Born: January 1, 1924, in Dobrzewino (pow. Wejherowo, woj. pomorskie, Polska)
Died: December 27th, 2016 in London, Ontario, Canada
Buried : St. Peter’s Cemetery, London, Ontario, Canada
Family: father Franciszek; mother Emilia (maiden name : Mazur)
Military Medals: Polish Medals: Złoty Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami; Medal Wojska; Krzyż Kampanii Wrześniowej 1939; Krzyż Kampanii Włoskiej; British Medals: 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-1945.
Fates before joining Anders Army : Bolesław Lidzbarski recalled, “As a boy growing up near Gdynia, I have fond memories of spending my leisure time fishing and picking mushrooms”.
Military history: He served as Private First Class, in an attack platoon, 2nd Squadron, 12th Podolian Lancers, 3rd Carpathian Infantry Division, 2nd Corps. From 1944 to 1946 he served on the Italian Front. His major campaigns included the Battles of Monte Casino, Ancona & Bologna. He was demobbed at Predappio, Italy on October 10, 1946.
Post-War: After the war ended, heartbroken about not being able to return to a Free Poland, Bolesław Lidzbarski chose to immigrate to Canada. In November 1946, he arrived in Halifax from Italy aboard the military transport ship S.S. Sea Snipe. He worked as a farm labourer in Lachute, Quebec (near Montreal) on a 2-year contract. After the farm contract, he took various jobs that were available before landing a full-time job in 1950 with Bell Canada, where he was responsible for emergency power generation maintenance across Southwestern Ontario. He was very proud to obtain his Canadian Citizenship in 1954. He retired after 34 years at Bell Canada (1950-1984). Bolesław Lidzbarski was also involved in numerous Polish Organizations in London including SPK (Treasurer in 1987) PSN (Polskie Stowarzyszenie Narodowe), Parish Advisory Council, Polonia Towers, Polish School, Polish Scouts, Polish Dance Group “Cracovia” and the Knights of Columbus (3rd Degree).
author : Stan Skrzeszewski
source : “Book of Remembrance / Książka Pamięci”, Polish Combatant’s Association, Branch 2. London, Ontario, Canada, 2018.
