Hursley Park Camp, Hampshire

[davekey]

I am researching the history of Hursley Park, between Winchester & Southampton in Hampshire.

During my research I became aware that there was some form of Polish Resettlement Camp established in the old army huts in the Park. Marian Sobieraj says in his book on the Polish Dependents' Hostel in Hiltingbury that it was a satellite camp for Hiltingbury.

Can anybody help me with information about the camp (dates, size, location and any stories, pictures etc. etc.)?

I know that several of the older residents of the village recalled Polish soldiers in the grounds (though these may have been earlier, maybe 1940?). Also, the Polish Military archives were moved there after the war.

But beyond that I have absolutely nothing, so any help would be fantastic! I don't even know precisely where the camp would have been (there were 2 D-Day assembly camps in the grounds) so which part, or parts were used I don't know.

Also, some of the ex-Supermarine workers visited the Huts after they had been abandoned and saw one of them had been beautifully painted. They had assumed it was by the US soldiers, maybe it was by the Polish? Can anyone remember or suggest where I can find out?

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Sincerely
Dave

[suep]

Does anyone have a list of who was in Hursley Park Camp please? I am trying to track down my father in law who I believe might have been at this camp. The only info I have is birth around 1926 and surname of Wawrzyniak. He might have been in this camp with his brother Czeslaw or his parents Mikolay and Florentyna. Many thanks

[senmurv]

The Polish camp at Hursley Park is mentioned in _Driftwood Cast Ashore_, a memoir by Prof. Jan B. Deregowski about his days as a young Polish refugee. There isn't a list of the inhabitants in the memoir, but you might find it useful and enlightening to read. Dr. Deregowski is still alive and reachable by email, also.