Grocholski Ksawery a.k.a. Brodaty, Leonard (1903 - 1947)

Hoover Institution (November 10, 2016)

Grocholski Ksawery aka Brodaty, Leonard, (1903-1947), from Grabów of the Syrokomla coat of arms, count, AK soldier, WiN activist. Born on February 14, 1903, in the Strzyżawka estate, son of Tadeusz Przemysław Michał (1839-1913), owner of the Strzyżawka estate in Podolia beyond the border, and Zofia from the Zamoyski family of the Jelita coat of arms (1865-1957). Graduate of the Academy of Commerce in Antwerp and the Faculty of Law at the University of Brussels. By profession, a merchant.

At the beginning of the occupation, he was arrested by the Germans. Released thanks to the efforts of his wife, of Austrian descent. Werner helped in his release at the time, who later maintained social relations with the Grocholskis, and through his mediation, it was possible to obtain the release or pardon from death for many Poles. In 1944, he was the administrator of the interests of Seweryn Prince Czetwertyński, imprisoned in a concentration camp. During the German occupation, he was active in the ZWZ-AK with the rank of second lieutenant. He participated in the Warsaw Uprising.

In 1945, he was recruited for intelligence activities in the WiN organization by the head of the intelligence cell, Waldemar Baczak. In the WiN conspiracy, he used the pseudonym “Leonard”. Until November 1946, in the Warsaw area as an informant and liaison, he was subject to the commander of the Central Area of WiN – Wincenty Kwieciński.

After the war, he maintained social relations with the British ambassador Cavendish-Bentinck based on former family friendship, which he used for WiN purposes. From August to December 1946, through his mediation, he passed several intelligence reports to the US ambassador Bliss Lane and the British ambassador Cavendish-Bentinck. Through his mediation, in October and November 1946, Halina Sosnowska passed intelligence materials and underground press to the US and British ambassadors.

Before his arrest, he lived in Brwinów near Warsaw. Arrested by the UB on November 14, 1946, in Warsaw along with Waldemar Baczak, Witold Kalicki, and Krystyna Kosiorek on charges of belonging to WiN and espionage. After a show trial, by the verdict of the WSR in Warsaw on January 14, 1947, under Article 7 of the MKK, sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out on February 24, 1947, in the Mokotów prison on Rakowiecka Street in Warsaw. Place of burial unknown, probably buried in the cemetery in Służewiec. Rehabilitated by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Poland on March 8, 1991.

He was married to Katarzyna from the Stangierski family (born 1909), with whom he had daughters: Xawera Maria (born September 20, 1939) married Rzepecka and Gabriela (born December 28, 1940).

Andrzej Zagórski
WiN Historical Notebooks, Biography was published: “White Eagle”; No. 3(102), March 2000.

Judicial Murder – Show Trial of Count Xawery Grocholski – Son of Tadeusz, 1947

Photo Gallery from the Trial of Count Xawery Grocholski

Repressed Person’s Questionnaire

From “Evening of Warsaw”

Documents from the Warsaw Uprising

Documents handed over by the Head of the Investigative Department of the MBP, Lt. Col. Józef Różański, to Captain Deska from the First Department of the Second Directorate on January 25, 1947, for use in the investigation conducted against Waldemar Baczak, Ksawery Grocholski, Witold Kalicki, and Krystyna Kosiorek.