After the Second World War, an unusual figure became part of life in the Scottish Borders: Wojtek, the Polish soldier bear.
Adopted as a cub by Polish troops in the Middle East, he travelled with them across the Mediterranean and through wartime Italy, where he became famous for helping carry ammunition during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Uniquely, Wojtek was not just a mascot but an enlisted soldier, given the rank of Private, a service number, and his own papers in the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the 2nd Polish Corps!
In 1946, the men (and one bear) of the 2nd Polish Corps, were posted to Winfield Camp near Hutton, just a few miles from the River Tweed. Unable to return to a Soviet-controlled Poland, many were beginning new lives in Britain under the Polish Resettlement Corps. With them came Wojtek, who despite his intimidating and incongruous appearance was a gentle and playful companion.
Local people soon heard stories of the bear who walked upright, wrestled with his fellow soldiers, and shared their food and routines. He is said to have been taken to the River Tweed, where he enjoyed splashing and swimming in its waters.
Today, statues of Wojtek can be found in Edinburgh and in the Borders town of Duns, commemorating this remarkable animal and his extraordinary journey.
