Found this fresco on a wall in St Andrews. Do not know about its history and significance. Can any one explain, please.

by Background_Skill4932

12 comments

  1. Polish Soldier to St Andrews City… WWII? Lots of Polish fought for the Brits.*

    *edit – I’m a Kiwi, we learn WWII ANZAC history down this part of the world rather than UK-centric so apologies if I am wrong.

  2. Polish soldiers who fought for the British army during ww2 were billeted there, I believe.

  3. It has more to do with many polish soldiers being based in Scotland during WW2 than “fighting for the Brits”

  4. Apparently during WW2 a polish military unit was stationed in St. Andrews.

  5. After Poland fell in WW2 a lot of soldiers of the government in exile were stationed at Leuchars RAF, so this was done in tribute and as a thank you for being hosts to them. I believe there is also a tribute in Leuchars but I could be mistaken.

  6. It’s [a mosaic donated to the town by three Polish soldiers stationed there in 1941](https://www.zielonybalonik-bookclub.org.uk/polish-soldiers-in-fife/). During WWII there was a [Polish army camp at Tentsmuir](https://secretscotland829724255.wordpress.com/2022/06/04/polish-camp-in-the-woods/) (north of Leuchars) – you can still find the remains of it in the woods and I believe there is a well with the Polish Eagle on it. Many of them were also billeted in St Andrews and Cupar. General Sikorsky even gifted a collection of Polish coins to the University. It was a Polish soldier who invented the mine detector whilst stationed in the town too.

    The soldiers stationed in Fife were responsible for building defences along the east coast – those big concrete tank blocks you see along the foreshore.

    There’s a history of Polish soldiers leaving small monuments to their time in Scotland – see also the [Great Polish map of Scotland near Peebles](https://www.baronycastle.com/about-barony-castle/the-great-polish-map-at-barony-castle/) and [the ceiling in what’s now the MacArts centre in Gala](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-67284564.amp).

    EDIT – to add [link and photo of Polish Soldiers at Tentsmuir](https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Polish_Army_in_Britain,_1940-1947_H5493.jpg).

    If you’re interested in the history of Polish soldiers in Scotland during WWII – The Lion and the Eagle is a collection of interviews with soldiers and telling the story of how they got here, their life over here and their post-war lives (very often lived out in exile).

    https://preview.redd.it/0he5oh2kydwe1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=026458c52ec2f873fbc4ad7f51183a1ff94f8317

  7. Not going to lie, spent way too long trying to figure out what ‘Tost And Rewscity’ meant. Didn’t think it was Polish but was confused.

  8. There was a soldier
    a Polish soldier,
    He came from far away, and stayed
    for many a day/
    This Polish soldier
    there was none bolder,
    He did donate to us
    a big win-dae!

  9. Semi-related but if you find this interesting you should check out the Great Polish Map of Scotland. Built by a Polish war veteran.

  10. Isn’t that a watchman, with the image of the Lord Jesus behind him. The message would be to watch out and be vigilant because you know not the time nor the day when the Son of Man comes.

    Matthew 24:36
    ESV “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

    Isiah 52;6 Isaiah 62:6 ESV

    On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest.

    So it is about keeping watch over the signs of the times and being prepared. God bless you.

  11. The mural, located on the wall of St. Andrews Town Hall, was painted by Polish soldiers in 1942. It depicts a Polish soldier in uniform with Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, in the background.
    The phrase “Polish Soldier To Stand Rews City” is an archaic form or adaptation of the English meaning “A Polish soldier to the city of St. Andrews.” The word “Rews” is an older form of “St. Andrews.” The phrase expresses the Polish soldiers’ presence and gratitude to the city that welcomed them.
    It is a poignant reminder of a time of alliance and solidarity between Poland and Scotland in the face of adversity.

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