Other Polish families One of them was Jan MAZUREK and on whose experiences an adventure novel could be based. He enrolled in the 2nd Polish Legion in Italy in unknown circumstances. His detachment was transported at the beginning of 1803 to Haiti, where he took part in operations against the anti-French uprising. He was taken prisoner of war by the British on 12 October 1803 after Cayes had capitulated. He was transported to Jamaica, where he was enlisted on 28 October 1803 to the 60th Regiment of Foot.33 Until 1810 his unit served in the Caribbean and then, after a short stay in England, was transported to the Cape on the man-of-war Lion (September 1811). After his service had ended, Mazurek submitted an application to settle in the Colony.34 There are reasons to believe that he established a family and had children. In 1835 a Johanna Margaretha MAZUREK (who died in 1852), probably his daughter, married Johannes Godfried BRUWER.35 In 1857 a Jan MAZUREK passed away, either the founder of the family or his son.36 Another person named Mazurek (Masureik), Karol Ludwik, married Maria Elisabeth BRUWER (who died in 1891). His second wife was Filliasthie Petra SWANEPOEL.37 It can be assumed that Karol Ludwik was the son or grandson of Jan MAZUREK from Poland. Since the second half of the nineteenth century, people bearing the names of Masureik, Masuriek, Masurik, Masureth or Masuret are encountered in South Africa. It is highly probable that all these persons are descendants of Jan MAZUREK. On 5 January 1818, another soldier of the 60th Regiment of Foot acquired the right to settle in the Colony – Jan BARINSKI (or Barenski).38 He was probably taken prisoner of war by the British after the capitulation of the Polish detachments on Haiti and enlisted into the British army.39 For a period he served there as a corpor
Polish soldier-immigrants to South Africa... (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261875382_Polish_soldier-i... [accessed Mar 29 2018].
