Knowsley’s Archive contains many stories of individuals’ journeys and experiences, from wartime exploits to stories of the everyday.
One such story is that of Stefan Skura, born on 11 March 1911, who was a Polish National who came to Britain in 1947 as a private in the Polish Resettlement Corps (P.R.C.).
Stefan was a blacksmith by trade, having served his apprenticeship in Łuck, Poland, where he qualified as a journeyman blacksmith after passing the journeyman’s exam in the blacksmith’s craft, Certificate No. 166/39 at the Chamber of Crafts in Łuck on January 27, 1939.
The P.R.C. was created by the British government as a holding unit for Polish armed forces who, having served alongside British forces during World War II, did not wish to return to Poland.
On discharge from the army unit, Stefan, like other former soldiers, had to re-adjust to civilian life. They were placed on the Unemployed list or on the Class ‘W’ Army Reserve. This identified them as eligible for employment. Grants for civilian clothing and a rail warrant were also given, and these could be withdrawn along with wage reductions and paid leave entitlement if the individual did not meet the requirements of discharge.
Personnel had to report to their local police station to apply for a civilian ID card and coupon book for food and clothes. Any subsequent changes of address had to be reported to the police.
Stefan was discharged into civilian life on 2nd February 1948. His address at the time was given as Knowsley Park Camp, Prescot and he went on to live at various addresses in both Prescot and St. Helens. He was employed at the British Insulated Calendars Cable factory (BICC) in Prescot. He married Betty Howard on 1st April 1953 in St Helens and passed away in 1991.
The Stefan Skura Collection (GB1076.SKU) includes a bundle of booklets, such as a national registration identity card and papers, savings books and soldier’s service and pay book, photographs and cards and official documentation concerning alien registration (non-British people had to register with the local police), enlistment and discharge from the Polish Resettlement Corps and other local authority documentation. documents.
Stefan Skura was able to put his skills as a blacksmith to good use in civilian life, and where better to follow his story than in a traditional blacksmith’s forge? This summer, the Stefan Skura Collection is on loan to The Smithy Heritage Centre, Eccleston, St Helens WA10 4RA where it can be viewed weekends, 1:00pm-4:00pm until 17th September 2023. Contact The Smithy by email smithyheritagecentre@hotmail.com for more details.
You can find out more about Knowsley’s heritage by visiting our website http://archives.knowsley.gov.uk/ email infoheritage@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4291/4365.
Knowsley Archives 