Cholmondeley Commemorates the 86th Anniversary of the Arrival of Czechoslovak Troops in Great Britain
07.07.2026 / 10:27 | Aktualizováno: 07.07.2026 / 10:28
On Saturday, 4 July 2026, a commemorative ceremony was held at the memorial in the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire to mark the 86th anniversary of the arrival of Czechoslovak troops in Great Britain. The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom, Václav Bartuška, Defence Attaché Brigadier General Miroslav Heger, representatives of local authorities, veterans’ organisations, and members of the public.
The grounds surrounding Cholmondeley Castle became a refuge in July 1940 for more than 3,500 members of the Czechoslovak Army who had evacuated to Britain following the fall of France. Among the soldiers stationed there were future paratroopers Jan Kubiš and Josef Gabčík, who later carried out the assassination of Acting Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich as part of Operation Anthropoid.
The memorial at Cholmondeley was created by the renowned Czechoslovak sculptor Franta Belsky (1921–2000), who himself served there as a young soldier during the war.
The event was traditionally organised by the Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovak Veterans (MAFCSV), led by its Chair, Gerry Manolas. The ceremonial proceedings were supported by cadets from 100 Nantwich Squadron Air Training Corps and 310 (Widnes) Squadron Air Training Corps, accompanied by the drummers of Cheshire Drums and Bugles. Standard bearers from local Royal British Legion branches in Crewe, Nantwich, and Bunbury were also present.
Among the most poignant moments of the day was the presentation of a Poppy Lantern created by the Czech school Okénko London, as well as the return of a painting depicting the 1940 Czechoslovak military camp to the care of the Cholmondeley Estate. Both artefacts will be permanently displayed in the local chapel and will become part of future commemorative events.
Another noteworthy discovery was the exhibition of a second painting of the Cholmondeley camp, brought by Karla Rezna, a representative of the Czech Consulate General in Manchester. The painting had once belonged to her grandfather, RAF pilot and Battle of Britain hero General František Fajtl. Upon comparison of the two works, it was revealed that they had been created by the same artist.
Organisers emphasised that Cholmondeley is not only a place for remembering military history, but also a symbol of the extraordinary solidarity and hospitality shown by local residents to Czechoslovak soldiers during the war. This legacy of mutual understanding and cooperation endures to this day, continuing to strengthen the ties between British and Czech commu