Gwidon Gottlieb
GWIDON GOTTLIEB-BORUCKI
1912 ~ 2009
VAJEX member Gwidon Gottlieb-Borucki passed away on 29th December 2009 and, but for the many articles and tributes posted on the web (in the Polish language), his lifetime achievements would never have been known to most of us. The last occasion that I spoke to Gwidon was at our Remembrance Day Luncheon on the 22nd November 2009. He was a regular Luncheon attendee and still sprightly at 97. He promised to see us again in 2010. Sadly, this promise can't now be kept.
Born Gwidon Alfred Gottlieb in the Polish city of Krakow, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, he showed a talent for the piano and accordion. He received an education, sang and acted on the stage participating in numerous performances.
When World War II broke out, he soon found himself in the army of General Wladislaw Anders. In May 1944 his unit, part of the Polish 2nd Corps, took part in the battle for Monte Casino in Italy and was instrumental in the capture of the Monastery and defeat of the German forces there.
The song made famous after the battle of Monte Casino is called "The Red Poppies of Monte Casino."
Between 1945 and 1958, Gwidon lived in London and acted in films and on the stage, singing solo in numerous performances as Guido Lorraine.
Some of the films he acted in were: The Red Beret, State Secret, Port Afrique, The Colditz Story, Hotel Sahara and many others. He also made appearances on radio.
Settling in Australia in 1959 with his wife Eva, Gwidon appeared on the National HSV7 TV production of Sunny Side Up as Guido Lorraine. He became involved in Polish community activities in Melbourne and joined VAJEX in 1978.
Over 100 people attended his funeral service on the 6th January 2010. It included many notables from the community and I was invited to recite the Military Ritual and the Ode. As a fitting farewell, the mourners sang "The Red Poppies of Monte Casino."
VAJEX offers sincere condolences to Eva and family.
LEST WE FORGET
Ben Hirsh
President