Emilia Hammerton, Sto Lat!
A sincere Sto Lat and congratulations to Pani Emilia née Szczecina Hammerton, whose family and friends never sang truer words at her 100th birthday party yesterday.
She was born on 30 May 1924, in Sudół, Poland, and was 15 when occupying German soldiers captured her, and others – including her future first husband Józef Cyckoma – and took them to Germany to work as forced labour during the war.
The war ended for most in the West in 1945, but the Poles who refused to return to then communist-controlled post-war Poland languished for years in displaced persons camps in Germany. Pani Emilia lived in such a camp in the British army’s zone, with two of her three children, Zenona, born in 1943, and Józef junior, born in 1944. Józef’s twin, Adam, had died. Józef senior was allowed to visit “occasionally” as the IRO (International Refugee Organisation) put him and other refugees “to useful work” elsewhere.
The family arrived in New Zealand in 1950, under the auspices of the IRO. Emilia was pregnant with Richard. They swapped the German camp for the barracks at Pahiatua, and again waited to be told where to go. After taking on farming jobs in Ngakuru and Tirau, Józef senior moved his family to Auckland, and Pani Emilia has lived here ever since.
Pani Emilia celebrated her birthday with family who arrived from the South Island, Perth, and Canada, and close friends, over a lunch elongated in true Polish fashion with groaning tables, speeches, songs, tales, hugs, and much laughter. She said she felt like a queen, and yes, King Charles III did send her a birthday card, as did our Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, our Governor-General, Cindy Kiro, and our Minister for Seniors, Casey Costello.
Pani Emilia’s granddaughter Regina Wypych: “Babcia is still keeping well and continues to live independently in her unit. She is still a feisty, strong-minded lady who refuses to use a walker or a walking stick. She still enjoys cooking for herself, and going for walks. Best of all, she loves spending time with family and friends.”
Pani Emilia with her children, Zenona Pąk, and Józef and Ryszard Cyckoma.
The centenarian with most of her immediate family. To the right of her (front) are Tereska Wypych, Zenona née Cyckoma Pąk and Krysia née Pąk Radich with her husband, Paolo. To the left of her (front) are her son, Józef Cyckoma and Regina née Pąk Wypych holding Regina’s first grandchild, Pani Emilia’s first great-great grandchild, Lotte Van Kan. The others are, from left, Lesley Cyckoma, Ashika Maharaj, Julian Van Kan, Alina Wypych, Piotr Wypych, Ryszard Cyckoma, Michał Pąk, Stefan Wypych, and Paweł Wypych.
Pani Emilia with her friend Pani Irena Pąk, who will be 90 in October.
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More information about Pani Emilia’s journey to New Zealand is in the story about her daughter and son-in-law, Michał and Zenona Pąk, https://polishhistorynewzealand.org/michal-pak-zenona-cyckoma-pak/.