Guide Others as You Would Like to Be Guided

"Guide others as you would like to be guided" – these were the words imparted to me by my mentors. Since 2007, I have had the privilege of meeting hundreds of incredible individuals as a tour guide. Together, we have explored the underground wonders of Toruń and marveled at the cityscape from the tops of its towers. Each tour has been a unique and unforgettable experience, with its own captivating story.

I am immensely grateful for the recognition "Guide of the year" I have received. It is a tremendous honor and serves as motivation for me to continue guiding for many more years to come. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

One aspect of my work as a guide that holds special significance for me is the opportunity to assist and prepare visits for families of prisoners of war held at Stalag XXA in Toruń and Stalag XXB in Malbork. These brave individuals endured unimaginable hardships during World War II, and it is my duty to ensure their stories are preserved and shared.

Stalag XXA in Toruń stands as a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of those held captive there. As I lead visitors through the remains of the camp, I strive to recreate the atmosphere of the time, allowing us to honor the memory of the prisoners and gain a deeper understanding of their experiences.

Similarly, Stalag XXB in Malbork, nestled near the iconic Malbork Castle, provides an opportunity to delve into the lives of countless prisoners. By meticulously researching and preparing for each tour, I aim to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the camp's history and the stories of those who were confined within its walls.

Receiving this distinguished recognition is truly motivating. It reinforces the importance of the work I do, not only for the families of the prisoners but also for the preservation of history. It inspires me to continue guiding visitors and sharing the untold stories that deserve to be heard.

Comments

Thanks this trip we've discovered new facts about POW from Stalag XXA in 1945

That was wonderful trip. During three days we saw couple of places connected with POW path of Jack Stansfield. Moreover thanks his son Michael we saw notes with memories of last days in Stalag XXA in Torun. In opposit to all facts which says that prisoners left camp in late december 1945 Jack wrote that they started to march on 21 january! That means that lasts groups of POW left camp in 10 days before Torun was liberated. Fortunatley Jack survived afeter he escaped from march. He met russians army and polish partizants. Below we presents you short memories about Jack and trip to Poland... My father was called Jack Stansfield, he was born in August 1918. He was brought up in the market town of Malton in North Yorkshire where his parents were publicans. He joined the Territorial Army in March 1939 and was mobilised on the declaration of war. Jack enlisted in his local regiment joining the 5th Battalion of the Green Howards. After a short time at the Regimental HQ in Richmond, North...

Living conditions in Stalag XXA

Monthly bath in Stalag XXA Living conditions Lawrence Travers Dorins a former POW describes „fort XI was surrounded by a high bank and the fence around it with gates across the entrance road, on one side there was also a dry moat with a bridge on it. The bridge led to a tunnel” The fortress was covered with trees, bushes and earth so that the fortress could not be visible from the bird's eye. Prisoners slept in caponiers where initially were supposed to sleep Prussian soldiers. Yet PoW describes the rooms as if there were designed as rooms in the concentration camps. Rooms looked as semi tunnels. “The perpendicular walls were about 3m high and the height of the arched roof was about 5 m, wooden bunks provided sleeping spaces. Each room had only two small windows which obviously allowed no ventilation. Due to the end of the night the air was solid and everyone would have a headache due to oxygen starvation” .In those rooms kept approximately 32 men. There were three shelves whe...

Just few hours to understand life in Stalag XXA(20A) in Torun

"I will always be grateful to Pawel for helping me understand better what happened to my father when he was captured by the German army after the fighting at Dunkirk. Like many former British POWs, Dad was reluctant to tell his children very much about what he had endured during the war. We knew he spent most of the war in German POW camps, in particular one in Poland. From his army records we discovered that camp was Staleg XX-A. I contacted Pawel at very short notice recently when I was in traveling with my husband in Europe. Pawel was able to meet me in Torun to walk me through the history of Staleg XX-A and some of the forts of Torun. My father, John Wilkinson, was with the British Expeditionary Force, serving in the Light Tank Regiment of the 1st East Riding Yeomanry. We believe he fought at Cassel in France before being captured. It was extraordinary for me to walk with Pawel at Torun where the British POWs disembarked, knowing my father would hav...

WARTIME GUIDES

Search This Blog