Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovak Veterans

Welcome to our official Instagram account. Our aim is to ‘To honour and remember all Free Czechoslovak WWII veterans and service personnel who fought with the Allies’. 🇨🇿🇸🇰🇬🇧 If you are family or friends of these veterans or someone who is interested and passionate about what they did, then we hope you will follow and share our posts. We do all we can to assure our work is truthful and use as many primary sources and checked secondary ones as we can. However, we are happy to hear from anyone who knows more or something different to us, and if appropriate investigate and amend where needed.📚🔍 We amalgamated with the Association for Czechoslovak Legionaries Abroad in September 2019 to create one national association with branches in Slovakia and Czech Republic.🤝 We are responsible for organising and holding memorial events at #Brookwood (May and October) and #Cholmondeleycastle (July)to commemorate our WWII veterans. We look forward to welcoming you to our next event.🪦💐 📌Commemorative events and our activities take a great deal of time and effort to organise and of course money. To ensure we can continue to undertake these in the future we need your support. Please can we ask you donate whatever you can either by: 👉Directly online through your bank account Account Name MAFCSV (Memorial Ass. for Free Czechoslovak Veterans) Account No 40953568 Sort Code 30 99 09 IBAN GB86LOYD30990940953568 BIC LOYDGB21187 👉Or use Paypal link /donate/?hosted_button_id=BJ2KK7PY45WNC 👉Or via cheque to be made out to MAFCSV, and sent to John Polak, Treasurer, Fir Trees, Cranbourne, Sutton Scotney, Winchester, Hants SO21 3NA Every donation goes towards our events, poppy wreaths or creating new projects to remember the veterans. ❤️Thank you #MAFCSV #wewillrememberthem #freeczechoslovakveterans #lestweforget #nezapomeneme #nezabudneme 🇨🇿🇸🇰🇬🇧 #BrookwoodCemetery #CzechoslovakMemorial #cholmendeleygardens #brookwoodcivilianplot

📕Today the MAFCSV are proud to announce the launch of a new book called ‘Plot 28; Tragedy and Triumph, Brookwood, 1940-1955’ by Dr George Scott. After being surrounded by myths and secrecy the real history behind the national war memorial, completed sixty six years ago, is at last revealed. It is a definitive account as to how the Czechoslovak armed forces, who died during the Second World War and are buried around the United Kingdom came to be honoured by a monument at Brookwood Military Cemetery. In making that journey, ‘Plot 28’ follows the commemoration process from its inception by Sir Fabian Ware and the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC). It outlines the twists, turns, delays and strokes of sheer luck that finally enabled a truly remarkable means of honouring the Czechoslovak fallen to be established. Aligned to that achievement, the narrative identifies the small group of key British and Czechoslovak people that by their dedication and determination made the project happen, often working in an environment which threatened a successful outcome. As part of the tempestuous journey of ‘Plot 28’ there is also an account of how the creation and progress of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, dedicated to British and allied service personnel at Olšany in Prague, became entwined with the Czechoslovak commemorative sites in the United Kingdom. Through his detailed research Dr George Scott uncovers the factors that contributed to the unique and innovative design of the monument and headstones, as well as... Whole text on our Facebook page. Link: /506916773102765/posts/1165322730595496/?d=n We have a limited edition that we are selling, so please don’t wait. The cost of the hardcover book is £25 and includes postage in the UK. We are happy to post abroad, but additional postage costs will need to be added. To order your copy now email chair@mafcsv.co.uk #neverforget #brookwoodmilitarycemetery #plot28 #czechoslovakveterans #wewillrememberthem #olšanycemetery #MAFCSV #CWGC #IWGC #fabianware 🇨🇿🇸🇰🇬🇧📖

🇬🇧🇨🇿🇸🇰🤝🪖 This week the Czech Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Karel Řehka and Czech Air Force Commander Major General Petr Čepelka and their team visited the UK Czech Ambassador H.E. Marie Chatardová, and General Beran on the occasion of the bilateral Czech-UK foreign policy and security consultations called “Anthropoid Forum”. Members of the MAFCSV and Children of Heroes families were invited to meet them and discuss the veterans’ stories and work we do. I think all the visitors were suitably impressed with the passion and dedication we have and the lengths we are going to, to keep their memory alive in the UK and through our International Team in Slovakia. What was very obvious was the close working relationship our Czech Military representatives have with our British counterparts both here in the UK and through our Ambassadors in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Something that has been built upon the strong foundations our predecessors created back in the 1940’s. In these uncertain times being able to reply on friends and allies who have similar perspectives and values is vitally important. 🪂🪂Equally high-quality intelligence has always been the key to winning any war as we know from General Moravec and his team and the work they did with SOE and the various Operations they organised. Today our countries have a new team whose role is to do the same, but in a more sophisticated way. They can’t tell us what they do every day to keep us safe, but we all need to take a moment and give thanks for them and the role they do…. Whole text & 📸: /share/p/EUpxZg4FzdxzQccB/?mibextid=WC7FNe #mafcsv #czechembassylondon #310Squadron #311Squadron #312Squadron #313Squadron #RAF #RAFClub #Jagello2000

⛲️Following on from our previous post by our International Secretary Marta Majercik, On Sunday I was at the Parachute Fountain thinking of Josef Valčík and his comrades. The Friends of the Czechoslovak Memorial Fountain Czechoslovak Freedom Fountain organised the event with Stephen Loquens directing the commemoration. Each year the event becomes busier and busier, and it is marvellous to see the students from the 🇨🇿Czech and 🇸🇰Slovak Schools 👭in Warwick🇬🇧participating. If we don’t engage the next generation now, who will we pass the torch to in the future? I even had chance to chat with some of the locals who were walking through the park prior to the event and told them about the history behind the fountain. The speeches from the Czech and Slovak Ambassador both recognised the bravery of the seven named on the fountain, but also all the Czechoslovak Brigade🪖 that was stationed in the area during the early part of WWII. We were all reminded of the huge cost that was paid for Operation Anthropoid by the Czechoslovak people, with the 🌹roses from Lidice that are always in full bloom at this time, blood red in the sunshine today. During the Last Post we also reflected on the brave young service personnel in 🇺🇦 Ukraine who continue to fight for the liberation and freedom of their own country, the way our veterans did for Czechoslovakia. As H.E Róbert Ondrejcsák said, evil never sleeps, we must all be alert, to stand up against it. 🌺💐Wreaths and flowers were laid at the memorial afterwards by the Czech and Slovak Ambassadors, local dignitaries, and representatives from veteran groups and the RBL. Children from the Czech and Slovak Schools laid their own wreaths and personal tributes. Congratulations to all those involved in organising another excellent event, and Chris Pavel who carried the standard during the service. We will remember them! #czechoslovakfreedomfountain #jephsongardens #leamingtonspa #mafcsv #operationanthropoid #czechoslovakveterans #SOE #jankubiš #jozefgabčík #adolfopálka #josefbublík , #janhrubý , #josefvalčík , #JaroslavŠvarc #lidiceshalllive #ležáky

As we promised we are sharing more details and photos from Saturday 25th of May from Smolina (Valašské Klobouky, Czech Republic🇨🇿) on the occasion of Anthropoid Anniversary🪂🪂💼💥 when Our International Secreatary Marta Majerčík had the pleasure to attend the Memorial act at this village - birthplace of Josef Valčík, one of 7 brave parachutist who participated & bravely fought and gave life (on 18th of June 1942 in Prague) for fredom, democracy and their country. “People who are connected to Operation Anthropoid and its legacy. Its legacy not “only” stay alive thanks to them, but also conect people together. After all those years, after the terror which Nazis did to families, helpers and others in reprisals and after all those years, that both regimes in Czechoslovakia was trying to do - to forget those brave and innocent - after all those years, in Smolina’s memorial event: there was a Josef Valčík’s family members from Czech republic🇨🇿, Slovak 🇸🇰 representative of The MAFCSV - association which represents parachutist’s stories and legacy in UK🇬🇧 and a speech was read from Anita Moravec Gard🇺🇸 (Granddaughter of Gen. František Moravec - the creator of Operation Amthropoid) present. Our toughts and hearts were together in Smolina at that moment. Together we remembered bravery and sacrifice of Josef Valčík and memory of his family. Me and my husband laid wreaths on behalf of The MAFCSV with our little son🧍. He already know Valčík’s story as he heard about him on last November when I’ve had a lecture while preschool children were making poppies for our special wreaths. And one of these wreaths was decorated with those poppies, as well as with poppies from children of several schools (various ages) in Slovakia🇸🇰. Our daughter laid this special poppy wreath from children with Josef Valčík’s great great great niece. 👭🌺 This moment was very memorable and emotional. I hope somehow Josef could feel or see that. To see this sweet girl from his family to pay him respect with wreath from other kids all aroud his beloved Czechoslovakia… more & 📸: /share/p/qeoDWgEq1VArGYpE/?mibextid=WC7FNe

This week commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the start of Operation Overlord. Dr Scott has put together another amazing film that covers those last hours before D-Day took place and captures the anticipation and courage of those who took part. Simply entitled “The Letter.” We hope it gives you an insight into the huge expectations placed on the shoulders of these service personnel and those who followed shortly afterwards over the coming weeks, as they fought the enemy and pushed them back through France to Germany. The Letter is a message of few words, but words on which the future of the free world would depend. That is the incredible importance of the letter distributed to all those taking part on the first day of the Normandy landings, 6 June 1944. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force began drafting this document in February 1944. It was later updated to take into account strategic factors and catch the mood of the moment. Of note is Eisenhower’s alteration where the assessment of the enemy was changed from “you may expect him to fight savagely” to “he will fight savagely”. With such updates, the critical window of opportunity the letter then represented is starkly evidenced by Eisenhower’s moment of doubt when he pencilled in his notebook on 5 June a message that might be used in case of failure. Amid last minute delays, caused by weather conditions, and disagreements over strategy and timing, his apologia started with the words “ if any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.” There was also a recorded version of the letter ready to be broadcast once the naval landings had taken place. Fortunately, the invasion did go ahead as planned and pretty well unfolded according to the assessments made. Czechoslovak fighter squadrons 310, 312 and 313 took part in the invasion to protect the beaches and disrupt the enemy where necessary. Czechoslovak squadron 311, which had been transferred from Bomber Command to Coastal Command in 1943, patrolled the Channel to search for enemy submarine activity…whole text & video📽: /share/v/J32VbKFuTGJVEzoC/?mibextid=WC7FNe

🇨🇿👫For the past few years Martin Pavlis Czech Scout Leader and his colleagues has organised for groups of Scouts to visit the 🇬🇧UK. He has ensured that during their stay they learn about our 🪖Czechoslovak veterans and how they came to be based here during WWII. The links between the two groups goes back to when the veterans themselves were young, when many were part of the Ceský Skaut organisation. Their programme includes visiting the West Cloister at Westminster Abbey to pay their respects at the veterans memorial and also to parading at Brookwood with the cadets. I am sure that each year the numbers that come from the different regions in the Czech Republic, gets bigger. Thank you Martin Pavlis for your dedication and support to the Junak - Cesky Skaut movement and the MAFCSV. We look forward to welcoming you and the next group soon.💙 #MAFCSV #Ceskýskaut #Junák @skaut

📸🎥🎖This week we were delighted to receive some new photos from Mike Hillman who has been an ‘official photographer’ at all our Brookwood events for many years now. Together with Alan Meeks who films our commemorations for us, the two ensure we have a wonderful record of our memorials for years to come. Both of them give their time and expertise freely and we are truly grateful to them both for being with us come rain or shine. 🎖👏In this first batch I wanted to share with you all our photos of Dr George Scott and his last parade with the Czechoslovak standard. He has attended numerous events and in total undertaken this duty for fifty six years! No wonder it was emotional for all of us who were there. 🇬🇧Thank you very much- 🇨🇿Mockrát děkuju -🇸🇰Veľmi pekne ďakujem 👏😃 #MAFCSV #Brookwoodcemetery #CWGC #czechembassylondon #slovenskéveľvyslanectvovspojenomkráľovstve

🪖🪦🇬🇧Brookwood - D-DAY80 Schools competition🎓👫🇨🇿🇸🇰🇬🇧 As promised, here is the second post about our students and cadets that came to our commemorative service at Brookwood. It is wonderful to have them join us and take part in our service. Their contribution is always appreciated including planting the poppy crosses🌺 donated by the embassies each service on the graves of our veterans, helping lead our national anthems 🎶🇨🇿🇸🇰 or placing flowers at the memorial💐. They have also led our prayers and 🎨painted remembrance stones for our Tree of Peace in the past. Being able to share their work with our MAFCSV friends is so important and I am sure you are all as proud as I am, to see their contributions. ❤️ 📜We will work with all the schools who sent entries to ensure the students receive their certificate. Thank you to Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines and Michal Zizlavsky Secretary to the Czech Embassy London, who kindly agreed to judge the art and poetry competition that Jana Nahodilova Jana Nahodilova has organised as part of our event. Those who were winners were Misa Jones; Class of Squirrels, Czech School Berkshire, Ira Fread, Sophia Hadi, Sophia Grant, Bozenka Ortizova, Ella Grant, Dan Arama, Oli Sandres, Sophia Toya and Adele Janku from Czech and Slovak School Okenko.👏🏅 The MAFCSV looks forward to continuing to work with all our schools and to support veteran projects where possible. 😁🤝👏🫶 #DDay #DDAY80 #MAFCSV #Brookwoodcemetery #CWGC #Brookwoodmilitarycemetery #neverforgotten #lestweforget #wewillremember #czechoslovakveterans #czechembassylondon #slovenskéveľvyslanectvovspojenomkráľovstve #ČeskáŠkola #CSCSBristolCIC #SkolaManchester #okenkolondon @okenko_czsk_london @czechschoolsurrey @czechschoolmanchester @jana.nahodilova @brookwoodcem

Brookwood May 2024 What an event! 🇨🇿🇸🇰🇬🇧 🙏So many wonderful parts to it I really don’t know where to start except THANK YOU to all who came and took part. 🪖Our D-Day commemoration certainly was a fitting tribute to our veterans. I am sure their spirits were with us, and they would have been delighted to see that their memory lives on in the next generations. I am relieved to report that the whole event passed off without any rain this time, and that we didn’t have to resort to our new ‘Plan B’. 🌥 We were delighted to have His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mr. More-Molyneux and his wife Sarah joining us again. Their presence is greatly appreciated and sends a strong message to all, that our veteran’s sacrifice is recognised by the wider community: whole post & more 📸: /share/p/nfspMnsnFfDks9Ln/?mibextid=WC7FNe 👫For me the VIP’s of any of our Brookwood events are the cadets, students and Scouts who come to join us. They give up their time to come and be part of our commemorative service. It is one of the MAFCSV objectives to ensure the younger generations know our veteran’s stories and what they did for us all. To seek the truth of themselves and be the future custodians of their memory. I would like to thank the Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps and Reed’s School Combined Cadet Force and their staff for a wonderful parade and for the wreaths they laid. They all looked so smart and were exemplary in their conduct through the event. Thank you to Scout Leader Martin Pavlis Martin Pavliš who yet again organised for another group of Scouts to come all the way from Slapanice in the Czech Republic to parade with us. Many of our veterans had been in the Scouts before the war and the skills they learned I am sure helped them in their escapes during 1938 and 1939.Thank you for your flowers too.👏 Thank you for all your feedback and we look forward to seeing you all in October. 👍👏❤️ #DDay #DDAY80 #MAFCSV #Brookwoodcemetery #CWGC #lestweforget #wewillremember #czechoslovakveterans 🪖🇨🇿🇸🇰🇬🇧🪦👫🎓🎨🎶🎖📜🤝💐👌👏🫶

🇬🇧🇨🇿🇸🇰The Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovak Veterans are looking forward to welcoming their friends and guests to the commemorative event on Sunday at Brookwood Military Cemetery🪦💐. 🚙Just to let you know before you leave please check your directions because the little back road from Frimley to Pirbright ( B3012) will be closed from 8am -12 noon for a marathon race. This should not affect those that come via the A322. 🌧We have a ‘Plan B’ for rain and have secured the use of the chapel in Brookwood cemetery just a little walk down from the civilian plot. 🍰If any of you would like to delight us with your culinary expertise we would be thrilled to share your creation at the after event catch up. 🎓👫Finally calling all students don’t forget to submit your art and poems to commemorate D-Day. You can send photos and email them over instead if you can’t be with us on the day. We look forward to seeing them all.❤️ See you soon. #mafcsv #brookwoodcemtery #cwgc #brookwoodmilitarycemetery #neverforget

👫🎓🎒CALLING ALL STUDENTS AT THE CZECH 🇨🇿 AND SLOVAK 🇸🇰 SCHOOLS IN UK AND IRELAND! 🪖To commemorate the coming 80th Anniversary of D-DAY we invite you to submit a short poem 🖊 or piece of art 🖌🎨that captures Operation Overlord and what happened during that initial stage. There is lots of inspiration on the internet, but be mindful of your source. Always seek the truth just as our veterans did. Radio Prague International has a great programme called ‘The Longest Day - A look back at the heroic Czech contribution to the D-Day landings’ to start you off. 📌🪦Bring your creations to our Brookwood Memorial Service on Sunday 5th May 13:15 or you can email them to info@okenko.uk by Saturday 4th We are looking forward to sharing them on our Facebook page after the event! SO GET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOWING 🤔- AND CAPTURE THOSE MOMENTS! 👍 #DDay #80thAnniversary #operationoverlord #wewillrememberthem #freeczechoslovakveterans 🇨🇿🇸🇰🇬🇧