Skip to content

A Life in Translation

Getting to know my father through his wartime diaries

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog Posts
  • Diary Extracts
  • Contact

Tag: Polish Army

Project Update

I was so pleased to be asked to give a presentation about Józef's diary to the (virtual) Polish Language and Culture Meet Up yesterday. It was the first time I had formally presented any information about this project and it was really encouraging to receive such positive feedback from everyone - so thank you very … Continue reading Project Update →

Jane Emms Blog 6 Comments November 17, 2020November 18, 2020 1 Minute

About Turn…

Life in Translation 1939 Diary Extract

In the aftermath of the devastating attack on the procession of carts, work continues to provide a safe crossing over the Vistula. 11/09/1939 [cont.]A cart was passing by so I requisitioned it in order to transport the casualties.More and more aircraft were appearing over the crossing point to try to prevent us from using the … Continue reading About Turn… →

Jane Emms Blog, Extracts Leave a comment September 27, 2020February 22, 2021 3 Minutes

The Call for a Doctor

Life in Translation 1939 Diary Extract

After emerging from a difficult, night time journey through the forest, Józef’s journey towards Sandomierz with the supply column continues. They soon come to a halt however, due to yet another bottleneck of a huge number of other supply column carts. Eventually things start to move and they find a way through 11/09/1939 At last … Continue reading The Call for a Doctor →

Jane Emms Blog, Extracts 2 Comments July 25, 2020February 20, 2021 3 Minutes

VE Day at Polish Army Camps in Scotland

Przebieg Służby Wojskowej – Polish Military Service Record

Hearing all the reminiscences and recollections of VE Day 75 years ago today, made me think about what Józef might have been doing on that day. His diaries didn’t continue to that point, but looking at his military service records I can see that he was in Fordoun, Scotland where he was the doctor in … Continue reading VE Day at Polish Army Camps in Scotland →

Jane Emms Blog Leave a comment May 8, 2020May 8, 2020 1 Minute

Chaotic Behaviour Endangers the Division

Life in Translation 1939 Diary Extract

In the previous extract, Józef and the health cart were joined by the rest of the supply column in Nowy Korczyn and from there they headed north to Ucisków, where at last they found their squadron. After a few hours' rest they continued their difficult journey north-eastwards spurred on by the hope of being able … Continue reading Chaotic Behaviour Endangers the Division →

Jane Emms Extracts 2 Comments January 7, 2020February 23, 2021 5 Minutes

Enter your email address to follow Jane and Louise - we'll send notifications of new posts by email.

Instagram

I've wanted a mono lingual Polish dictionary for so long, to help with learning and translating. So I was really delighted to find a parcel on the doorstep yesterday from my dear friend @ewaczenczek in Poland, containing exactly that! Thank you very much Ewa, I've used it so many times already in the last 24 hours!
Three photos of my mother, Juliet.
Today's #googledoodle marks the 185th anniversary of the publication of Adam Mickiewicz's Pan Tadeusz. If you're familiar with this poem and its importance to the Polish people, it will come as no surprise that Józef chose its first lines to open the very first entry in his memoirs.
Judging by the passionate way my father wrote about his homeland throughout his diaries, I believe he would have been proud to know that Poland had maintained its independence for 100 years. Despite all the upheavals of WWII, it stood firm. Long may it continue.
I took this photo a year ago today in a cemetery in Kraków. All Saints & All Souls are amongst the most significant celebrations of the Polish calendar. Everyone travels to be with their family, perhaps even more so than at Christmas. They put dozens of extra tram and train routes on to meet the sheer amount of people travelling to visit the graves of their loved ones.
Missing Kraków in autumn 🍃🍂 #kochamkrakow #polishautumn #plantypark #krakowplanty #krakowwawel #wawelcastle #polskafotografia #polska🇵🇱 #universitetjagiellonski #jagiellonia

Recent Comments

Pandemonium and Sand… on My Beloved Kraków
Pandemonium and Sand… on 80 Years On
Jane Emms on Project Update
Jane Emms on Project Update
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com
Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×