T H E H I S T O R Y O F K R E S Y
Osady - Military Settlements 1921-1940
Translation from the book
Z Kresów Wschodnich R.P. Wspomnienia z Osad Wojskowych 1921-1940
(From: The Eastern Borderlands of Poland, Memories of Military Settlements 1921-1940)
Pub: Ognisko Rodzin Osadników Kresowych (OROK)
(Association of the Families of the Borderland Settlers)
London, UK. 1992 and 1998 (out of print)
ISBN 1 872286 33 X
Province (Województwo) WOŁYŃ
L. RYBACKA (GRZESZKIEWICZ)
OSADA CHROBROWICZE
Community (Gmina) Jarosławice
District (Powiat) Dubno
I am a daughter of a military settler, a former Corporal.
The settlers from the Chrobrowicze settlement: Grzeszkiewicz, Siepielewski, Pępek, Przybłowicz, Siek, Maraszek, Pająk, Głąb, Biernat, Gałązka, Buczkowski.
The settlement had a four-class primary school, and in the nearby village Ławrów, a seven-class school. The parish church was in Łagrownica, and the settlement had a wooden cross, surrounded by flowers, where masses were celebrated in May. There were also organised harvest festivals [dożynki] “śledzik” [a feast traditionally held on the last day before Lent when fish dishes heralded the period of fasting] and sleigh rides [kuligi]. The national holidays were celebrated in the parish church.
The settlement had an Agricultural Association and a Village Housewives Association, which organized a cooking and baking course. After the end of the course, the housewives organised parties. At one of these I tried a rye bread cake for the first time.
Newspapers were delivered from a nearby town.
The settlers struggled at the beginning with many difficulties, i.e., lack of buildings, farm machinery, and a chronic lack of money but they were very close to each other, supported each other and together lived through sad and happy times. The settlers’ wives were ladies from Kalisz and Kraków.
I have fond memories of the settlement. It was the happiest time in my life. Wołyń, covered by fields of grain, flowering bushes, and infused with a nightingale song, was in my mind the closest description of Heaven.