ZYGMUNT PIETRASIEWICZ

He was born on 23^rd March 1919 in Bobrus near Wilno (now Vilnius, Lithuania) and in 1938 he joined the training school in Swiecie.  But because of the outbreak of war, he was unable to complete the course and was evacuated from his base in Moderowka to Romania.  His escape route is uncertain but he arrived in France on 30^th November 1939 and sought a transfer to England.  This was granted and he arrived in England on 27^th February 1940 and, after completing his basic training, began his aircrew training on 13^th July 1941 and his pilot training two months later on 12^th September 1941.

He finished the training at 34 Service Flying Training School at Medicine Hat in Alberta, Canada on 3^rd July 1942.  He was then returned to the Blackpool Depot and was sent to 16 SFTS at RAF Newton, Nottinghamshire on 20^th October 1942 and, to gain flying experience, he was sent to 5 Air Observer School at RAF Jurby on the Isle of Man.

On 15^th May 1944 he was posted to 304 Squadron at RAF Chivenor in Devon and served with them until 21^st November 1945 when he enlisted in the Polish Resettlement Corps at RAF Hucknall in Nottinghamshire.  He was awarded the Cross of Valour twice and the Air Medal.

After his demobilisation he settled in the Nottingham area, changed his name to Hope and worked in the textile industry.  He died on 9^th March 2005 and was buried in Wilford Hill cemetery in Nottingham.

Photograph © Stefan Pietrasiewicz-Hope