Leonard Harazimowicz

Born 1909 Wasilków Białystok, Poland. Before the war he was a physical education instructor and a head of a sports team. In April 1940 he was arrested by the Soviets and kept in prison in Bialystok for a year. In April 1941 he was sent to the gold mines beyond the Arctic Circle. In July the same year, after Sikorski's agreement with the Soviets he travelled through Russia to join the Anders Army. When he arrived he was absolutely exhausted and was miraculously found and saved by a friend after he collapsed. He travelled through Iraq and Palestine with the Army and subsequently started escorting German prisoners of war to the US where his sister lived. He refused to stay in the US and decided to join the 1st independent airborne brigade. He left behind a young wife, Kazimiera, and four daughters. He never met the youngest one.