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Commencing at 14.00 hrs. with a gathering and the Medina Marching Band playing from 13.30 hrs.Our Society annually commemorates the defence of Cowes and East Cowes by Polish
destroyer ORP Błyskawica, an event which took place on the night of the 4/5th May 1942
claiming the lives of 70 townspeople from the two towns.
ORP Błyskawica and her sister ship ORP Grom were built in a local shipyard J.S. White & Co.
We will also be commemorating the loss of ORP Grom, which took place in Rombaken
Fiord Norway on 4th of May 1940.
This year the Society will be holding their commemoration event on Sunday 10th of May 2026
on the bandstand on Cowes Parade where memorial plaques dedicated to both destroyers are
placed.
FULL PROGRAM OF EVENTS
Saturday 9th May - EAST COWES
The East Cowes Blitz Walk, (to which all are invited), will leave East Cowes Heritage Centre, 8 Clarence Road, at 10.30 a.m., finishing at Kingston Cemetery. The walk takes one from the town centre on an historic journey relating to the extensive bombing which occurred during the blitz.
At Kingston Cemetery, about noon, there will be a short ecumenical service and laying of wreaths in remembrance at the communal war grave honouring those lost during the raid.
There will be a short commemorative ceremony at King’s Square, (next to Waitrose), at 2pm
Saturday 9th May - COWES
At Holy Trinity Church at 6.15 pm there is a concert by trio Aria di Corda performing Chopin songs. This event is open to all, and ticket sales will be via Island Concerts Ltd or at the door
Sunday 10th May - COWES
At Francki Place, (next to the Painters Arms), at 12 p.m. there will be a short ecumenical service with the laying of wreaths in remembrance of the defence of Cowes and East Cowes by the Cowes and East Cowes built Polish destroyer ORP Blyskawica. The Medina Marching Band will play the respective national anthems.
At COWES’ BANDSTAND there will be held the main commemoration event bringing together representatives from Poland’s diplomatic corps and military personnel along with local civic dignitaries. Medina Marching Band will arrive at 1.30 p.m., and the ceremony will commence at 2 p.m.
The occasion is to commemorate the actions taken by ORP Blyskawica under the command of Capt. Francki and the tragic loss of civilian lives during the blitz on the two towns. There will also be a commemoration to the loss of ORP Grom in 1940, the sister ship to ORP Blyskawica. An ecumenical service will take place including the singing of hymns, laying of wreaths and playing of national anthems as well as speeches which will include a brief history of the event on the wartime blitz on the towns.
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Event Venue
The Parade, Cowes, PO31 7, United Kingdom
Tickets
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