During the Second World War, Flight Lieutenant Edward Prykiel made his way to Great Britain and, following combat training, was posted to the 300th ‘Ziemia Mazowiecka’ Bomber Squadron. In June 1943, he was transferred to transport aviation and served with the RAF’s 238 Squadron in Australia.
On 13 April 1945, he set off on a flight during which he was to transport 25 soldiers to India. During a storm, the aircraft crashed near Pheni (now in Bangladesh). The entire crew and all passengers were killed.
Lieutenant Prykiel was awarded the Virtuti Militari War Order, 5th Class – the Silver Cross – and the Cross of Valour four times.
The pilot’s grave is located at the British Maynamati War Cemetery, 7 km from the centre of Kumilla. The gravestone bears the Polish coat of arms and an inscription in English: “Lt. / E. Prykiel / 238 SQDN / 13th. March 1945 Age 26 / Polish Forces”. The date of death engraved on the gravestone does not correspond to the date of 13 April 1945, as given by various sources.
The cemetery is under the care and management of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Information about the cemetery, including a list of those buried there (of various nationalities) and photographs of the cemetery, can be found on the website https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/107700/maynamati-war-cemetery/.

Regina Piątek (MKiDN), Teresa Zachara (MKiDN)