MELVILLE HOUSE

[dave]

Hi,
Is it possible for anyone to advise if the Polish Forces ever occupied a large mansion house in Fife Scotland.The name of the house is Melville house which is situated near Ladybank and not far from the town of Cupar.I know the Polish Airborne forces were at Largo house (Monkey Grove) this I'm also interested in.
Any information or images? Many thanks,

Regards,
Dave

[edwinnie]

Hi Dave, I am researching the Polish forces in Fife too.
There’s a Creative Commons photo of Melville House by James Allan on www.geograph.org.uk/photo/121786 (and below it, a map). Also a similar one on the SCRAN website www.scran.ac.uk/ and a photo of Melville Lodges which look as if they are in the estate grounds. Various web pages on the internet suggest the house was where auxiliary resistance fighters were trained – and was indeed a billet for Polish troops. Just a couple of days ago I posted a question on another forum asking for information about ‘a radio station on the hill’ at Ladybank. My particular interest is Polish Signals in Scotland, and the Polish GHQ Signals Battalion, London. Just started sifting what I have. Best wishes…

[arnes]

Hello edwinnie, I am also interested in the Polish Signals in Scotland please see posting dated 28th Nov 2009 re my Father Jan Kathke. I have two photos that he had taken in Scotland whilst with the division. Best Wishes Arnes

[edwinnie]

Hi Arnes,
Yes Robert Ostrycharz on www.ostrycharz.free-online.co.uk/ is a great guy.

You have photos? I have photos too, some of places not yet identified in Scotland and London.

My father was in France, Norway, Italy and Scotland, latterly with the Polish General Headquarters Signals Battalion, London. I have an old 1952 MOD service report but need to contact APC Polish Enquiries to see if they can provide more information now. He spoke several languages. I still have a tiny crystal radio he made for me. Also one of the small brown suitcases which he used to fit radios into. Then he’d listen for messages, sadly some never received.

At the moment there's a discussion "Ladybank Fife radio station?" on the Secret Scotland website www.secretscotland.org.uk/forum/ in the Military forum.
You can contact me there via private message if you like.