Czesław Lech worked at Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych (Polish Secure Document Manufacturing Company) at 1 Sanguszka street. He lived with his wife, Helena, on the company property. During the occupation, the company came under German management, but the staff basically remained the same. Polish workers, among them Lech, fought against the invaders, printing money for the Polish Government-in-Exile and documents for the Home Army (Armia Krajowa).
In 1941, Helena and Czesław had a daughter, Maja. In the summer of 1943, the Lech family placed an advertisement in the Kurier Warszawski (”The Warsaw Courier”) seeking a child carer. Helena Majewska (her real name was Helena Tal), a Jew from Zawichost, responded. Her previous hiding place with the Zalewski family had been blown. The Lech family guessed the woman’s origins and, not only did they not refuse to provide her with work and board, they also ensured her safety. The girl remained with the Lech family until the Uprising.
On 1st August 1944, a unit of the Home Army was formed within the printworks. Its task was to seize the building. On 26th August, Czesław Lech took command, but perished two days later during the evacuation. Posthumously, he was awarded the Krzyż Waleczny (Cross of Valour).
Helena Lech, her daughter and Helena Tal found their way to Pruszków, and then to Piotrków Trybunalski. After the War, Helena emigrated to Israel.
