Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz - A Hero of Two Nations

Aug 23, 2026

Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz’s early life is traced from his Polish-Russian family background and birth in Warsaw in 1911 through wartime displacement to Moscow and the Caucasus. His parents’ separation leads to his stepfamily and eventual return to Warsaw, followed by schooling, scout involvement, and later settlement in Thessaloniki. The narrative then covers his studies in France and Belgium, attempts to secure Polish citizenship, and academic achievements in agricultural science, alongside a parallel, medal-winning sports career.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz's Childhood

Family background and birth

Move during World War I

Youth in Greece, Studies in Belgium and France

Education and scout involvement

University studies and citizenship

Sports Career

Club and competition achievements

National team and sailing

Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz in Greece and the Middle East 1939-1941

FREEDOM ABOVE ALL JERZY IWANOW-SZAJNOWICZ – A HERO OF TWO NATIONS JERZY IWANOW-SZAJNOWICZ'S CHILDHOOD Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz came from a Polish-Russian family. His father, Vladimir Ivanov (1879-1946), was a retired colonel of the Tsarist army, who, after completing his military service, began working asa railway employee in Warsaw. Jerzy's mother was Leonarda Jadwiga (1890-1978) -a Polish woman from the Szajnowicz merchant family from Warsaw. Jerzy's parents met by chance and soon got married. On 14th of December 1911 in their Warsaw apartment at Tamka Street their only son, Jerzy was born. He received the name in memory of St. George (pol. Jerzy) icon, which had been offered to the young, married couple by Jerzy's grandmother. After the outbreak of World War I, the Ivanov family first went to Moscow. After Jerzy’s father was drafted into the Russian army, they moved to the Caucasus. During the war, the marriage of Jerzy's parents began to deteriorate, and they eventually broke up. Then, Leonarda met the Greek merchant, Yoannis Lambrianidis, to whom, after divorce, she got married. In 1922 their son Antonis was born. Leonarda and her sons returned to their home city in Warsaw in 1922, and soon Yoannis who bought a mill near Warsaw, joined the family. Jerzy started education in a school in Warsaw, run by one of the religious orders . Shortly afterwards, his parents decided to leave permanently for Thessaloniki. The boys stayed in Warsaw and Jerzy, deprived of parental care, began to cause educational problems, which led to a change of school. At that time he joined the scouts and in the mid 1925 he took the scouting oath. At the end of the year, his stepfather sold the mill in Poland, and soon Antonis and Jerzy left for Greece. Wearing his school hat, early 1920 After arrival to Warsaw, 1923 YOUTH IN GREECE, STUDIES IN BELGIUM AND FRANCE In 1926 Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz came to Greece and settled in Thessaloniki at 3 Mavrokordatou Street with his family which expanded, in 1929 with the birth of his brother Aleksander. On arrival, Jerzy undertook studies in a French lower secondary school. He also became involved in the Scout movement. In 1933 he graduated from the Lyceum of the French secular mission school. This school was a branch of the Académie d’Aix-Marseille. One of the subjects that he decided to take during the matriculation examinations was the Polish language. In the late summer of 1933 Jerzy IwanowSzajnowicz went to Belgium, to start his studies at the Catholic University of Leuven. Initially he chose law, but after a year he changed the field of study to overseas agronomy. Two years later, a particularly important event took place in the life of Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz. As ason of a Russian officer, he had previously been a citizen of the former Russian Empire, but for several years he had tried to obtain Polish citizenship. He received it on 30 November 1935. Due to his studies he was not recruited to the Polish Army, but was transferred to the reserve. He received a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science on 15 October 1938. Despite gradual deterioration of his family's financial situation, he continued his studies and in the same year he undertook studies at the Institut national agronomique de la France d’Outre-Mer in Paris. He received his diploma three weeks before the outbreak of war in August 1939. He was also a member of the Polish Students'Association in Paris. Reaching the Hortiatis Mount., 1931 With his mother Leonarda and stepbrothers Antonis and Alexandros, 1936 SPORTS CAREER On arrival in Greece, Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz started his sports career. He became a member of the"Iraklis" ("Heracles") Sports Club in Thessaloniki. He trained short distance running, football and water polo, representing the club in all major competitions since 1928. In 1934 he was the champion of Northern Greece in the 100m race, but his extraordinary talent was shown in diving and swimming. In 1931

FAQs

What were Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz’s family origins and early home life like?

He came from a Polish-Russian family. His father was a retired Tsarist army colonel, and his mother belonged to the Szajnowicz merchant family in Warsaw.

How did Jerzy’s education and citizenship attempts develop before the war?

He studied in French schools and later attended the Catholic University of Leuven. He actively pursued Polish citizenship and received it on 30 November 1935.

What role did sports play in Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz’s life?

Sports ran alongside his studies, with achievements in running, swimming, diving, and polo. He earned medals at competitions in Greece and Belgium and later joined the Polish national team in water polo.

Aug 23, 2026

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