大象传媒

Kataryna's story is part of a collection recorded for a reminiscence project to celebrate the history of the Ukrainian community in Gloucester, and contributed to the 大象传媒 People's War with permission.

I lived in Dorszucza, Poland, 2km from Tisna. It was a large village with a church and a school. We lived on a farm, we all had to work hard to survive.

My father died when I was two years old. My mother remarried so that we could continue to live on the farm but she became very ill and also died when I was 4 years old, my brother was 6 and my sister was 8 years old.

My stepfather worked very hard to look after us all. While we were still very young we all helped out on the farm.

In 1939 my stepfather was forced to go into the Polish Army. We were left all alone, young and vulnerable, but with support from some neighbours we managed the farm on our own until our stepfather returned from the war as he was wounded.

Then in 1943 my sister, who was nearly 17, was taken to Germany to a labour camp. In 1944 my stepfather was taken to the Russian Army. That was the last time we saw him. He died in action on the Czeckoslovakian border.

After the war in 1945, my sister returned home from Germany. Two years later the Polish government decreed that all Ukrainians who were living on their soil were forced to leave their homes. I had to gather my possessions and could only take what I could carry. I remember when we were leaving our homes they were all set on fire. This was to make sure no one returned. It was very frightening seeing the Polish Army on their horses forcing people out of their homes.

In 1963 I arrived in Great Britain and settled in Gloucester. My first impression of England was of a beautiful country, with shops and supermarkets, full of clothing and food - so much so choose from. I remember walking through the town and just looking in shop windows and butcher shops, it just did not seem real.

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