A 100-YEAR-OLD war veteran who was part of the crew that raced to defend Clydebank during the Blitz was among the guests of honour at a special concert marking the 80th anniversary of the devastating attacks on the town.

Richard Polanski was a member of the crew on board the ORP Piorun, the Polish warship which was undergoing repairs at the John Brown shipyard when the Luftwaffe’s bombs began falling on the town on March 13, 1941.

Mr Polanski was among the guests at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday night to listen to the world premiere of a special orchestral work commissioned by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) for the anniversary.

Mr Polanski and his family visited the Polish war memorial in Clydebank on Monday and were treated to lunch with West Dunbartonshire’s Provost, William Hendrie, as well as enjoying a visit to Queens Quay to see what the site of the famous shipyard looks like now.

And he’ll return to Clydebank later this week to see a special model of the Piorun which was made for the 75th anniversary commemorations of the Blitz in 2016 – and which West Dunbartonshire Council is bringing out of storage especially for him.

His daughter-in-law Elaine Polanski, who is originally from Clydebank, told the Post: “He was absolutely blown away by the concert – he just loved it.

“He loves classical music and orchestrations and he said it was both rousing and emotional - but that there was a happy side to it as well.”

Mr Polanski was actually on his way from Clydebank to a dance in Glasgow when the first incendiaries began landing on the town 80 years ago – but immediately realising what was happening, he raced back to his ship to do what he could to help.

The efforts of the Piorun’s crew in defending the town from the German bombers ensured the ship, and the men who served on her, have retained a special place in Bankies’ affections ever since the attacks.

Mr Polanski’s visit to the town this week – for which he travelled hundreds of miles from his home in Caithness – was the first time he’d been back in Clydebank since the war.

“We’d always had it in mind to go back to Clydebank and see what the town looks like now,” Elaine continued.

“I put a post on Facebook and hundreds of people got in touch to suggest what to do while he was here.

“He didn’t realise how much people still cared. He said ‘I can’t believe people are saying all these things about me’.

“He was so touched that people still remember.”

Sunday’s concert wasn’t the first time the public have been able to listen to the special composition - entitled Clydebank ‘41 and composed by the RSNO’s principal horn player, Christopher Gough.

It was premiered online in March, on the 80th anniversary, but the concert was postponed due to the Covid restrictions in place at the time, and Sunday’s event was the first chance for people to hear and see it in person.

Alistair Mackie, chief executive of the RSNO, said: “It was an honour to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the Clydebank Blitz and to acknowledge the resilience of the survivors of the devastating raids.

“Following the digital world premiere of Clydebank ’41 back in March, it was especially poignant to hear the music live and in person for the first time, alongside Blitz survivors who were able to attend the concert, including Mr Polanski.

“It is our hope that by sharing this music we are creating a legacy for future generations to learn about those who gave so much in 1941.”

Clydebank’s MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, who attended the concert, told the Post: “The RNSO performance was a deeply moving commemoration to those who lost their lives during the Clydebank Blitz as well as a fitting testimony to those who survived.

“As their children and grandchildren it is our duty to be vigilant to the issues that gave rise to National Socialism and to use these opportunities of commemoration to recommitment ourselves to stand against tyranny.

“I am also grateful for the leadership of the cross party working group of the council, of which I was a member, for their diligence in creating this fitting mixture of commemoration, community and culture.”

A WDC spokesperson said: “The RSNO concert is among a series of events which have been organised to commemorate the Blitz which devastated Clydebank, to remember those who lost their lives in addition to recognising the survivors and the community which came together and rebuilt the town.”

The progamme also included Mozart’s overture to The Marriage of Figaro, Sibelius’s Valse Triste, and Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances No2 and No3. Th

Musicians also performed Polish composer Wojciech Kilar’s Orawa and Mascgni’s Intermezzo Sinfonico.

The programme for the concert included a statement from WDC thanking the RSNO and all others who were involved in the production and adding: “It is important that we remember those citizens of Clydebank who lost their lives during the Blitz on March 13 and 14, 1941 and also the unacceptable loss of lives throughout Europe due to bombing in Germany and Poland.

“Equally, it is imperative that we acknowledge and recognise those individuals and services who came to the aid of the Clydebank people at their greatest time of need, in particular the crew of the Polish warship ORP Piorun, which was docked in Clydebank on that dreadful night.”