On 2 November 2026, the 26th anniversary of the death of Lady Sue Ryder, Iwona Golinska, President and Founder of the Polish Sue Association and Secretary of the Council of Polonia and Poles Abroad at the President of the Republic of Poland, paid tribute to this remarkable British wartime heroine by laying flowers at the Special Operations Executive (SOE) Memorial on Albert Embankment in London.
The commemoration honoured a remarkable woman whose wartime service, enduring friendship with Poland and lifelong humanitarian work created a lasting legacy of courage, compassion and solidarity.
Remembering Sue Ryder’s Service in the Polish Section of the SOE
The SOE Memorial commemorates the men and women who undertook clandestine operations during the Second World War.
The Special Operations Executive supported resistance movements in occupied Europe through intelligence gathering, sabotage and special operations.
Sue Ryder served in the Polish section of the SOE, an experience that forged a lasting connection with Poland and its struggle against Nazi Germany.
Her wartime service remains an important part of her legacy and of the shared history between Britain and Poland.
The memorial also features a sculpture of Violette Szabo, an SOE agent who was captured during her second mission in occupied France and executed at Ravensbrück concentration camp in 1945.
Her story stands as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who risked their lives in the fight against Nazi occupation.
The history commemorated at the SOE Memorial also offers an opportunity to remember the Polish contribution to the Allied war effort, including the Cichociemni — elite Polish paratroopers of the Home Army, trained for special operations in occupied Poland.
By laying flowers at this memorial, Iwona Golińska honoured Sue Ryder’s wartime service and the enduring bonds forged between the Polish and British peoples during the Second World War.
Although the memorial commemorates the wider history of the SOE rather than Sue Ryder personally, it provides a meaningful setting in which to reflect on her service in its Polish section.
From Wartime Service to a Lifetime of Humanitarian Work
After the war, Sue Ryder devoted her life to helping people whose lives had been devastated by conflict, particularly concentration camp survivors and others suffering from the lasting consequences of war.
Her humanitarian work reached many countries, but Poland held a special place in her heart. In recognition of her extraordinary contribution and commitment to the Polish people, she became known as Lady Ryder of Warsaw.
More on Sue Ryder on the link:
Her life demonstrated how wartime experiences could inspire decades of service to those in need. Her legacy continues to represent compassion, solidarity and the importance of remembering those who suffered.
Polish Sue: Keeping Her Legacy Alive
The Polish Sue Association was founded in London in 2016 in memory of Sue Ryder, Lady Ryder of Warsaw. Its mission is to preserve historical memory, promote education, encourage social engagement and strengthen the relationship between Poland and the United Kingdom.
The year 2026 marks the Association’s tenth anniversary — a significant milestone for an organisation dedicated to ensuring that Sue Ryder’s life and values remain known to future generations.
This commemorative tribute will reaffirm Polish Sue’s commitment to keeping her legacy alive through historical education, remembrance and community engagement.
We remember Lady Sue Ryder — a British wartime heroine, a great friend of Poland and a humanitarian whose life remains an enduring example of courage, solidarity and service to others.
Polish Sue Association — London, November 2026
Photos: Polish Sue, Archives.
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