New relief installed on General Sikorski statue at Newark Cemetery

General Sikorski, Polish Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces in exile during World War II, tragically lost his life on 4 July 1943 in a plane crash in Gibraltar. His body was brought to Newark and laid to rest at the foot of the Polish Memorial, where it remained until its repatriation to Poland in 1993. The Commonwealth War Graves in Newark Cemetery continues to be a place of remembrance, the final resting place  of 397 Polish service personnel war graves and serving as a symbol of shared history.

 On 4 July 2023, Newark and Sherwood District Council, in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute and Newark Town Council, unveiled a life-size bronze statue of General Sikorski. Created by renowned sculptor Andrew Lilley, the statue depicts the General saluting the Polish Memorial Cross he unveiled more than 80 years ago. Andrew Lilley is also celebrated for his sculpture of Irena Sendler in Newark’s Fountain Gardens.

The newly installed relief, by Andrew Lilley, enriches this tribute by featuring a historic image of Winston Churchill, General Sikorski, and General Charles de Gaulle standing together beside a Cruiser Mk IIA CS (A10) tank—a powerful reminder of Allied unity during the Second World War.

Councillor Neil Ross, Armed Forces Champion at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This addition to the statue is not just a piece of art - it is a profound symbol of courage, leadership, and international solidarity. The relief adds an important historical detail to the statute and highlights General Sikorski’s role in the wider Allied effort during the Second World War. It reflects the strong links between Newark and the Polish community and ensures that future generations can learn about and appreciate this shared history.”

Anna Tryc-Bromley, Director of the Polish Cultural institute in London, said: "General Władysław Sikorski is one of the key figures of the Second World War whose role deserves wider international recognition. As Prime Minister of the Polish government-in-exile and Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, embodied the continuity of a nation that continued to fight for freedom despite occupation. The relief depicting General Sikorski alongside Winston Churchill and General Charles de Gaulle is an important commemorative gesture, reaffirming the shared history, values and  responsibility that shaped the Allied effort.”

Councillor Dawn Campbell, Leader of Newark Town Council, said: “The contribution of General Sikorski to the allied forces efforts during the second world war can never be understated and this relief adds further illustration of the importance of those contributions. As custodians of Newark Cemetery, we are honoured as a Town Council to play our part in honouring not just General Sikorski but all of the service men and women for who Newark Cemetery is their final resting place.”