Alec the Pole... what happened to him?

[honkytonkman]

Alec the Pole Quite a few years ago on TV (5-10 yrs) , there was a documentary about 'Alec the Pole'. He came to Scotland during/after the World War II as a former Ukranian soldier, but to everyone (incl. his Scottish family) he was thought to be Polish. When he finally divulged his real history, he went back to the Ukraine with his daughter. My overriding memory was that he was sad that he'd forgotten almost all his native language (and had expected it to flood back), although his surviving Ukranian family were overjoyed to see him as they'd assumed he'd died in the War. Does anyone know what happened to him? I've seached the Net but drew a blank. Thanks :)

[Harley]

Alec The Pole - BBC A moving film of an old soldier who had lived quietly in Scotland after the war, claiming to be a veteran of the Polish Army. At his real home in the Ukraine, Alec Krusnenko had been reported missing, believed killed in action, fighting against the Germans. He returns to discover a monument has been erected bearing his name alongside other fallen heroes of the Red Army. But Alec had been hiding a terrible secret: he had not fought for the Soviet Army at all.......he had joined the Nazi SS. http://www.nsi-canada.ca/kickstart/bios/doran.html

[skraw]

Yes, I know what happened to him. I am his grand daughter. He is still alive and still communicating with his family over in Ukraine but this a complicated and sad process for him he has so much he wants to say to them but we are unable to find a translater to get messages over to his family. I hope one day to go over to Ukraine myself with a little of the language, and meet what is left of his family. Is this any help to you?

[honkytonkman]

Skraw, wow!! That's great news. I remember the programme really clearly and did hope that it would have a happy ending. It was just one of those unfinished things that has stuck in my mind ever since. Have you tried a local Univ near to where his family lives in the Ukraine? There might be a language dept that could help � perhaps a student who wants to be an interpreter and needs a course project. I work at a Uni so I know these things happen. Or is it possible that a Linguaphone tape or similar of the Ukranian language would help your grandfather too � it might rekindle some of the language which is sure to be there but just needs accessing. Thanks for replying to such an old question. I really hope things work out for your grandfather. All the best....

[skraw]

Glad to be of help. He has been through a lot of heartache recently and gets emotional easily. He has just lost his wife (my gran) that he has been with nearly all his life so he is really finding it difficult.

[honkytonkman]

Skraw, are you still watching this question? I've made a friend in the Ukraine and perhaps could help get translations sent to your Grandfather's family... My friend speaks passable English, good Russian, excellent German (as well as Ukrainian her first language).

[skraw]

Hey honketonkman

I still look at this site - obviously not that often - I would be really grateful if you could put me in touch with your friend. A few weeks ago my grandad was getting a new kitchen fitted and low and behold here was a letter from his family in Russian. I have many pieces that I would love to have translated, and maybe write a wee note in English to them that your friend could possibly translate into Russian?

Yours aye, Skraw

[honkytonkman]

Hi Skraw,

Glad you're still there! Send me an e m a i l and we can get it all sorted. My ad d re ss is: lullylimey - net at yahoo dot co dot uk (all with no spaces)

I hope you get this.

H :)

[honkytonkman]

Hi Skraw,

Are you still watching this question?Am still happy to pass any letters to my Ukrainian friend, for her to translate.

Post a reply here if you're still interested.

Regards,

Honkytonkman x

[jkraw1]

hey man he is my grandad he died two years ago