Lincolnshire remembers Polish bomber crews

The history of World War Two Polish bomber squadrons is being celebrated at a new heritage centre near Lincoln.

Volunteers have spent 14 years converting the airmen's mess at the former RAF Ingham station into a museum.

The site was used by Bomber Command between 1942 and 1944 and by training units and the Polish Air Force until 1946.

Geoff Burton, chairman of RAF Ingham Heritage Centre, which opens this weekend, said: "I am delighted and very excited that after so many years of hard work and dedication by our wonderful team of volunteers, we are finally able to open the centre to the public."

At the end of the war, many Polish service personnel chose not to return to their country which was then under Communist rule and made their homes in Britain, under the Polish Resettlement Act of 1947.

They were taught a trade and given language lessons.

Polish Resettlement Units (PRU) were created to accommodate these personnel and their families.

Mieczyslaw Frackiewicz, 104, who also uses the name John Franklin, served as a wireless operator with No. 304 Polish Bomber Squadron.

He said: "We lost crews on the bombing missions, but that was the war. Always, always chin up and that was the main thing."

Mr Franklin said it was important to remember the history of those times.

Councillor Trevor Young, leader of West Lindsey District Council, agreed.

He added: “Our aviation heritage is an integral part of our county and is something that should be preserved for our residents and visitors."

The centre will be open each Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 - 15:00.