11/12/2025
Today I’d like to share a rather personal group I mounted earlier this year. This being the group to my great grandfather, Frank (Franciszek) Goszka.
Frank started his life on the poorer side being raised in Poland in the early 1900’s and living through the First World War as a young teenager. He didn’t experience much peacetime in his early years, having joined the Polish Army at 16yrs old and fighting in the Polish-Soviet war from 1918-1921.
Finally, at 24yrs old he made his voyage across the Atlantic and immigrated to Canada in 1927, and ended up establishing his roots in Winnipeg.
Frank didn’t hesitate when the Second World War started, joining the RCAF in June of 1940. At the time, he was working in a bakery with 3 young children at home, he felt it fitting he continue in that field, joining as a Cook.
He spent his service in Canada, working on the west coast in Patricia Bay as a cook, and eventually, while holding the rank of Flight Sergeant, a Chef .
Unfortunately, his health began to fail in 1944 and ultimately he was sent back to Winnipeg to continue undergoing treatment for what was eventually discovered to be stomach cancer.
Flight Sergeant Franciszek Goszka passed away on August 8, 1944.
Unfortunately, his medals were lost to time - and as such were replaced earlier this year. Thankfully through researching his service, we were able to uncover his service in Poland at such a young age, and thankfully were able to add The Commemorative Medal for the War of 1918-21 (Poland)
