For three years, Tomasz Czaykowski lived in exile, enduring forced labour and other atrocities for refusing to fight under the Russian flag. Part of a loyal band of rebel Polish soldiers, Tomasz resolved to disobey his foreign rulers and fight only for Polish independence.
By the time Tomasz was exiled, Poland had been under foreign rule for 35 years. The Polish people rose up many times, most notably during the November Uprising (1830-31). This saw Polish politicians, military leaders and intellectuals flee for England.
Initially the British Government saw no problem in accommodating small numbers of Polish refugees, especially the elite. In 1834 that all changed. Tomasz and the other rank-and-file soldiers were finally deported and put on three ships headed for America. When fierce storms hit they took shelter: two ships docked in England (Portsmouth and Harwich); the third in France (Le Havre).
Tomasz was on the Portsmouth boat. Along with over 200 others he decided to stay in England. Because of Tomasz, his comrades and ardent campaigners, the British Government changed their policy, introducing the first ever aid package for Polish migrants.
