W/O. Tadeusz Szymański - Died 24th January 1992 Age 84.
I happened to be at Scottow Cemetery near Coltishall in Norfolk when I spotted this grave. Not one from the CWGC but looking very much like one.
Then I realised who is buried there and quickly decided that he should have an obituary page.
Tadeusz or Tadek as he used to be known served in 316 (Polish) fighter squadron and was the highest V1 (Diver) ‘ace’ in the squadron with 8 victories.
On the 10th April 1942 he claimed Bf109 as a ‘probable north of Hardelot, two days later on the 12th April, he shot down a Fw190 south of Gravelines.
I understand that his final years were spent at Whitlingham hospital in Trowse, Norwich. His wife owned a jewellers shop in Norwich which later his son took over.
I would appreciate any further information that could be added to this fine Polish fighter pilot.Right: His grave at Scottow Cemetery – also shown below. (Both available at higher resolution to interested parties )
Comments from a Mr. John Abbott who knew him and contacted us in July 2014:
“Ted” as we knew him worked as a litho printer at Jarrolds Printing of Norwich from early 1970’s until late 1980’s. He may have been there earlier and remained later but those date are definite because I worked there then. He was a very quiet, gentle man who spoke little about himself. A lovely man.
I woke up this morning thinking about “Ted” who I certainly hadn’t seen or even thought about for 30+ years, which is why I felt prompted to search for him. I was overjoyed to find him remembered on your site. Sadly Jarrolds Printing closed down a few years ago so even if there were photos they have probably been lost now. He really was a very quiet and modest man.
We knew that he had been a pilot and was rumoured to have invented the technique of flying along side V1 rockets and ‘flipping them over’ with a wing tip so that they crashed into the North Sea, rather than landing in England. However if you asked him he would just shrug it off with a smile.