- £150.00
India. (Polish Refugees in India). 1944. Envelope written from 'Zopia Kuek, Polish Refugee, Camp Valivade, Kolhapur, India' addressed to North America bearing India SG 269c, 1 1/2a dull violet and SG 271, 3a bright violet tied by 'Experimental P.O.' double ring '3rd Oct 44,' with 'Opened by Examiner' label tied by framed 'Crown/ Passed DHC/ 66' on reverse with 'DHC/ 318' hand-stamp in violet on face.
When Soviet forces entered Poland an estimated one million Poles were deported to Labour Camp Gulags in Siberia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The children on arrival in India had been placed at the Camp in Bandry, this lasted four months. The Maharaja of Nawanagar placed 500 children in an orphanage in the town of Balachadi. A year later a permanent camp was established at Valivade, Kolhapur for women and children.
Mail from the Polish Refugee's is almost impossible to find as most children were orphans and the women orphans.
