Honouring Exeter's Guardian Angels

A special exhibition, organised by Michael Parrott, will take place at Exeter Guildhall between Monday 11 November and Saturday 16 November 2013.

The event will honour the members of 307 (Polish) Squadron RAF who protected the skies over Exeter during the Second World War and were described as Exeter's Guardian Angels.

During the Blitz of Exeter the outnumbered Polish crews fought bravely against their enemy and had it not been for their presence then the city would have suffered more devastation and almost certainly more people would have been killed. During the two years at Exeter, 21 of the squadron paid the ultimate sacrifice and 19 are buried at Higher Cemetery.

Michael found in his investigations newspaper articles that described an important event that took place outside the West Front of the Cathedral on 15 November 1942, when Exeter became the first British city to be presented with the Polish National Flag due to the close links that the squadron and the city had formed.

The mayor, accepting the flag, said: "The Norman towers of the Cathedral had looked down upon man scenes and changes in the last 800 years, but never had they witnessed a ceremony of greater significance. We shall proudly hang this flag in our Guildhall to remind future generations of what Poland did for us and gave for us in the darkest hours through which this country of ours has passed. May this flag ever be a symbol of our friendship and of the brotherhood of all nations of goodwill."

Michael enquired with the city council as to whether the flag was still at the Guildhall or if it had been mislaid over a period of 70 years. He also suggested that if it had been mislaid then perhaps November 2012 would be a good time to correct the situation.

Exeter City Council have investigated and indeed the whereabouts of the flag over three generations is unknown. They took on board Michael's suggestion and together the Lord Mayor's Office and Michael worked together so that a special event was able to take place last year exactly 70 years after the Polish Flag Ceremony.

At the Guildhall a new Polish flag was blessed by the Lord Mayor's Chaplain, and then in the presence of the Lord Mayor, the Chief Executive and the Leader of City Council, four relatives of squadron personnel and special guests, the Polish flag was raised over the Guildhall for the day, which in Exeter was named 307 Polish Squadron Day. Every year from now, 15 November will be 307 Polish Squadron Day in Exeter where the Polish flag will proudly fly over the Guildhall will be RAF 307 Squadron Day in Exeter and the Lord Mayor will raise the Polish flag over the Guidhall.

During his research, Michael has written a book about the Polish squadron titled Exeter's Guardian Angels. The book, published by Precious Moments in Exeter, is available from the author for £15.00 (email parrott.123@blueyonder.co.uk)

The exhibition is open from Monday 11 November to Wednesday 13 November, 10am-4pm; Thursday 14 November, 1pm-4pm; and Friday 15 November and Saturday 16 November, 10am-4pm.

Pictured: photo of 307 Squadron Leader Jan Michalowski