address of your doctor – and I will decide what treatment you will need. In any case, Ryszek, you shouldn’t drink and eat spicy food – remember also not a lot of liquids. Tell me what you need and In will send the medicine for the injections. Please Ryszek, write to your Dad and help him keep his spirits high up to the time when he is with me.
I will finish now and wait for the money transfer. I will put aside 10 shillings after I do my shopping.
Kisses to you my only child.
Yours
Mother.
PS. I have to tell you that my leaving now will not stop me from trying to go to England.
04/12/46
My darling Richard
I don’t know if your received my letter. I told you that I was going to leave on the 5th or so of December. Now I know it will be the second part of December, I will let you know the new date. I asked you to send me a couple of pounds as I am leaving without a penny. But I can see, my dear, that you can’t do me as you never sent me any money. I wrote you that I was promised £5 but I never got them. If you don’t have money, please let me know so that I won’t wait for it every day.
I wrote a note to your father, so send it to him by post. My dear Richard, please do not enrol into “Corpus” yet. The job you are doing now is good enough (salesman). I would really like you and your father to be………. (some words not legible) united together and maybe I will join you. I do not think that you want to see as much as we want to see you because in “Kartoch” (the name of the place) there is always a woman with you. Maybe she stole you and your money from me. Write to me my dear Richard, what you are planning for your future so that I won’t be in your way. In any case do not promise something which you cannot do your presenting facts in the wrong way will hurt me and I am too old and weak for that.
I finish and wait for your answer.
Kisses from you loving mother.
10/06/47
My dear darling Ryszek
I am already in Poland. After this long journey I was completely exhausted. I didn’t have time to relax. You know that I came here without a penny, but I have already got a job thank God! I am working and I am happy that I am home. It is not easy for me and I have to wait for the better times. I do not have any money saved (savings). Up to this moment I have always had to rely on myself only, but if I have good health – that’s all I need. You see, Ryś, you are doing irresponsible things and you do not think about the consequences for me and your father. If I had believed you, I would now be at the church doors begging for money. Take this sad fact as an example; do not make promises if you do not have ground under your feet. I am not accusing you – God forbid I should do that – but I am disappointed, and why? Do you not have the heart for me? Do you not trust me? Or are we too far away from each other and you do not have deep feelings for me? Dearest Ryś, you are the only one in my life and there is nothing in my life apart from you. I wish I was completely independent and you could rely on me, but it’s only a wish! Long years have passed and I do not know anything about you – who you are, how much you earn, is it enough for you, are you well – to make it short – I do not know anything about you. I do not know anything about your future.
Are you in love with somebody? If yes, who is she? You know that after the war, things are difficult and it would be nice for you to marry someone rich. If it is not too late, please be careful about who you’ve got. You know the world is rotten, there are very few boys left. It will be better for you to look for a girl from the same background as your mother is a doctor. Meanwhile you are not in good society at the moment. I thought you were going to be on a ship selling things as you wrote me. I know so many influential people from the upper society and I could ask them to put your name on the list for officers. I asked you what you really wanted but you do not answer. That is why, my child, think about it and write to me about yourself. I wrote to Franka before I left (Cambo?) But he didn’t answer. If he didn’t bother to answer – I do not care about him. I am waiting for your father to join me I hope.
If you have any problems where you are now, you can come to Poland when I get established here. Now Rysiuk contact “Corpus” 2 in Italy, find the officer by the name Sadowski. He kept sending me the money that Heniek left me, but he didn’t send me the last portion of it. He must apply for this money and send me a note with the amount of money shown on it.
I am finishing and waiting for your answer desperately,
Kiss you
Your loving, you until her death,
Mother
Joanna was repatriated and sailed back from Africa to Poland on 09.03.1947 on S.S Almanzora.
I have established that ‘Dorcia’ was Aldona’s family name, ‘Beri’ is Bernard, who must have been known to my father as the familiar term is used. ‘Heniek’ is Henryk Sucharski who was a close family friend and to whom I have dedicated a separate future blog. ‘Rysiuk’, ‘Ryś’ and ‘Ryszek’ are all shortened versions of Ryszard, which is the Polish spelling of Richard
I know very little about the conditions the deported Poles endured during their detention in the USSR. In 2017, I was introduced to Kenneth Rybarczyk at the Polish Sikorski Club in Glasgow for an exchange of information. Kenneth’s father came from Wilno (now Vilnius in Lithuania) and wrote his memoirs, titled ‘Neighbours From Hell, of his exile there. From this lengthy testimony I was able to mirror roughly what my own grandmother must have experienced.
A blog dedicated to Henryk Sucharski will be published next.
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