File:Wojtek Bear 02.jpg

“Wojtek” (1942-1963) was a Syrian brown bear bought, as a young cub in April 1942, at a railway station in Hamadan, Iran, by the troops of the newly formed Polish II Corps during the long journey out of the Siberian labour camps through Middle East en route to Egypt. Wojtek became the mascot of 22 General Transport Company and in order to provide for his rations and transportation, he was officially enlisted as a soldier. Wojtek accompanied the bulk of the II Corps to Italy, serving with 22 Artillery Supply Company and during the Battle of Monte Cassino, in Italy in 1944, he helped move artillery ammunition.

After the end of World War II in 1945, Wojtek was transported to Berwickshire, Scotland, with the rest of 22 Company. They were stationed at Winfield Airfield, near the village of Hutton, in the Scottish Borders. Wojtek soon became popular among local civilians and the Polish-Scottish Association made him an honorary member. Following demobilisation on 15 November 1947, Wojtek passed the remaining years of his remarkable life at Edinburgh Zoo where he continued to interact with an adoring public.

The memorial inscription (English and Polish) reads "In memory of the men and women who fought "For Your Freedom and Ours"”. Words on the adjacent plaque convey the message “The sons and daughters of the wartime Polish people who settled here express our deepest gratitude. From the darkness of tragedies our families sought refuge in this beautiful country and made it their home and ours.”