Last surviving Polish World War Two airman, John Franklin, of Bury St Edmunds, dies aged 104
The last surviving Polish World War Two airman, who lived in Bury St Edmunds for nearly 80 years, has died at the age of 104.
Tribute has been paid to Mieczysław Frąckiewicz, better known as John Franklin, who fled war-torn Poland, his birth country, to England to help the allied forces fight the Nazis.
Once here, he served in the RAF with Squadron 304 and worked as a Morse code radio operator before settling in Bury in around 1945.
He ran a bespoke furniture shop in Looms Lane until he retired in the early 1990s.
Linda Davies, John’s daughter., said: “He was just absolutely amazing and had such a fascinating life.
“He had so much grit, determination and such a strength of character that got him through hard times.”
Born on November 3, 1919, in Sopockinie, a region of north eastern Poland – now part of Belarus – as a young man John was sent to Siberia to work on the railways before being evacuated.
In 1941, Polish citizens who were deported to the Soviet Union were granted a a one-off amnesty and, in March 1942, John joined the Polish armed forces.
He travelled through Kyrgyzstan, Persia (now Iran) and South Africa before reaching Blackpool by boat.
He was involved in the bombings over Germany and then reconnaissance missions focused on anti-submarine warfare.
“He had a very tough life early on but one that became an inspiration to many,” said Linda.
“The final thing that killed him was a very short illness. A couple of weeks ago, we took him to A&E and he died within five hours, so it was very sudden.”
During the war John was decorated with medals including the Polish Virtuei Military Cross and the British Atlantic Star war medal – one for helping to successfully sink a U-boat off the coast of Cornwall.
In 2019, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant by the Polish president Andrzej Duda and in November, on his 104th birthday, he became a lieutenant.
“In recent years, he became a celebrity in Poland and across the world,” said Linda.
When John was 97, he found out he was actually 99 – meaning he was about to celebrate his centenary.
The confusion happened when John had to flee his hometown and lost his documents during World War Two bombings.
Since turning 100, his birthdays were celebrated with annual visits from the Polish Embassy.
“My dad never returned to Poland – a lot of people were scared to go back, especially if they were in the allied forces,” said Linda.
“After retiring and since my mother died, those connections with the Polish community were inspirational for him.
“The Polish community, including the Polish Embassy, have been absolutely amazing in honouring him.”
After John was discharged from the RAF in 1947 he met his wife Pamela at a dance in Chedburgh.
The pair married and had two children – Linda and Stephanie.
John cared for his wife, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, until her death in April 2007.
He lived alone in Bury with the support of his daughter Linda until his death two weeks ago.
“He had a difficult life but always had a spark about him,” added Linda. “He liked a good laugh.”
John’s funeral will be held at St Edmund’s Catholic Church, in Westgate Street, at 11.30am on Monday.
