A Brechin man who unearthed an old photo album containing pictures of Polish Prime Minister-in-exile Wladyslaw Sikorski’s wartime visit to Forfar is keen to trace its original owner.
Second world war enthusiast Michael McIlroy (65) was browsing through goods at a car boot sale in Edzell home to a former American radar station when he made the discovery.
He paid “a couple of quid” for the folder and contacted The Courier with the aim of tracing its origins.
“I came across the album by chance and wonder if the items may have been repossessed after the owner’s death,” said Mr McIlroy.
The album, which has strong Polish ties, is draped horizontally with red and white striped ribbon and carries an emblem of the white eagle of Poland from the country’s coat of arms.
Inside the book, there is a range of black and white photographs capturing Sikorsky with who appear to be Polish soldiers in early 1940s Forfar.
In one fascinating snapshot (above) a group of men are gathered beside a ‘Hess Comes Down’ banner while a dummy no doubt representing Hitler’s depute as he parachuted into Scotland hangs from a gallows underneath an umbrella.
A local publication suggests his visit took place some time in the first week of May in 1941 when King George and Queen Elizabeth visited Polish troops in the area with Sikorski and his entourage in tow.
“There were Polish soldiers dotted up and down Scotland,” said Mr McIlroy.
“They were called the Northern Command and sent to France after D-Day where they suffered a massive casualty rate. They were brave fighters.
“In the photo where troops are marching past the county buildings on Market Street they appear to be carrying a Polish unit’s flag although it would be hard to find out without knowing the name of the unit.”
A clue to uncovering the identity of the photographer may lie with the name Jack Munro, written on a yellow sticker on the inside of the album’s cover.
There are also postcards dating from July 1939 and addressed to a Mrs D. Edwards and a Mrs E. Edwards of 3 Strang Street, Forfar.
A couple (pictured below) also feature throughout the album and may be the original owners.
If you can help identify the original owners of the album or have any more information, leave a comment below or email us.