Are you the little boy,or can you identify him? 

Paula Niall, who has done so much research around the Polish soldiers who trained in Owen Sound, would love to speak to the gentleman. Says Ms. Niall, "Of course the military men that he has obviously befriended, are the Polish soldiers who were barracked in the old Noma Lights Factory, corner of 2nd Ave. West and 14th St. W., that was once the North American Furniture Factory. So he was very likely a little boy who lived in the neighbour hood of 2nd Ave. 13th Street West."

Ms. Niall's research, and that of others, helped inspire the placing of a plaque in our Queen's Park by the Consul General of Poland on November 24th, 2018.

She reported on the occasion, "Everything went off swimmingly. We had a colour guard from the Legion and a small group of the Grey & Simcoe men following the flags.

"The beautiful and long Polish National Anthem was played and sung by the Poles in the crowd, and there were recordings of a symphonic offering of the national anthem of the United States , the Canadian national anthem sung by the Toronto Men’s Welsh Choir, and the Royal Anthem, as they call God Save the Queen today, sung by an English Cathedral Choir. with thanks to Brent Fischer, the music was a touching addition to the program.

"There were suitable historical sketches presented by Dave Alexander, the M.C. in between.

"The Mayor had done his homework and gave a great speech of welcome before the Consul General spoke and presented his wreath along with a Polish Officer he brought with him from Toronto, medals and all.

"We had a full house at the restaurant dining room that had been decorated in the Polish Red and White of our mutual flags, where more suitable speeches and presentations were made. Everyone had a congenial time meeting one another and the Consul General and his wife and some Poles expressed their sincere gratitude for their countrymen being recognized and thanked by their Consul General along with the U.S. and Canadian Recruits of Polish descent who linked arms with the Poles and returned with them to continue to fight for the freedom of Poland and the whole world."

Ms. Niall wants to express her gratitude to all those who helped with that occasion and her research. If you can help with the identity of the boy in the photo, you can contact Ms. Niall at 519-372-0225 or [email protected]