Letter from Antonia Rasiowna to Julian Stryjak, notifying him of the death of his wife three years earlier, along with a confirmation letter from Polish Red Cross, dated 3 January 1944 Letter from Antonia Rasiowna to Julian Stryjak

London, 30 X 45 Dear Lieutenant Stryjak – I was very glad to receive your letter, as in the days of captivity, our contact ceased and I was afraid that something bad had happened to you. Unfortunately, as you can see from the attachments, I am sending you the tragic news that I kept to myself for almost two years. Please do not take this badly but I really did not have the courage to convey it to you while in captivity especially when you yourself were sick. I know that even today, like before, it will be a blow for you, but maybe it will be easier for you now in freedom and among your own. Please accept my deepest sympathy. It probably will be no comfort to you, but reading about the lives of our people in Russia and even in Poland today – I sometimes wonder whether the ones who leave us aren’t happier.