Continuing the Polish tradition, S/Ldr Pietraszkiewicz lobbied to gain the "Mother" for his squadron. The woman that would sort of take a patronage over pilots and ground crew. Thus, Lady Jersey, Countess of Richmond-former actress Virginia Cherrill and wife of Cary Grant-adopted 315 "Deblinski". Her first visit to the squadron must have went very well because, since then she was very dedicated in her new role, and she became instant hit among Polish pilots. During that visit squadron threw the party in her honor where apparently a lot of participants got inebriated, Lady Jersey a little tipsy herself.
    Pilots adored her and she requited by throwing parties for them once they moved to Northolt.
However, that relationship wasn't only about having fun. Almost from the very beginning, Virginia did take care about "her Poles" as she used to say. All those in POW camps got letters and packages form her. Twice, for Christmas, she bought presents for whole squadron-almost 200 men- personally writing cards for everybody. First time everybody got a blue scarf and a pair of socks. They gave her a Spitfire model and P.A.F. eagle. A very precious trophy for a 315's pilot was Virginia's worn stockings, which they wore when flying in high altitudes. She owned a mansion in Richmond, called "Old Palace" (once a property of the Queen), which she offered as a place to spend a weekend or holidays for 315's pilots. She continued to be a devoted "Mother" for 315 Squadron to the end of the war and worked with the American Red Cross and other charities in England. Then she met and married a Polish pilot Florian Martini. After the war the couple moved back to California.
    Although squadron moved many times she always found the time and a way to visit them. Thanks to her social position and her earnest attachment to 315 squadron she was a wonderful ambassadress for Poles and Polish cause.
She died in Los Angeles on 14 November 1999.


Left: Virginia as an actress. Right: Northolt, September 1941. Visiting "her boys" as a "Mother" of 315 Squadron.


Northolt, September 1941. From right: Jaworski, Czezowski, Stefankiewicz, Lady Jersey, Stalinski and ?.


Left: "Old Palace" 1941. From left: Jaworski, F/Lt Jasinski (tech.officer), Najbicz and Malczewski. Pilots stayed there for a small fee, which Lady Jersey never collected. Right: Northolt. August 1943. With F/Lt Drybanski (left) and S/Ldr Sawicz.


Caltishall Aug 14, 1945. Squadron's Day. Dispersal decorated for her last visit in the squadron.

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