Crowds gathered on the Isle of Wight at the weekend to mark the 84th anniversary of the defence of Cowes and East Cowes by the Polish destroyer ORP Błyskawica during the Second World War.
Events organised by the Friends of The ORP Błyskawica Society began on Saturday, May 9, with a service and wreath‑laying at Kingston Cemetery’s communal war grave in East Cowes, followed by a ceremony in King’s Square.
On Saturday evening, Holy Trinity Church hosted a concert by trio Aria di Corda – the Singing Chopin Trio – performing songs by Chopin in tribute to the ship’s Polish heritage.
On Sunday, May 10, a service was held at Francki Place in Cowes, where wreaths were laid in remembrance.
Medina Marching Band played the Polish and British national anthems before leading the parade down to the bandstand on Cowes Parade for the main commemorative service.
Representatives from Poland’s diplomatic and military corps stood alongside Island dignitaries, veterans, standard bearers and members of the public at the bandstand.
IW West MP Richard Quigley, IW High Sheriff Nigel Hartley, East Cowes mayor Cllr Tracy Reardon, Cowes mayor Cllr Stuart Ellis, Cllr Karl Love, Cllr Jock Rafferty, former councillor Vanessa Churchman and IW Police Sergeant Mark Radford were among Island figures in attendance.
The service included prayers, national anthems, a brief history of the raids and the laying of wreaths on behalf of organisations from across the Island, the UK and Poland.
Nigel Hartley, who laid a wreath at the bandstand, said the 1942 defence of Cowes and East Cowes “is commemorated every year, and rightly so,” adding: “Although 70 people died, the action of ORP Błyskawica spared the towns and their people from worse destruction.”
Newly elected Cowes North councillor Jock Rafferty described the ceremony as a fitting first engagement in his new role.
“It was a privilege to lay a wreath and to remember the courage of the Błyskawica’s crew and the people of Cowes who endured that terrible night. We owe them a great deal.”
Medina Marching Band said it was “an honour” to perform at the ceremonies, calling ORP Błyskawica “a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between Poland and the UK.”
Sgt Radford said the annual services ensured “the sacrifices that were made are not forgotten,” noting that while many lives were lost, “it would have been worse without the joint action between the local defences and the destroyer.”
On the night of May 4 and 5, 1942, some 160 Luftwaffe bombers attacked the strategically vital shipyards and aircraft works in Cowes and East Cowes.
ORP Błyskawica – built at J. Samuel White’s in Cowes and in port for refit – opened fire under the command of Captain Wojciech Francki, forcing German aircraft higher and helping to shield the towns from even greater devastation.
Seventy civilians were killed in the raids, and many more were injured, while the ship’s Polish crew later came ashore to fight fires and tend to the wounded alongside residents.
Cowes Town Council said the strong turnout of councillors, mayors, dignitaries, societies and residents “truly reflects the strong community spirit of both towns in remembering and honouring the heroic actions of the ORP Błyskawica.”
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