Sophia's Challenging Journey

By Sophia Turol

Sophia Turol was born in Poland. In 1939 came World War II and all her dreams and desires vanished. She was at the age of 12 when Russians occupied Poland and sent her family out of Poland to labour camps in Siberia. Her life was very sad and hard. In 1944 Sophia, her little brother and 731 other polish orphans arrived in Pahiatua, New Zealand. This book is a true account of Sophia's journey from Poland to New Zealand and the various challenges she encountered on the way.

"Sometimes in life people are faced with the unexpected. World War II from 1939 to 1945 overshadowed my childhood. Deportation to Siberia, hard labour, starvation, loss of parents, brother, relatives and many friends, marked my face with tears. I had to be strong and believe that one day things would change and I would walk the grounds of freedom again. It is amazing how strong physically, mentally and spiritually one can become when danger to survive invades the path and overshadows one's life. It is up to us to do our best to overcome unwelcome tribulations and say: I won't give in, I believe in myself, I will challenge, I will survive!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sophia Turol
• Release date: Jan 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311883292

Sophia Turol

Sophia Turol not only wrote and published a book about her life, but is also an artist and wrote many poems. A very talented and creative person.

Book preview

Sophia’s

Challenging

Journey

By Sophia Turol

This is a first published print. Printed in April 2010.

Copyright © 2010 by Sophia Turol. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, stored or transmitted in any form by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval systems without the prior written permission of Sophia Turol, except where permitted by law.

Contact of Sophia can be made through her daughter, Yusha Turol, on [e-mail].

The dates and names of people listed in this book are from recollection. I apologise if there are any incorrect dates or incorrectly spelt names. All information in the book is as accurate as I was possibly able to verify.

I welcome any feedback.

Note: The picture on the cover is an artwork painted by me. I had a strong desire to paint as a child in Poland and then continued painting when I arrived in New Zealand. My paintings are hanging on walls in New Zealand, Australia, USA and UK.

I quite often included birds in my paintings as they represent freedom, love and peace.

All poems in this book have been written by me.

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to my lovely children and grandchildren; Christine (Chrissy), Stanley (Steve), Barbara, Mary (Marisha), Joanna (Yusha), Zosia, Jonas, JJ and Chloe. I love them all very much. They make me laugh, make me smile and make me happy and have shared with me all the joys in life.

Recent Photo of Sophia

Acknowledgements

I wish to express my sincere thanks to my daughter Joanna (Yusha) for helping to complete this book.

Also many thanks to Christine, Stanley (Steve), Barbara and Mary (Marisha) for encouraging me to write my story.

The greatest thank you is to the New Zealand Government for giving a home, care, support and understanding to all the Polish orphans who arrived in New Zealand in 1944.

The hospitality, kindness and generosity of New Zealand people were tremendous and it will never ever be forgotten. Thank you very much.

Contents

Page

Chapter 1 A Brief Family History 1

Chapter 2 World War II Started

Chapter 3 Deportation from Poland

Chapter 4 Travel to Siberia

Chapter 5 Re-uniting with Relatives

Chapter 6 Journey to Samarkand

Chapter 7 Life in Persia (Iran)

Chapter 8 Arrival at Pahiatua, New Zealand

Chapter 9 Nursing at Napier, New Zealand

Chapter 10 My Life in Palmerston North

Chapter One

A Brief Family History

On the 10th November 1900 in Olszyc (Poland) a little baby girl was born to Julian and Rosalia Soszynski. They christened her Marta Leokadja (my mother).

T he arrow marks the approximate location of Olszyc (not named on map)

Marta Leokadja Soszynski – the photo of Marta was taken two months before World War II started

Marta’s parents were Roman Catholics and they attended church services every Sunday. All the family followed their parents’ religious beliefs.

Marta had three brothers: Peter, Maryan and Kazik.

.Peter Soszynski - the above photo was taken in 1928. Peter lost his life in World War II in Katyn.

Maryan Soszynski and his wife. The photo of Maryan Soszynski was taken in 1935. Maryan survived World War II and was reunited with his wife and children and settled back in Poland.

Kazik Soszynski - the photo of Kazik Soszynski was taken before the war in 1936. Kazik never married and died in Cairo in Egypt during World War II.

Marta also had three sisters: Stefania (Stefa), Julia and Joanna; Joanna being the youngest of the family.

Stefania Jozwicki (nee Soszynski) and her husband Mietek. The photo of Stefania is on her wedding day, taken in 1926.

Julia Lanik (nee Soszynski) and her husband Gabriel. The above photo was taken in 1930 in Poland. Gabriel was a Police Superintendent and it was believed he was killed at Katyn during WWII.

Joanna Soszynski (far left) with good friends. The photo of Joanna Soszynski was taken in 1936. Joanna joined the Polish army and survived World War II. She married after the war and resided in England.

Marta grew up to be a very attractive young lady. She was five feet, six inches tall. She was slim, with dark hair and beautiful blue eyes.

Marta’s father had a fairly big farm in Olszyc and Marta’s brothers were fond of farming so together they ran the farm

Marta’s mother’s maiden name was Garlinska and Marta’s grandmother was born in Warsaw. Marta’s parents often took the children to Warsaw to stay with their grandparents, mostly on school holidays or weekends.

I believe her grandparents were well off. They had many friends and amongst them lawyers and Marta’s cousin was a lawyer also.

At the age of 19, Marta was introduced to a young law student named Tysiek. He was quite handsome with blonde hair, blue eyes and good physical build. Marta and Tysiek formed a serious romantic relationship and after six months of courting, Tysiek proposed. Marta accepted the proposal and they got engaged. They planned to marry after Tysiek graduated as a lawyer. He had another two years to complete his study.

Tysiek – Taken in 1920

In early June 1920, Marta and her mother went to Warsaw for a weekend and stayed with Marta’s grandparents. Tysiek lived in Warsaw so at the same time Marta spent some romantic time with Tysiek.

Returning home to Olszyc by train, they occupied a carriage with a tall lady, dark eyes and dark brown hair. Next to her sat a very handsome, tall gentleman in an officer’s uniform. Marta and her mother sat opposite them. The gentleman smiled politely and said hello. Smiles were exchanged. Then the gentleman got up and introduced himself and said My name is Julian Turski and this is my mother Stefania.

Conversation began to flourish. Without any hesitation Julian moved to sit next to Marta and his mother sat next to Marta’s mother. The journey was interesting as they had plenty to talk about and found out a little about each other.

We live in Zalesie, near Lukow Julian said to Marta. What about you? he asked.

We live in Olszyc near Siedlce Marta replied.

Oh, that’s not far from us Julian smiled and seemed quite pleased with what he had heard.

Their conversation continued. The train was slowing down as it was approaching Olszyc.

Julian asked Marta for her address. Without any hesitation Marta gave her address to Julian as she was very impressed with him. They said goodbye and the train moved further to Lukow.

Julian Turski – taken in 1921

From the first meeting Marta and Julian were attracted to each other. Of course Julian looked rather handsome in his officer’s uniform (he was a Police Officer in the Army). He was tall, with dark hair, brown eyes and quite a gentleman. So it was not surprising Marta felt quite happy in his company.

What a nice young man Julian is Marta said to her mother.

Yes mother replied. Do you think he is nicer than Tysiek? Please remember my darling that you are engaged to Tysiek so forget about Julian mother said.

Yes, I know. But to be honest, after this visit I have noticed that my relationship with Tysiek is cooling down. Perhaps distance doesn’t help as we don’t see each other often Marta replied.

Oh don’t be ridiculous. It is your imagination her mother said.

Marta didn’t stop thinking about Julian. That evening she went to bed early but could not sleep well. Perhaps Julian was on her mind. She got up from bed the next morning earlier than usual, pottered around the house, did some baking and some housework.

Oh you are a very busy young lady this morning her mother remarked.

Yes, I felt I had to get up early as I had a rather restless night Marta replied.

At about 10am in the morning there was a knock at the door. Marta opened the door. A beautiful bouquet of flowers was delivered.

Oh who on earth is sending flowers to me? said Marta.

She pulled out the note and it read:

Dear Marta,

I was so delighted to meet you. I would very much like to meet with you again.

Kind regards

Julian

Marta was excited about this and decided to see Julian again. Naturally Marta’s parents were not pleased about Marta’s decision as they wanted her to marry Tysiek. In fact Marta had an argument with her parents about it. But Marta insisted on meeting Julian again. She was very stubborn about it.

After a few visits from Julian, Marta became very fond of Julian and decided to break off her engagement to Tysiek. Romance between Julian and Marta blossomed. They fell in love and after nine months of courting they decided to marry. It was against her parents’ wishes.

A small wedding took place in 1922. Julian studied agriculture and always wanted to own his own farm. He had obtained a diploma in agriculture and was ready to buy a farm.

They both were very happy together and in 1923 a little baby boy was born in Emilianowka near Siedlce. Julian and Marta christened him Konstanty (Constantine) as it was also Julian’s father’s name. Julian’s father was killed in a war in 1886.

Marta and Julian – taken in 1922 after their wedding

Grandad Konstanty (Constantine) from father’s side on the right hand side.

When Poland was occupied by Russia (before World War I) many Polish men were taken to fight with the Russian army, the reason Constantine is in a Russian uniform. They were forced to fight with the