back...Unveiling of the plaque commemorating Stanisław Siedlecki, senator of the Second Republic of Poland

On the 14th of June this year, on the initiative of the Museum of Polish Children – Victims of Totalitarianism, a commemorative plaque was unveiled dedicated to Stanisław Siedlecki, senator of the Second Republic, one of the most prominent representatives of the Promethean movement. The event took place at ul. Chłopickiego 14 in Warsaw.

A commemorative plaque dedicated to Senator Stanisław Siedlecki was unveiled on Friday. The plaque was placed on the building where Senator Stanislaw Siedlecki and his family had lived before the war. The plaque was funded by the Museum of Polish Children – Victims of Totalitarianism.

“After the outbreak of the Second World War, Stanisław Siedlecki made his way east with his family. Unfortunately, on 17 September 1939, he killed himself in Krzemieniec (now Ukraine). The senator's closest family - his wife Felicja and daughters Maria and Irena - were arrested by the NKVD in June 1940 and deported to a labour camp in Siberia. Under an ‘amnesty’ in 1941, they made their way to Uzbekistan, where the 6th Infantry Division of the Anders Army was being formed. Due to her poor health, Felicja Siedlecka was placed in a Polish field hospital. The senator's daughters served in the Women's Auxiliary Service. In August 1942, the Siedlecki family was evacuated to Iran, then to India,”said Dr Ireneusz Piotr Maj, director of the Museum of Polish Children – Victims of Totalitarianism.

As a result of illness, Felicia Siedlecka, the senator's wife, died in 1944 in Bombay, while the daughters emigrated to Australia in 1950, where they settled permanently. The exact place of Senator Siedlecki's burial has not yet been determined.

The ceremony was attended by Dr Krystyna Haq, granddaughter of the Second Republic senator.

“Ms Krystyna flew to Poland to learn more about her grandfather's story. This is her third visit to her grandfather's homeland. Last year we hosted her as well as her husband and sister,” added the Museum’s Director.