Wartime life of Polish soldiers captured at Pickering exhibition (From Gazette & Herald)

Life of Polish soldiers captured at Beck Isle Museum exhibition

12:36pm Wednesday 13th October 2010 in News

A UNIQUE set of photographs has gone on display at Beck Isle Museum in Pickering.

The pictures were taken by three Polish soldiers based in the town in the 1940s and left to the museum three years ago.

Museum chairman Rodge Dowson said one of the soldiers had wanted the photographs to return to Yorkshire following his death.

“We were contacted by the Polish Embassy in London and after lots of negotiation they were given to the Beck Isle Museum,” he said.

“They are an important time capsule of life here at the end of the Second World War.”

Polish soldiers were based at a camp near Pickering Castle and lived with their families there until 1947.

The camp remained until the 1960s and is now the site of a housing estate.

“There are some lovely photographs showing the soldiers in snowball fights and relaxing with their families,” Mr Dowson added.

The photos have been put on display as part of the museum’s Wartime Weekend exhibition which includes items from the Home Front.

Anyone wearing 1940s uniform or costume will be admitted to Beck Isle Museum for half price over the weekend.

“It will be a busy few days for us as we have a group of American re-enactors setting up camp and a number of vehicles on display,” Mr Dowson added.

“There is lots going on and this is a period of history that I am particularly interested in so I love it,” he added.