WITH the country falling silent on Sunday November 11, services will rightly concentrate on the end of the First World War. However there are calls to remember the part played by troops from overseas.

Actress and Radio York presenter Katherine Apanowicz feels very strongly on the subject. Her father Wladyslaw escaped from internment by the USSR, made his way to England and served in Bomber Command during the war. She explained: “I have always felt that the contribution of the Polish troops and other nations is overlooked.

“My father had a terrible time getting to England, he joined the RAF and served in the UK and Middle East, but never really spoke about his experiences.”

An inspiring example of Polish fortitude is commemorated at a remote spot in the Yorkshire Dales.

Taking off for training flight on January 30, 1942, the six-man Polish crew of a Wellington Bomber became lost over the Yorkshire Dales due to bad weather. Crashing into a remote hillside at over 200mph, the impact killed most of the crew but rear gunner Joseph Fusniak, was miraculously thrown clear. Finding a fellow crewman, still alive but seriously injured, he set off in a blizzard to seek help, despite being injured himself. Becoming totally disorientated by falling snow and fearing for his life the airman spotted a fox and followed its tracks. Freezing to death and near the point of giving up he found safety at a remote public house.

Rescuers were too late to save any of the crew and Sgt Fusniak was awarded the BEM.

The site of the crash is at Buckden Pike to the west of Walden in Wensleydale and is commemorated by a memorial. Passed daily by walkers; it also has a fox’s head at the base of the stone.

Many readers will remember Stanislaw Les, father of Carl Les leader of NYCC who ran the café and later motel at Leeming for many years. Mr Les snr escaped from German-occupied Poland and joined the Polish Army in exile based in Britain. As part of a tank crew, he took part in the liberation of Europe, later settling in North Yorkshire.

Mr Les explained:” Dad loved the British and was always very grateful to the nation for saving his life.

“Two of his great friends were Dr Roman Jarema of Scorton who was a Hurricane pilot and Dr Witek Browarski of Hutton Radby who had been a member of the French Resistance.”

“Like many men of his time, they never made a fuss about their bravery and support to our country in the war.”

L-Col Joe Jordan Commander Catterick Garrison concludes: “It is vital that we don’t forget those foreign soldiers, sailors and airman that give the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our country.

• A feature film “Hurricane” is currently on national release which tells the story of a Polish fighter squadron during the Battle of Britain.