Article

16 June 08

Lawyer who dodged the gas chambers

Obituary of William Swienczyk Pyka, 1925-2008

William Pyka, who practised as a solicitor and accountant in Aberdeen and also taught at the then Robert Gordon’s Institute of Technology, led a colourful early life far removed from his adopted city.

Born in the southern Polish village of Cieszyn, as a teenager he was a member of the Polish Home Army and watched the movement of trains carrying many of those destined for the death camp at Auschwitz, 50 miles away. He never lost his desire to educate succeeding generations on the Holocaust, in order that they might learn the lessons of history.

Twice sent by the Germans to forced labour on farms, and twice recaptured after escaping, Pyka finally won his freedom after escaping from a penal camp in Western Germany as the Allies advanced.

His gift for languages was recognised and he became an interpreter n the interrogation of German prisoners. He came to Scotland in 1945 as a member of the Polish Free Forces and met and married his late wife, Alice Bruce.

After demobilisation in 1948, Pyka worked in a linoleum factory in Kirkcaldy before beginning his studies in economics and then law. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1958 and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1960.

After spending eight years as a partner with Cooper & Hay, advocates in Aberdeen, in 1968 he joined the staff at Robert Gordon’s Institute, where he was in charge of legal studies. At the same time he carried on a part time legal and accountancy practice until 1996 and 2003 respectively.

He continued to work for the Polish community in Scotland and was President of the Polish ex-Combatants’ Association in Aberdeen and District for over 40 years, for which he was awarded the Officers Cross of the Order of Merit (equivalent to an OBE) by the President of Poland in person at a ceremony in the Signet Library in November 2006.

He died on 8 March 2008 aged 82.

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