Bradford & District | Archive | 2004 | January | 16
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 16th Jan 2004.
In real life George Lubomski is in charge of a class of primary schoolchildren .
But when free of the classroom, the 53-year-old dons blue and red, tight-fitting trousers and jacket and transforms himself into the role of the leader of an elite corps of Polish lancers in Napoleon's army.
For George, who lives in a terrace house in Silsden, is the squadron commander of the First Polish Imperial Guard Lancers.
And his status is such that at a recent international parade of history re-enactment groups, George was honoured with the role of reviewing hundreds of troops -- including German, Spanish and Italian soldiers.
He is held in such esteem, especially among re-enactment groups in Poland, because he is the founder and the inspiration for the brother outfit in the country.
The parade took place in Ciechanow, Poland, in August last year, the home of Count Krasinski, founder of the squadron which served Napoleon from 1807 to his defeat at Waterloo.
"I'm held in high esteem -- it's strange, it's a bit like being royalty. But it was a high honour and I felt privileged," said George, the son of Polish parents who came to the UK after the Second World War.
"Our aim is to portray Polish culture and history, not just to the Polish community in the UK but internationally.
"A lot of young people with Polish origins haven't that much knowledge of their own history and I want to show what a great history the country has," said George, who teaches at St Joseph's school, Bradford.
The ten-strong cavalry squadron -- which has a brother troop of ten in Poland -- has been awarded £4,931 of lottery cash which will help fund its work and pay for new equipment.
Running the squadron is relatively costly, especially paying for uniforms and the squadron practised on horses especially trained for re-enactment events. In February, the troop will be honing their cavalry charging techniques with sabre and lance.
"It involves riding at targets and practising skill at arms," said George, who is looking forward to a Napoleonic regimental gathering in Boulonge, in July, when the presentation of the regimental eagle will be re-enacted.
Next year, the squadron will also perform at the annual Polish Festival, at Bletchley, and among other events, two battle/camps, one in Folkestone, Kent, and the other in Ciehanow, Poland.
The group's web site can be accessed on www.polishlancers.com.
The 1st Polish Lancers were recruited in Warsaw, which became a province of Napoleon's European empire, and were based at Chantilly, near Paris.
In the Napoleonic era, Poland did not exist as a nation, having been split between Austria, Prussia and Russia. The Poles saw Napoleon as an ally in their battle for independence.
The emperor made Poland a satellite state of France and the lancers served as his bodyguard, fighting in the Peninsula War, in Spain, in 1809, and at the battle of Wagram, in Austria.
In 1812 they turned their lances east and rode into Russia with Napoleon's Grand Armee, fighting at Borodino.
A detachment later served at the Emperor's final rout at Waterloo, in 1815, at the hands of the Duke of Wellington.
The Polish Lancers provided the inspiration for similar units in the Russian, Prussian, Austrian and British armies.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008