St. Illtyd’s Church and the Story of Leading Aircraftman Leon Jan Watorowski
St. Illtyd’s Church and the Story of Leading Aircraftman Leon Jan Watorowski Early Life and Service in Poland St Illtyd’s Church, Pembrey, Carmarthenshire Roman Grzanka Leading Aircraftman Leon Jan Watorowski , whose grave stands beside those of Roman Grzanka and Wacław Oyrzanowski at St Illtyd’s Church, Pembrey, Carmarthenshire , represents another thread in the wider story of the Polish Air Force in exile. Born on 22 March 1920 in Chełmno , he belonged to the younger generation of Polish airmen who came of age in the tense years preceding the Second World War. Before the outbreak of hostilities he served in the Polish Air Force, part of the expanding cadre of pilots and ground crew preparing to defend the re‑established Polish state. Escape from Occupied Poland and Journey to Britain When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, Watorowski—like so many of his compatriots—escaped through Romania, beginning the long and uncertain journey that took him first to France and ultimately...
