A Silesian insurgent and a pioneer of Szczecin were honoured

The resting place of Franciszek Knapp, a Silesian insurgent and a pioneer of Szczecin, was included in the register of graves of veterans of the struggles for freedom and independence. During the ceremony at the Central Cemetery, the sign "To You Poland" and the plaque "Veteran's Grave" were placed on the grave.

- Western Pomerania is a place where Silesian insurgents found their home after the war. It is very important that we remember the heroes of the fight for Poland's independence, such as Franciszek Knapp. His beautiful biography could be shared with several people. This grave will be a material testimony to the fights of our ancestors for a free Poland - said Krzysztof Męciński, director of the Szczecin branch of the Institute of National Remembrance, who was present at the ceremony.

The ceremony was also attended by Franciszek Knapp's grandsons, the representative of the West Pomeranian Voivode for war veterans and repressed persons Ireneusz Konopa, war veterans, and students of High School No. VII in Szczecin. The honorary escort was provided by the 12th Szczecin Mechanized Division.

Also present was a delegation from the branch of the Institute of National Remembrance in Katowice, with the head of the Branch Office for Commemorating Struggle and Martyrdom, Jan Kwaśniewicz, as this branch of the IPN is conducting the campaign to mark graves with the symbol of remembrance “For You, Poland” throughout Poland.

Flowers were laid and candles were lit at the grave of the insurgent. The sign "To You Poland" was placed on it by Jan Kwaśniewicz and the plaque "Veteran's Grave" was placed by director Krzysztof Męciński. The prayer at the grave of the insurgent was led by Father Prelate Aleksander Ziejewski.

Franciszek Knapp (1898–1984), buried at the Central Cemetery, fought in World War I in the Navy and cavalry of the Imperial Russian Army. Member of the Polish Military Organisation, from 1919 in the gendarmerie, participant in the Third Silesian Uprising. In the interwar period he guarded the Belweder Palace, later in the Border Protection Corps. Participant of the September Campaign in the 38th Infantry Division. Activist of the “Musketeers”, head of the evacuation and observation cell in Department 998 of the II Information and Intelligence Department of the Home Army Main Command. Prisoner of Pawiak and the Groß-Rosen and Mittelbau-Dora camps. After the war, a pioneer of Szczecin, director of the International Forwarding Company “C. Hartwig”, under surveillance by the Security Service, imprisoned in the years 1949-1955. Awarded, among others, The Silver Cross of the Order of Virtuti Militari and the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

(ace)