Wojciech Francki

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1940- Commander Wojciech Francki (37 years old) the CO of the ship on the bridge of the Polish Navy destroyer ORP Błyskawica.

Born on 17th April 1903 in Warsaw. In 1915 Francki joined the scouts as a courier and messenger, and in 1919 he joined the Piłsudski's Legions fighting near Vilno. In 1920 he and his brother fought in the Battle of Warsaw under the overall command of Piłsudski. In 1921 Francki joined the Polish Navy working with naval officers and engineers including the architect of Gdynia, Tadeusz Wenda, and the then Chief of the Polish Navy, Vice-Admiral Kazimierz Porębski. Next Francki worked in the Department of Maritime Affairs in Warsaw and later enrolled in the Polish Navy Cadet School in Toruń graduating in 1927. Then he served on the training schooner ORP Iskra, on the naval transport ORP Wilia and in the Pina River Flotilla. In 1929 he was transferred to Gdynia and went on serve as the first gunner officer on ORP Wicher. His first independent command was of ORP Komendant Piłsudski followed by ORP Mazur. In May 1935 Francki was appointed by Rear-Admiral Jerzy Świrski to the post of Chief of Gunnery in Warsaw, where he improved his skills on the aspects of anti-aircraft defences, which not only enabled the improvement of defences against air attack on Hel and Westerplatte but also was to stand him in good stead in WWII especially in Cowes in 1942. Next he worked in the Sea-Going Fleet HQ in Gdynia-Oksywie as a flag gunnery officer. In 1938 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. On 23 March 1939 Francki took command of ORP Wilia on a training voyage with junior naval cadets of the Naval School of Casablanca. they left Gdynia on 9 July7 1939 and stayed in Casablanca from 30 July until 12 October 1939. For service on ORP Burza during the Norwegian campaign Francki received his DSC (Distinguished Service Cross). In June 1940 Francki deputized for Captain Nahorski who commanded ORP Błyskawica and then returned to ORP Burza. On 7 October 1940 he was appointed to command ORP Błyskawica. On the night of the 4/5th May 1942 while ORP Błyskawica was in Cowes, the German air raid took place. Franki, his crew and his ship defended and saved Cowes and it's shipyard. Later Francki served in different naval posts and in 1943 he temporarily commanded the destroyer ORP Orkan. Next Francki went on to work at the Training Camp in Bickleigh as its chief and later moved to head the Cadet School of Reserve Personnel. He served as the head of the biggest Polish shore establishment ORP Bałtyk in Okehampton. In 1947 Francki joined the PRC.

The Polish Navy in G.B. ceased to exist on 31st March 1947. In 1948 Francki left for New Zealand with his family and in 1966 they moved to Australia where he worked in the Merchant Navy until his retirement in 1973. Francki was aged 93 years when he died. His ashes were brought to Poland the funeral service took place on 20th January 1997 at the Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw.