Born: May 30, 1912 in Stara Wieś, Brzozów, Poland
Died: December 12, 1992 in London, Great Britain
Buried at: Saint Andrzej Bobola Church in London, Great Britain
Wife: Jadwiga Waleria Maź (nee Tomczyńska)
Date of marriage: April 26 1947 in Hawick, Scotland
Children: Andrzej Józef and Stefan Stanisław
Military rank: Captain
Medals: Polish: Virtuti Militari Cross (Krzyż Virtuti Militari, 1945 r.), Cross of Valour (Krzyż Walecznych, no. 6532, year 1944), Silver Cross of Merit with Swords (Srebrny Krzyż Zasługi z Mieczami, legitimacy No. 845, year 1944), Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross (Krzyż Pamiątkowy Monte Cassino, legitimacy no. 33791, year 1945), Commemorative Badge of the 2nd Corps (Odznaka Pamiątkowa 2 Korpusu, legitimacy no. 038844, year 1946), Commemorative Badge of the 2nd Artillery Group (Odznaka Pamiątkowa 2 Grupy Artylerii, legitimacy no. 1007, year 1946); British: 1939-45 War Star (year 1945), Italy Star (year 1945)
Fates before joining Anders Army (prewar and during WWII):
Shortly after the outbreak of war he was imprisoned by the Soviets in their POW camps. He was released under the terms of the Sikorski-Mayski Agreement and joined Anders’ Army in Tockoje, initially as a Lieutenant (Porucznik) in the 7th Light Artillery Regiment (7 Pułk Artylerii Lekkiej) of the Seventh Division (7 Dywizja). This was the forerunner of the 10 Pułk Artylerii Ciężkiej.
Military history in Anders Army:
Officer of 10th Polish Heavy Artillery Regiment of 2 Artillery Group of Polish 2 Corps (10 Pułk Artylerii Ciężkiej 2 Grupy Artylerii 2 Korpusu Polskiego) – ID no. 1912/40/III. He fought in the Italian Campaign of Polish 2 Corps, taking part in battles at Monte Marrone, Monte Cassino, Loreto, Ancona, Cesano, Metauro, Faenze, Bologna and Gaiano. At the end of the war, the Artillery Group commander, General Ząbkowski, ordered the establishment of schools for non-commissioned officers within the regiments of the Artillery Group. The first school for NCOs was opened by the 1st Division of 10th Polish Heavy Artillery Regiment on 10 May 1945, and the leader of the Division, Kpt. Maź, was appointed as head of the school. He created a school curriculum, with training sessions in motor mechanics, communications, driving, shoemaking and tailoring. A course for younger officers was also created, and one for administration and quartermastering.
Post-War: He arrived in the UK as a post-war refugee, initially transferred to camp Stobs in Scotland, later to camp Langholm and finally camp Nettlebed in England in July 1947. He moved to London with his wife Jadwiga. He obtained a qualification as a shipping clerk, and eventually became a supervisor working for H.J. Heinz Company. When he retired, he wrote his book, “Historia 10 Pułku Artylerii Ciężkiej” (“History of 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment”), a detailed military history covering the early days of Anders’ Army and its pivotal role in the Italian Campaign.
author: Dr. Stefan Maz, Great Britain
