Veterans, families and villagers will gather to mark 80 years of British-Polish friendship.
The anniversary event, taking place on May 30 in Checkendon, Oxfordshire, will commemorate the arrival of Allied Polish soldiers in 1946.
These troops, unable to return home after fighting under General Montgomery’s 8th Army, settled in the area following the Second World War.
A vintage convoy will launch the day’s events, featuring WWII jeeps and a pre-war Rolls Royce, led by 100-year-old veteran Ches Black (Blachucki).
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Clare Wilkinson, landlady of The Black Horse pub, said: "As the owner of the Black Horse Public House, we are very much looking forward to honouring and helping to remember such an important part of history."
A Polish priest will lead prayers, joined by the British Army’s 7th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps and representatives from the Royal British Legion (Nettlebed and Henley branches).
Czeslaw Adamczyk and Zbigniew Karpowicz, sons of Polish WW2 soldiers and former camp residents, will welcome visitors and outline the day’s celebrations.
Live entertainment includes award-winning British-Polish singer-songwriter Katy Carr, 1940s vocalist May Blossom and the Mlody Las Polish folk song and dance troupe from Slough.
The Black Horse pub will serve as the main venue for the celebration.
The pub, once known as ‘Maggie’s’ after the wartime and post-war landlady, has supported the Polish community for more than 80 years.
British and Polish catering vans will be on site, along with refreshments supported by Stoke Row Store.
Donations are welcome on Justgiving to help towards establishing a lasting memorial at Checkendon.
