POLONICA IN SCOTLAND A Register of Polonica of the physical manifestations of the Polish presence in Scotland WORLD WAR TWO	GALASHIELS MARBLE TABLET
IN GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE OF GALASHIELS FROM THE 10TH POLISH FIELD AMBULANCE 1942 – 1943 ZA NASZĄ WOLNOŚĆ I WASZĄ (FOR YOUR FREEDOM AND OURS) The plaque is signed Wesołowski Photo Copyright © R Ostrycharz 1999	GALASHIELS was a garrison town during the last war.  In early April 1942, units of the Polish Army moved into the town.  Some of the units took up occupation in the large mills buildings that existed in the town, namely Netherdale Mill; Abbots Mill and Botany Mill. The highest headquarters in the town was that of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade. Some of the units stationed in Galashiels were subordinated to this brigade and other units belonged to the 1st Polish Armoured Division of which the 10th Brigade was an important part. n the case of the 10th Field Ambulance (10 komp. san.) it occupied premises in Windyknowe Road.  The marble plaque was found in 1999 in the entrance hall to the then Woodlands House Hotel. A crowned Polish Eagle appears above the text. A local newspaper* in June of 1943 noted that a mural tablet had been erected in the vestibule of Woodlands. The tablet was a gift from the officers and men of the Field Ambulance in memento of their residence in the town. [* Southern Reporter of 10th June 1943] BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE POLISH ARMY IN GALASHIELS TO COMPLETE
Modified 17 Sep 2014	Created 2 May 2013
Polonica10FdAmb.htm	© Copyright R M Ostrycharz 2013