The General Langfitt Story
Appendix 2 - Methodology
Planning the Research
It was in Melbourne, where an informal 'Langfitt Group Association' has been formed, that the idea for this project arose, the desire to record their history being the motivation. In cooperation with 'Langfitt' people in Perth, where the majority of the group have settled, a funding submission was successfully made to the Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research and consultants Allbrook Cattalini Research Pty Ltd contracted to carry out the historical research and prepare the report.
The project was to result in this written document, together with transcripts of interviews, a photographic collection, mementoes and copies of archival material. A number of objectives were identified in the research brief:
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to preserve a specific piece of Australia's settlement history;
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to preserve a record of the names of the 'General Langfitt Group';
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to add to the record of Polish immigration to Australia;
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to record the experiences of a group of immigrant women and children;
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to provide material for future generations of the Polish community.
This report forms the major part, but only one part, of the project. The recordings of interviews and other materials which have been identified and preserved by members of the group are valuable, lasting, historical materials.
Collecting the Material
The material for this report came from two main sources: archival material from the Commonwealth Archives in Perth and Canberra; and interviews with members of the 'General Langfitt Group' in Perth and Melbourne.
A steering committee comprising the following members of the 'General Langfitt Group' assisted the consultants by selecting people to be interviewed, monitoring the project and reading drafts:
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Mietka Gruszka (convenor)
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Stanislaw (Stan) Harasymow
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Barbara Kaluzynska
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Tony Kozlowski
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Janusz (John) Smenda
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Halina Szunejko
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Mrs Z. Wasylkowski (Melbourne contact)
Several individual interviews were recorded, some with people who were adults at the time of their deportation and a number with people who were children. Many of those who were adults at the time have since died and it was fortunate that at least a few older participants were able to be interviewed. Some of these older people found it confusing to go back and remember, as they had lived through two wars and had family histories of previous exile in earlier wars. Most found it too painful to give more than a brief overview.
Each individual interview consisted of between two and six hours of recorded discussions. Parts of each interview were then transcribed. In addition group interviews were held, some with family groups.
The interviews recorded the experiences of people within the following broad themes:
Pre-1940: memories of Poland, family life, education, work and leisure, religion and politics, community life.
The war: the growing threat of war, the days before exile, separation of families, deportation, the journey to Siberia, survival in Siberia.
The camps: 'freedom', the journey to Persia (Iran), arrival in Africa, creating a new settlement (structure, work, school, accommodation), life in the settlement camps (the new environment, social, cultural life), news of the war, news of homeland and loved ones.
After the war: realisation that Poland could no longer be 'home,' camp life, continuing after the war, 'choosing' a new 'homeland', acceptance as immigrants to Australia, leaving Africa, expectations of Australia, the journey aboard the USAT General W. C. Langfitt
Australia: first impressions of Fremantle, Cunderdin and Northam transit camps, school, work contracts, settlement (accommodation, permanent work, community and family life), hardships and rewards of migration, ties with Poland, return journeys.
One of the major outcomes of this project has been the identification of valuable historical documents held by individuals. Many have collections of photographs, some from Poland, few, of course, from their years in exile but many of the Iranian, African and Indian camps and early times in Australia. Other interesting documents have also been preserved, such as transit documents, education records and copies of letters, some of which are final letters from loved ones, especially husbands and fathers who died or were killed in Russia. Copies of photographs and documents, along with the taped interviews, form part of a collection which will be retained by the 'General Langfitt Group'.
The archival searches led to the discovery of two files held at the Australian Archives in Canberra. One of these remains closed to public access but the other provides details on how the decision to bring the Polish refugees from Africa to Australia was taken, the visit to the Polish refugee camps by the Australian Immigration Commission and how the selection was carried out. A copy of this file forms part of the collection.