Material Type

Manuscript

Date Range

1942-1979

Physical Condition

Very Good

History Biographical

Zygmunt Nebelski was born in Stanislawow, Poland on 20 June 1913. Prior to the start of World War 2, Mr. Nebelski worked as a tool maker for a railway.

Mr. Nebelski was captured by the Russians following their invasion of Poland in late 1939. In 1941, following the German invasion of Russia, captured Poles were given the choice of serving with either the Russian or British armies. Mr. Nebelski chose the British Army, and made his way to Tel Aviv, Israel where the Polish Corps of the British Army was assembled. The Polish Corps was attached to the British 8th Army and fought in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

Mr. Nebelski met his wife Joan in September 1946 at an armed forces canteen where she worked. They married on 23 August 1947. In 1948 the Nebelskis emigrated to Argentina, where Mr. Nebelski worked as a tool and dye maker. In 1951 the couple returned to England, and in 1952 Mr. Nebelski emigrated to Canada in advance of his wife. Joan joined him in Edmonton in 1953. Mr. Nebelski worked in the construction industry, and later as an aircraft body repairman for the Department of National Defence. Mrs. Nebelski worked for the Bank of Montreal.

Mr. Nebelski retired in 1978, and the couple moved to Lethbridge. Mr. Nebelski died on 26 May 1988 and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery. Mrs. Nebelski continues to live in Lethbridge, where she has been a volunteer in the Archives since 1987.

Language

English Polish

Acquisition Source

Nebelski, Joan

Custodial History

These items originally belonged to the donor's husband, Mr. Zygmunt Nebelski.

Scope and Content

P19991096001 Papers pertaining to Mr. Nebelski's service with the 3rd Polish Carpathian Infantry Division during WW2: two certificates in Polish, Soldier's Pay Book, discharge certificate, certificate authorizing Mr. Nebelski to wear the 1939-1945 Star and Italy Star, and letter from the British Ministry of Defence regarding war service medals. 1942 to 1979

P19991096002 3rd Polish Carpathian Infantry Division: A Short History. 1946

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19991096000

Collection

Archive

Less detail