History

Poland

Battle of Britain 1940

The Battle of Britain Roll of Honour in the Royal Air Force chapel at the east end of Henry VII’s chapel records the names of 35 Polish pilots who died with UK, Commonwealth and Allied pilots during this Battle. The furled flag of Poland appears in the memorial window, designed by Hugh Easton, together with those of other allied nations. The badges of the Polish squadrons (302 and 303) are shown on the right hand side of the second tier.

Maximilian Kolbe

Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. He is among 10 statues of modern martyrs above the west entrance of the Abbey. The statue was carved by Andrew Tanser and unveiled in 1998. Kolbe was born in 1894 in Zdunska Wola and lectured at the Franciscan seminary at Cracow and his movement Militia Immaculatae was given land near Warsaw for their work. He was killed by the Nazis in Auschwitz extermination camp in 1941.

George Stepney

George Stepney (1663-1707) Diplomat and minor poet, Stepney is buried in the south choir aisle and has a monument attributed to sculptor Grinling Gibbons. He was educated at Westminster School and during his career was envoy to the King of Poland.