A survivor of the Battle of Arnhem has been honoured for his part in the mission 70 years on from the airborne assault which aimed to bring a swift end to the Second World War.
Stanislaw Bajkowski (89), of Edmondson Street, Barnoldswick, was a member of the 1st Independent Polish Brigade that parachuted into the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden in 1944.
Paratroopers were met by fierce German resistance which led to heavy casualties and the failure of ground troops to link up with and relieve the airborne forces resulted in the withdrawal of surviving Allied soldiers.
Mr Bajkowski, who settled in West Craven after the war, was one of these and left the “bridge too far” battlefield unscathed though many of his colleagues were killed or captured.
Barnoldswick Town Council Chairman, Coun. Claire Teall, presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr Bajkowski who is the last survivor of the Battle of Arnhem known to be living in the area.
Coun. Teall said: “It’s an honour and privilege to present Mr Bajkowski with this certificate in recognition of his heroism in fighting for our country. It is humbling to listen to his story; he is a very fine man.”
Read the full story in the Barnoldswick and Earby Times on Friday.