The Polish/British Spitfire Monument

14/06/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1430856262420457&id=100064882890010

Polish🇵🇱 pilots in 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 🇬🇧:

The story of the Polish pilots who flew with the Royal Air Force (RAF) is one of the most remarkable and turning-point chapters of World War II.
When Poland fell in 1939, and France followed in 1940, thousands of experienced Polish airmen refused to surrender.
They made perilous journeys across Europe to reaching Britain, determined to keep fighting.

📷 General Wladyslaw Sikorski presents a Polish fighter pilot with Poland's highest honor, the Virtuti Militari. 1941.

09/05/2026

I’m pleased to announce that the Polish/British Spitfire Monument now seems to be on the verge of being resurrected….Largely thanks to the enthusiasm of Trowbridge Town Council, supported by our existing sponsors/contributors. It will probably be a single silver spitfire (very much like the picture below).
I am very grateful and a meeting will be scheduled in the near future.
Ps After the disappointment of the highways issues a more central site near the civic centre now potentially looks to be a front-runner
With both Polish & British determination I am confident we can achieve this!
The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego Trowbridge Chamber Laguna’s Spitfire Legacy Institute of National Remembrance Urząd do Spraw Kombatantów i Osób Represjonowanych Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej

03/04/2026

Update:
Following very constructive conversations with Councillors from Trowbridge Town Council—who have been incredibly supportive throughout—I am now exploring a revised Plan B.

This alternative proposal focuses on a single Polish/British Spitfire monument, similar in style to the example shown below, but located in a more central part of Trowbridge. By positioning it away from major roads, we can avoid the inconsistent and numerous challenges previously raised by Wiltshire Highways, while creating a more accessible and prominent landmark for the town.

Please rest assured that all those who supported the original concept will continue to be fully acknowledged and credited as we move forward. Your encouragement and contributions remain deeply appreciated.
🙏. 🇵🇱🇬🇧
Institute of National Remembrance Trowbridge Museum Laguna’s Spitfire Legacy Trowbridge Chamber Wiltshire Times Spotted in Trowbridge The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Polish Heritage Flight Polish Heritage Society UK Urząd do Spraw Kombatantów i Osób Represjonowanych

02/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ETptvmbjb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

145 Polish fighter pilots flew for the RAF in the Battle of Britain. No 303 Polish Fighter Squadron entered the Battle of Britain, credited with 126 kills, and was rated the highest-scoring fighter squadron of the battle. Winston Churchill said: "Never was so much owed by so many to so few". It is worth recalling the Polish contribution to the UK war effort in WW2.
On 1 April 1918, the Royal Air Force was officially established, marking a turning point in military history.

06/03/2026

No highways issues for this one……./

We were honoured to take part in the ceremonial groundbreaking marking the future site of the National Spitfire Monument in Southampton, the birthplace of the iconic Spitfire.
The monument will honour everyone involved with the aircraft during WWII: designers, builders, ground crew and pilots, including Polish airmen from RAF squadrons such as No. 303.
303 Polish Fighter Squadron claimed the highest number of enemy aircraft shot down among the 66 Allied fighter squadrons in the Battle of Britain, despite joining the fight two months late.
Lest we forget!

The National Spitfire Project Institute of National Remembrance The Royal Air Force Museum London RAF Association Polish Bomber Squadrons Centre - RAF Ingham

14/02/2026

Wow! ♥️

https://fb.watch/FgKpYWvyXf/?

13/01/2026

Having carefully reviewed the additional requirements raised by the planning authority towards the end of 2025, I have, with regret, decided to bring this project to a close.

None of these extensive elements were mentioned when we initially sought advice regarding the project, or we would have never started it.

Moreover, meeting these further planning obligations would place an unreasonable burden on the companies that have generously supported the project to date through pro bono contributions….While they might agree to this, I do not think it would be fair.

In addition, my role as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland—an unpaid position—does not allow me to commit the increased level of time and resource that would now be required.

While we have succeeded in building a highly committed local coalition, including local businesses, councillors (the full Town Council!), and members of the local community, support beyond this immediate circle has been limited. With the exception of a small number of specialist or interest groups (such as Laguna Spitfire, 307 Squadron, and the People’s Mosquito), we have regrettably seen little engagement or backing from more formal or institutional bodies, despite the project’s clear relevance to heritage, defence, and international relations.

It remains possible that, at some future point, we may revisit a more modest proposal—such as the installation of a single Spitfire at a less contentious location—but no decision has been made in this regard.
Trowbridge Town Council BBC Wiltshire Laguna’s Spitfire Legacy The Polish Air Force Memorial Committee Trowbridge Museum Antonio Piazza, Former Councillor for Drynham - Trowbridge Wiltshire Times Mel Jacob - Trowbridge Paxcroft Jo Trigg - Wiltshire Councillor for Trowbridge Lambrok - Lib Dem Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego Institute of National Remembrance Urząd do Spraw Kombatantów i Osób Represjonowanych Our Wiltshire Clegg Associates Ltd Trowbridge Chamber

30/12/2025

16/12/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1310020964502275&id=100064831502778

15/12/2025

The evolution of the aircraft built on our own doorstep