Polish family helped to track down relative’s lost grave

Over 60 years after the tragic death of a worker during the construction of the Briton Ferry Bridge, family members from Poland have now been able to visit their relative’s grave with help from the Council’s cemetery service.

Jan Pojasek was only a teenager when, during the German occupation of Poland in World War II, he was transported to Germany to undertake forced labour. He managed to escape and eventually joined the allied army. After the war Wales became Jan’s second homeland and he was working in the construction industry until his tragic death in a terrible accident on the 8^th January 1952, aged only 26. His funeral was organised by his friends, but because of the Iron Curtain, none of his family could attend.

Last year the Council received an email from Dawid Kutryn, who had been searching for the grave of his great-uncle for some time. The family had very few details and language barriers had in the past prevented them from finding out more about their relative.

After extensive research in the Council archives, the exact location and ownership of the grave was identified and the family notified. Council staff then received some items of tribute which were placed on the grave and photos sent back to the Kutryn family.

Details were also passed on to Angela Healey, a local member of Catholic charity the St Vincent De Paul Society, who arranged for the commemorative stone on the grave to be sent to a stonemason for cleaning and restoration.

A service of rededication and a blessing of the grave took place last May by Polish priest, Fr. Artur Strzepka in a ceremony attended by members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Neath, Cemeteries staff and Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr. Ted Latham.

Angela also visited the West Glamorgan Archives to track down newspaper articles from the time to shed more light on the tragic accident.

Last month Dawid and family made the trip from Poland to Briton Ferry where they were finally able to visit Jan’s resting place in Llantwit Cemetery, as well as the scene of the tragic accident.

They were accompanied throughout their visit by members of St. Joseph’s Church who welcomed them to holy mass and arranged a small ceremony to bless the grave.

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Cllr Ali Thomas OBE commented: “I am extremely pleased that the Council was able to play its part in such a touching story. Our Cemeteries staff have gone above and beyond to ensure that the Kutryn family could be united with their relative’s grave after all these years.”

Before returning to Poland, the family visited the office of Neath Port Talbot Mayor Cllr Sheila Penry to pass on a gift of thanks for the Council’s help and the warm reception they had received during their stay.

Dawid Kutryn said: “Thank you everyone engaged in help for our family. It was really fantastic, that God let us meet in Wales people with great hearts. We will never forget about this and will always be thankful for everything.”

“Everything has been over our expectations. The entire trip was organised by the St Vincent De Paul Society who we are thankful for helping us. Being able to visit our relative’s grave after all this time was really moving.”