Speech by Defence Attache of the Republic of Poland to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Colonel Rafał Nowak at the ceremony of rededication of the headstone
of Lance Sergeant Edward Morchonowicz 15th September 2023, Airborne War Cemetery, Oosterbeek
Ladies and gentlemen!
The headstone of the Lance Sergeant Edward MORCHONOWICZ reads:
Plutonowy E. MORCHONOWICZ
3 BAON SPAD.
23rd September 1944, Age 28
Polish Forces.
But today I would like all of us to learn a bit more about anonymous person whose identity has been determined thanks to the research of free lance historian Mr. Mateusz MROZ, and later confirmed by the employees of the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sports in Poland.
Lance Sergeant Edward MORCHONOWICZ was a soldier of the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade and took part in Operation Market Garden. His body was buried in the grave with a simple marking:
A Polish Soldier of the 1939-1945 War
September 1944
and for many years have waited, over thousand kilometers from his beloved country, for this very moment that we solemnly observe today.
Edward MORCHONOWICZ was born on November 15, 1915 in Żółkiewka, Krasnystawski County, located in the South-Easter part of Poland.
After graduating from primary school in 1930, he joins the orchestra of the 24th Uhlan Regiment in Kraśnik as an elev, which means a candidate for military service. In November 1934 he voluntarily joins the regiment as a soldier, and later in 1935 he graduates from non-commissioned officer school. In 1936, he is promoted to the rank of corporal and later starts his duties as an extended term non-commissioned officer. In 1937, he completes with distinction an instructor course in the 3rd Uhlan Regiment in Tarnowskie Góry.He continues his training and in 1938, he completes the course for the honor guard detail in his regiment. With same unit later he takes part in the operation in Zaolzie. In September Campaign of 1939, together with his regiment, he takes part in the battles of Jordanów-Kasina Wielka, Zegartowice, Leszczyna, Pcim, Głogów-Rzeszów-Łańcut, Radymno, Jaworów, Grzybowice and the defense of Lviv. On September 20, 1939 he crosses the border and becomes interned in Hungary. On New Year’s Eve he arrives in France and becomes a soldier of the 1st squadron of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade. However, his unit does not take part in the French campaign. On June 26, 1940, he is evacuated to England, and becomes a soldier of the 24th Regiment of Lancers (armoured).At the beginning of 1942, he applies for a transfer to the newly established Parachute Brigade. Because he is a very good instructor and a soldier, his superiors decline his request. He applies again. His application is rejected once again. As it is reported, he intentionally starts his drinking campaign and acts much below expected standards.As a result he is demoted to corporal and transferred to the 10th Dragoon Battalion.Finally, at the end of 1942, his superiors allow him to transfer to the Parachute Brigade to fulfill his long felt desire. He undergoes parachute training and receives the parachute jumper badge No. 2669. Within a year and a half, he regains his previous rank of Lance Sergeant, and is praised by his new superiors for his exemplary performance. His friends from the Brigade remembered him as a very cheerful and friendly person. His only minor problem, if it can be said like this, was his stuttering while speaking. Apparently, this dysfunction always disappeared when he sang and played the accordion. He was also remembered as a proud cavalryman. He tried to dress like a cavalryman, wearing motorcycle messenger trousers and boots similar in design to breeches and cavalry boots, instead of regulation trousers and military footwear. He was reportedly always saying to the soldiers he knew from his cavalry regiment in Poland: “You’re not gunners, you’re parachute lancers.” About himself he was repeatedly saying with pride “I’m not a sergeant, I’m a parachute sergeant.”He jumped in Driel on September 21, 1944 from Dakota, Registration No. 75, aircraft. On the night of September 22/23, he crossed the Rhine River with 36 men from his 8th company in three dinghies.The next morning they took up positions by the pond at the junction of Benedendorpsweg and Kneppelhoutweg. He was found dead after artillery and mortar fire.
He was buried by his comrades 70 meters behind the positions, as stated in his burial report.
In 1945, his remains were transferred to this very place where they were buried in an unnamed grave.
Posthumously he was awarded the Cross of Valour for demonstrated deeds of valour and courage on the field of battle.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Today we celebrate the life and service of Lance Sergeant, or as he would preferred to be called, Parachute Sergeant Edward MORCHONOWICZ.
This is not a grave of “A Polish Soldier of the 1939-1945 War” anymore, this is a grave of Lance Sergeant, Parachute Sergeant, Edward MORCHONOWICZ and this was his life as we know it.
Thank you for you attention.