HILLINGDON Council’s former leader has been presented with two awards for his work helping commemorate the efforts of the Polish Armed Forces during World War Two.

Cllr Sir Ray Puddifoot, the council’s Armed Forces Champion, received the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland and the Gold Medal of Polish Armed Forces.

He received them at a ceremony at the Polish Embassy in London, on Wednesday (23).

They recognise Cllr Puddifoot’s exceptional and sustained contribution to the memory of the Polish Armed Forces who fought with Britain throughout the war.

The Knight’s Cross is a state decoration awarded by the President of Poland to Polish and non-Polish citizens who permanently live outside Poland.

The Gold Medal of the Polish Army is awarded to foreign military personnel, but also civilians who contribute to promoting the history of the Polish Army outside the country’s borders.

Cllr Puddifoot said: “Many thousands of Poles lived and worked in what is now Hillingdon during those years of conflict, with many settling here after the war, too. They’re very much part of the fabric of our borough.

"I hope what we’ve done in Hillingdon adequately reflects our gratitude to the men and women of Poland who fought for, and helped retain, our freedom."

The Polish Air Force contribution to the war effort was recognised at RAF Northolt, in Ruislip, with the unveiling of the Polish Air Force Memorial in 1948. The memorial is now owned and maintained by the borough.

The Remembrance Garden, adjacent to the memorial, opened in 2015 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

In spring 2021, the Polish Air Force Exhibition was opened at the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge.

The Polish Air Force Heritage Trail takes in all the key sites in the borough and can be followed using a smartphone or interactive map.