Poland, Republic. A Cross of Valour Group To Marian Andrzej Chroscicki, Free Polish Army

Cross of Valour 1944 (in bronze, measuring 43.7 mm (w) x 43.7 mm (h), original ribbon); two Polish Ex-Serviceman's Association "SPK" in Argentina 50th Anniversary Crosses 1930-1980 (in bronzed metal, measuring 39.8 mm (w) x 45.3 mm (h) and 40 mm (w) x 45.2 mm (h) inclusive of their integral suspensions, original ribbons); and Polish Ex-Serviceman's Association "SPK" in Australia Cross 1983 (in bronze gilt, measuring 38 mm (w) x 38 mm (h), original ribbon with pinback). Un-mounted, near extremely fine. Accompanied by a 2nd Polish Corps Patch (white embroidered insignia, on a red wool base, black cotton backer, measuring 44 mm (w) x 50 mm (h)); two Poland Shoulder Flashes (white embroidered lettering, on a red wool base, white wool backer, measuring 62 mm (w) x 21 mm (h) each); a Map of Poland 1943 (printed in four-colour inks, marked "Reproduced & Printed by Survey of Palestine, Nov. 1943 / For the Publications Section of the Polish Army in the East", with multiple calculations in pencil on the reverse, measuring 625 mm (w) x 795 mm (h)); a Map of the Warsaw District 1962 (printed in four-colour inks, marked "Panstwowe Przedsiebiorstwo Wydawnictw Kartograficznych Warszawa 1962" (State-Owned Enterprise of Kartograficzne Publishing Houses Warsaw 1962), measuring 805 mm (w) x 550 mm (h)); a Polish to English Expressions Translation Booklet (authored by B.J. Pelc, dated 1947, printed in black ink, forty-eight pages plus cover, dual-staple bound, measuring 123 mm (w) x 183 mm (h)); an Eleven Songs/Poems Booklet (printed by "N. MacNEILL & CO., PRESS LTD., London", containing sixteen pages in black ink, dual-staple bound, measuring 100 mm (w) x 132 mm (h)); thirty Photographs of Polish Men and Women in Uniform (individuals or in groups, posed or marching, one with a motorcycle, many of which were taken in Egypt, including two with Egyptian soldiers, two have the pyramids in the background, in black and white, most with a matte finish, some with a gloss finish, twenty-nine measuring 110 mm (w) x 85 mm (h), one measuring 45 mm (w) x 46 mm (h)); forty Personal Photographs of people in civilian life (in black and white, with a gloss or matte finish, in various sizes); a copy of a Certificate confirming his Baptism (dated 1952); along with a typed sheet from the veteran's son detailing his father's history.

Footnote: Marian Andrzej Chroscicki was born on November 30, 1925, at Walerow, Sokolow Podlaski District, Poland, the son of Jan Chroscicki and Leokadia Chroscicki (nee Rydzewska) and was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church at Walerow. He had one sister, Stella and lived with his parents until Germany invaded Poland. He was moved to a Labour Camp until he joined the Polish Free Army, serving in the Reconnaissance Division based in Alexandria, Egypt until the mid to late 1940s, when he went to England, where he was posted to a Transit Camp in Buckinghamshire. Through the years, Chroscicki became self taught in the English language and took a strong interest in photography. He married his wife in 1958 and was offered a position in the micro dot printing department of RBS, until he retired in the 1990s. He died on June 11, 2017, at the age of 91.