A BRAVE Polish war hero who was wounded three times in battle during World War Two only to return to fight on the frontline has died aged 100 years.

Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak, who celebrated his 100th birthday at Worcester Guildhall in January, died peacefully in Kidderminster on Thursday, August 17.

Worcester News: GENTLEMAN: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak is pictured here receiving flowers to mark his 100th birthdayGENTLEMAN: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak is pictured here receiving flowers to mark his 100th birthday (Image: Supplied by Tom Wisniewski)

The decorated Polish war veteran volunteered to join the Polish Forces under British command during the Second World War, fighting at the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino.

During his service, he earned medals and awards including the 1939 /1945 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, War Medal 1939/45, Egypt, Order Odrodzenia Polski, Polonia Restituta (PR) awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland, Medal Stulecia Odzyskanej Niepodległości, Ordery wojenne, Medal Pro Patria, Medal Pro Memoria, and many other medals and awards.

Worcester News: ACTION: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak carried on fighting even after he was wounded and saw action at the Battle of Monte Cassino ACTION: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak carried on fighting even after he was wounded and saw action at the Battle of Monte Cassino (Image: Supplied by Tom Wisniewski)

He served in Egypt, Italy, United Kingdom and was honourably discharged in May 1948.

During the war, he was injured three times, a bullet destroying part of his face, but every time returned to the battlefield. 

He set up the Polish Ex-Combatants Association in Rainbow Hill in Worcester and was an honoured guest at the first Polish Heritage Day at Cathedral Plaza in 2019, organised by the Worcestershire Polish Association. 

Worcester News: FRIENDS: Tom Wisniewski (left) and close friend Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak at the first Polish Heritage Day in Cathedral Plaza in Worcester in 2019 FRIENDS: Tom Wisniewski (left) and close friend Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak at the first Polish Heritage Day in Cathedral Plaza in Worcester in 2019 (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Determined to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain organised by Tom Wisniewski, chairman of the Worcestershire Polish Association, Lieutenant Szymczak attended despite the pandemic.

The beloved veteran said he had already 'shed too much blood fighting for freedom' to be scared of covid.

Tom Wisniewski, chairman of the Worcestershire Polish Association paid an emotional tribute to the man he was 'honoured' to call his friend.

The lieutenant was a keen supporter of the Worcestershire Polish Association and an Honorary Member and a proud chairman at the Polish Ex-Combatants Association, formed in 1946.

Worcester News: HONOUR: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak with King Charles HONOUR: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak with King Charles (Image: Supplied by Tom Wisniewski)

Mr Wisniewski said: "I learned a lot from him and I heard many stories about the war.

"I think he showed us history, he showed us fighting for freedom. This reminds us how important it is to fight for freedom.

"Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak was very proud of his Polish heritage and of his contribution during the war.

Worcester News: BRAVE: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak with Tom Wisniewski - the two remained close friends BRAVE: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak with Tom Wisniewski - the two remained close friends (Image: Supplied by Tom Wisniewski)

"He fought and worked hard throughout his life, from his early years in Poland under Russian occupation, through the war years and his coming to England.

"Along with other Poles who settled in the area they built a strong Polish community, including the Polish Church on Pitt Street in Kidderminster. He was also involved in founding the Polish Saturday School in Worcester.

"Edmund worked very hard to provide for his family and had a very successful career, becoming supervisor at Parsons Chain in Kidderminster/Stourport.

"He made Britain his second home.

"Despite his advancing years and declining health Edmund was determined to reach the age of 100, which he did."

Worcester News: WELCOME: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak was honoured by British and Polish people for his 100th birthday. He is pictured here side by side with Tom Wisniewski who organised the 100th birthday celebration at Worcester Guildhall WELCOME: Lieutenant Edmund Szymczak was honoured by British and Polish people for his 100th birthday. He is pictured here side by side with Tom Wisniewski who organised the 100th birthday celebration at Worcester Guildhall (Image: Supplied by Tom Wisniewski)

Mr Wisnieski spoke of the great honour he and the Worcestershire Polish Association felt in organising his 100th birthday celebration at Worcester Guildhall, a celebration which left the veteran 'overjoyed'.

The Polish pop star Edyta Górniak came especially for Mr Szymczak's 100th birthday.

"He was a great man, a gentlemen, who was loved and missed by many and frankly speaking will be missed by many. He would always sing 'you are my sunshine' but shortly speaking he was our sunshine," said Mr Wisniewski. 

A funeral service will take place at St Ambrose Church, Birmingham Road, KidderminsTer, DY10 2BY, on Friday, September 15 at 1pm followed by burial at Kidderminster Cemetery. He will lie next to his wife who also served in the British Army (the ATS)