Polish submarine ORP Orzeł and Rosyth

Aim

Help me share this amazing story with all ages in the community. A famous lost Polish sub with forgotten Royal Navy ships defending freedom.

                                 
I am Roger Pickering. I love local history - especially when it coincides with big international events!                              

I am asking for help so that I can share this amazing story of adventure and values
in local community outreach for, schools, youth organisations, adult groups & with visitor to the site.

Since 2013 I have been researching and telling stories about how Polish Forces came to Scotland early in the war and helped defend us from invasion and then worked tirelessly to liberate mainland Europe, only to see another tyrant take over their homeland in the end [Stalin] It is a sobering story!

For me it is very important to honour our Polish allies of World War Two & to remind people of what it takes to have good, healthy alliances for future security & peace in Europe. Our freedom comes at a big cost sometimes! 

Since 2019 I wanted to create a WW2 memorial in Rosyth. A twin memorial telling of the 1939 rendezvous of the famous Polish submarine ORP Orzel with Royal Navy destroyer HMS Valorous of the Rosyth Escort Flotilla at the Isle of May. And her  A story of international cooperation & friendship.  

The memorial garden tells the powerful story of two vessels meeting, the Polish crew immortalised in films but now lost at sea somewhere & the forgotten crew of a forgotten escort vessel. It also represents the 2nd Submarine Flotilla in Rosyth with the mother ship HMS Forth. Plus the forgotten but significant Rosyth Escort Force [HRH Prince Philip served in this force on HMS Wallace – identical ship to Valorous] And by inference all the ships & crews of both Navies.

In partnership with & support from these groups & others we are delivering that memorial garden: Damen Naval, Vlissingen N.L, Babcock International, Rosyth, the Polish Consulate in Edinburgh, Fife Council, The Scottish Government, The Royal Navy & the Polish Navy Museum  

I kickstarted the project for the memorial being constructed in Rosyth by creating an alliance. Next I want to engaging more with the community, sharing the story and the values that underpin the story. Courage, international friendship & how to navigate life's trials and tribulations. Plus I want to see if we can forge stronger ties with the people of Gdynia [Poland] and Vlissingen [The Netherlands] - for this story links us together. Perhaps in time we can organise international exchange visits?

In these interactions I will be asking what the communities wants next.

This would be though surveys after talks and activities & in collecting anecdotal evidence in less formal interactions.

This Polish submarine was built by public subscription just before the war - the Polish government didn't have the money in the budget, so the Polish people gave their own money to have two of these modern subs built for the navy.

Rosyth played a major part in World War Two, here we make a start in telling the stories of such an important dockyard, the workers, the vessels and sailors of many allied nations.

Costings:

Ongoing research & planning £1000

Comics for local schools etc: £1000 for 1000 copies.

Staffing at £20 per hour: Yearly 200 hours = £4000

Public Liability Insurance  One year = £500

Create a colourful, engaging pop up indoor display = £2500

Travel costs £1000 a year

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 9th August 2026 at 4:59pm