DETAILS of the funeral of Isle of Wight resident and Polish war hero, Col Otton Hulacki, have been announced.

Col Hulacki died at his home in Wootton on September 25, aged 101.

His funeral mass will be held at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church, Cowes, at 1pm on Wednesday, November 15.

A private committal will follow at the Isle of Wight Crematorium, Whippingham.

For his allied war service, he recieved the Polish Army Medal, the Monte Cassino Cross, 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-45.

But Islanders will remember him best for his role on board the Polish destroyer, ORP Błyskawica, which, with sister ship ORP Grom, saved Cowes and East Cowes from Nazi air attack in May 1942.

Col Hulacki had remained active in the Society of Friends of ORP Błyskawica for many years, holding the honour of being its honorary president.