Tulips for Airborne Forces

Stamford School was proud to receive a donation of maroon tulips from South Kesteven District Council through the growing international Airborne Tulip Memorials trail. Part of SKDC’s ‘Soldiers from the Sky’ project, this was funded by National Lottery players through the National Lottery Heritage Fund to commemorate a unique chapter in the district’s military heritage.

Men of the British 1st Airborne Division trained with allied paratroopers from America and Poland and flew from airfields at Barkston Heath and Saltby for Operation Market Garden - the battle of Arnhem - in September 1944. Tulips colour-match the distinctive beret worn by British Airborne forces.

Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet member for People and Communities, said: “It’s a wonderful tribute and we are grateful to National Lottery players who have enabled us to carpet South Kesteven with these beautiful flowers.

“We look forward to creating this living memorial to remember and commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of so many.”

Stamford School has a special connection to the Polish Parachute Brigade remembered with a stone memorial to the side of Brazenose House. In the lead-up to Operation Market Garden, the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade, under the command of Major General Stanistaw Sosabowski, was stationed in the Stamford area. Stamford School played a pivotal role during this period, providing facilities for training and billeting the troops. Clapton House, part of the school grounds, became the base for the Polish Medical Parachute Regiment. The troops utilised various buildings in Stamford, including Maiden Lane and the Drill Hall, for their training exercises and accommodation.

The presence of the Polish brigade had a significant impact on Stamford School. The school's facilities were adapted to meet the needs of the troops, and the interaction between the soldiers and the students created lasting memories. The Polish soldiers participated in loca1 events, further strengthening the ties between the brigade and the Stamford community. Among the Polish troops was a cherished mascot, a dog named Smokey, who also has a stone memorial by Clapton garden.

Each year the School remembers and celebrates the legacy of our heritage with our Polish troopers through a memorial service following the main school Remembrance Service on 11 November. The Polish War Memorial at Stamford School is a testament to the bravery and sacrifices of the Polish troops. This small but significant monument is a focal point for remembrance ceremonies, particularly on Armistice Day. Additionally, a plaque dedicated to the Polish Medical Company is attached to Clapton House, honouring the medical personnel who served during this period. Smokey's grave remains a cherished site, and a plaque rededicated in 1997 ensures that his memory endures.