Following the German aggression against Poland on 1 September 1939 and the attack by the USSR on 17 September 1939, thousands of Poles, both civilians and soldiers, crossed the Hungarian border. Despite the difficult international situation and Hungary's affiliation with the Axis powers, the Hungarians were very sympathetic and provided assistance to the Polish refugees. The Poles were cared for - both by the Hungarian state and by Polish organisations operating in Hungary. The internees were placed in numerous military and civilian camps.
The number of Polish internees in the initial period of the exile is estimated at about 140,000, including about 33,000 privates and officers. Over time, the number of refugees, mainly military, decreased as a result of the evacuation campaign organised by the Poles to France and the Middle East to Polish military units being formed there.
In the municipal cemetery in Zalaszentgrót, in plot P1, not far from the fence on the side of Turjei utca street, there are two Polish graves located next to each other: that of fireman of the Polish Army Jan Książek and Józefa Barbara Tężycka.
The first grave bears a vertical plaque with the inscription: "Jan Książek / ogniom. Polish Forces / 1902-1941". The gravestone on the second grave is more grandiose: made of stone it was decorated with decorative cornices and topped with a cross with the inscription IHS, in the central part of the gravestone a plaque was placed with the inscription: "JÓZEFA / BARBARA TĘŻYCKA / sz. SKURNUG-JANKOWSKA / ÉLT 26 ÉVET MEGH. 1945 II/ ETERNAL REPOSE / DEIGN TO GIVE HER LADIES".

Compiled by. A.Wojda, MKiDN, VII 2025.