A Free Polish Army gallantry, campaign and document group, that of Gunner Kazimierz Kopacz, 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 2nd Polish Corps Artillery, comprising Cross of Valour (Middle Eastern type), Army Medal, Monte Cassino Cross (36067), all having legitymacja, British campaign and service medals, ribbon bars, soldier's service and pay book, photograph album and other service and civilian documents [Kazimierz Kopacs, 1919-2007, born in Kolimagi, Podlaskie Province, Poland. Noted to be a farm worker before the war, he was captured by the Soviets in 1939 and subsequently deported to the USSR. Managing to survive Soviet captivity, he joined the "Polish Army in the East" and went on to serve in Italy with the 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. After the War, Kazimierz came to the UK with the rest of the 2nd Polish Corps and found work as a woodsman. He became a British citizen on 7th March 1989, living in Slough with his wife, Nora. Kazimierz died at Hillington Hospital in London on 30th November 2007.]Gunner Kazimierz Kopacz, 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 2nd Polish Corps Artillery: Cross of Valour, Middle Eastern Type; Army Medal; Monte Cassino Cross (No. 36067); 1939-45 & Italy Stars; Defence & War Medals. Accompanying Original Documents & Material: Legitymacje (4) for the: Cross of Valour; Army Medal; Monte Cassino Cross; 2nd Corps Badge (this last not present with group)Card Certificate of Entitlement to the 1939-45 & Italy StarsPaper Temporary Certificates of Entitlement (2) to the: Cross of Valour; 1939-45 & Italy Stars. Record Office Enclosure re non-eligibility for the War Medal 1939-45Soldier’s Service Book, with Photograph, dated 21.12.1942; Polish Armed Forces Discharge Certificate Nr 93876; Letter from Army Pay Office, 14.12.1948British Nationality Certificate, dated 7 March 1989 (date of birth given as ‘16 January 1919’: see Note 1)Ribbon Bars (4): a) Cross of Valour & Army Medal, on workshop-made brooch pin mounting; b) Army Medal & Monte Cassino Cross, formed from wound thread; c) Cross of Valour, with stripes sewn on; d) Monte Cassino Cross, with sewn-on ornate claspPhotograph Album * Kazimierz Kopacz (1919-2007) was born at Kolimagi in the Podlaskie Province of Poland. Kolimagi lies just south of Zabiele, which is south-west of Kolno – all of which are situated, more or less, north-west of Łomża. In pre-war terms, therefore, his home area was in central northern Poland, very close to the border with East Prussia. Noted to be a farm worker in civil life, Kazimierz Kopacz was either captured by the Russians in 1939 or was deported to the Soviet Union, thereafter. However, he managed to survive Soviet captivity and was able to join the Polish Forces forming in the USSR. Gunner Kopacz came through the Middle East and went on to serve in the Italian campaign with the 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. On 19 November 1944, regimental daily orders noted his award of the Cross of Valour, at which time he was serving with the 4th Troop of No. 2 Battery. Alongside ten other members of his regiment, he received his Cross of Valour from the CO of the 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in a public ceremony held on 7 January 1945. Following the end of the war, Kazimierz Kopacz came to the UK with the rest of the 2nd Polish Corps. He found employment as a ‘Woodsman’ and, on 7 March 1989, was granted British nationality. Kazimierz Kopacz died at Hillingdon Hospital, on the western outskirts of London, on 30 November 2007. At that time, he was noted to be the husband of Nora Kopacz, school teacher, and his usual address was given as 56 Deans Close, Stoke Poges, Slough, Berkshire.Notes1) In fact, Kazimierz Kopacz’s wartime documents give his date of birth as ‘16 January 1918’ though, in his Soldier’s Service Book, the year has been changed to ‘1919’. 2) Specific details of the award and presentation of his Cross of Valour are contained in the Kronika of No. 2 Battery of the 7th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, held by the Polish Institute & Sikorski Museum under ref: C.431. 3) In Artillery terms, the Polish Dywizjon translates as ‘Battery’, and the smaller unit – Bateria – as ‘Troop’. 4) The Recommendation (Wniosek) for Kazimierz Kopacz’s Cross of Valour has not been found at the Polish Institute & Sikorski Museum. 5) His death registration from 2007 (Hillingdon District, Entry No. 138) gives his date of birth as ‘16 January 1919’.
