| MELBOURNE, 8 MAY 2021 —The Polish Museum and Archives in Australia is proud to announce the publication of “On the Rough Waves of Life”, documenting the history and legacy of Mieczyslaw Drelich, Polish Rat of Tobruk who arrived in Tasmania in 1947 and was a prominent member of the local community.The book will be launched at TOBRUK HOUSE, 44 Victoria Ave., Albert Park VIC 3206
on Sunday 23 May 2021 at 2pm. The memoir, written by Mieczysław Drelich, a veteran of the Siege of Tobruk, Battle of Monte Cassino and the Ialian Campaign. The book was initially published in Polish in 1995, has now been translated into English by his son Leszek Drelich.
Książkę już wcześniej promowaliśmy w Pulsie
The book is part of the Polish migration story which is central to Tasmania’s multicultural past. Mieczyslaw Drelich was part of the Polish soldier migrant scheme implemented by Australia in 1947 and 1948. Over 750 members of the Polish military based in the United Kingdom arrived in Tasmania aboard the ships, the “Asturias” and the “Strathnaver” to work on the Hydro Electric Commission and they settled in Hobart and Launceston, building the local Polish community.
He arrived in Australia as a member of the Polish military on 22 September 1947 and was formally demobilised upon reaching Australian soil. He was part of the vanguard of the post-war migrants who were instrumental to the growth of Tasmania during the crucial period of Australia’s post-war reconstruction.
“It is very appropriate for this to take place in Hobart this year as it is the 80th anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk,” stated Dr Zdzislaw Derwinski, President of the Polish Museum and Archives in Australia. “It was in this city that the Polish Rats of Tobruk established our community. In the post war period they were the backbone of the Tasmanian Hydro Commission with 25% of the Hydro Commission workforce being Polish. It is unfortunate that with time men like Mieczyslaw Drelich have been forgotten despite their contribution to both Australian and Polish Australian community.” Dr Derwinski further added “Through the publication of this biography in English, we are fulfilling our duty in restoring the memory of such people.”
What is significant is the connection that men had with Australia prior to their arrival. Mieczyslaw Drelich’s road to Tasmania lead him through the Middle East, North Africa, Italy and Britain. The first transport of Polish soldiers who reached Australia on 22 September 1947 aboard the “Asturias” were all Rats of Tobruk and they established close and lasting links with their Australian counterparts during the battle. It was the Australian Rats of Tobruk Association which conducted a strong lobbying campaign, encouraging the Australian to accept the Polish Rats of Tobruk as prospective migrants.
In 1947, Tom Jenkins of the Australian Rats of Tobruk Association said, “As far as we could judge in fighting alongside them, these men were splendid types, mostly agriculturalists and workers, and seemed to me and my mates’ as ideal people to settle in Australia.”
After the arrival of the Polish Rats of Tobruk in Australia, they were met by representatives of the Australian Rats at each of the cities they stopped. These meetings were widely reported within newspapers Australia wide.
Mr Drelich, who initially translated the book for immediate family members, confirmed the maintenance and promotion of memory is vital for the second and third generations. “There are many of us who are descendants of these brave men who found themselves displaced after having battled in Tobruk and Monte Cassino. Tasmania gave them a home when they found themselves homeless. We have inherited a very special migrant narrative and our family is proud to share it with the broader Tasmanian community”.
The book is available through the Polish Museum and Archives in Australia.
The Polish Museum and Archives in Australia was established in 1991 as an initiative of several people who saw the importance of collecting and preserving historical materials that reflected the individual and community life of Polish immigrants living in Australia.
The aims of the organisation are to:
• Collect and preserve documents, medals, objects, photographs and other materials that document the experience of the Polish community in Australia and that have historical significance to the Polish community and the wider community in Australia.
• Through exhibitions, historical projects and the publication of books and reference material and promote the history and experiences of Polish immigration to and settlement in Australia.
• Make materials available to members of the public and academics for research.
It also offers many opportunities for individuals to explore Polish Australian history and to interact with other individuals discovering their family history.
For further information regarding the book, please contact Ms Lucyna Artymiuk telephone: 0403 655 044.
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