PAFMC undertakes major grave restoration.

PAFMC undertakes major grave restoration.

The first phase of a major restoration to the headstones on the graves of two former and prominent members of the Polish Air Force (PAF) has been completed in Northwood Cemetery. Stonemason Francis Sancisi from Made on Earth recently finished cleaning the grave headstone of Air Vice Marshal Mateusz Iżycki. He was the General Inspector of the PAF and also the first Chairman of the Committee, which designed and built the PAF Memorial at South Ruislip.

The cleaning of Air Vice Marshal Mateusz Iżycki’s headstone is part of a £3,000 commission from the Polish Air Force Memorial Committee (PAFMC) for Francis Sancisi to also restore the headstone for Group Captain Jerzy BaJan. He was Senior Polish Liaison Officer RAF Fighter Command and post war the President of the Polish Air Force Association in the UK. He was also a temporary Chairman of the Committee, which designed and built the PAF Memorial, after Air Vice Marshal Mateusz Iżycki retired. (See history of the PAF Memorial at this link https://www.polishairforcememorialcommittee.org/history)

The restoration of Group Captain Jerzy Bajan’s headstone is far more complex. This will be a fine weather project requiring several visits to the cemetery to remove and replace the lead inlay inscription. It is anticipated this will be complete in time for the annual visit of the Dęblin cadets, who always visit Northwood Cemetery after the annual ceremony at the PAF Memorial at South Ruislip.

Francis Sancisi previously completed the restoration, free of charge, for the PAFMC of the headstone for Wing Commander Walerian Żak in Northwood Cemetery in 2019. He also designed and installed the memorial to 303 Sqn pilot Sgt Josef František close to where he lost his life during the Battle of Britain. This memorial was unveiled in September 2022.

The PAFMC is hoping to raise the £3,000 for these important restorations through donations using the Just Giving portal. Just Giving will send donations straight to the PAFMC and automatically reclaim additional Gift Aid of 25% from UK taxpayers.

Donations can be made via Just Giving online at the following link: justgiving.com/campaign/izyckibajan  or by scanning the QR code.