Stones for the Rampart, published in 1943, chronicles the lived experiences of Polish scout resistance fighters in occupied Warsaw.
Early Development and Scouting
Born in Warsaw in 1903, Kamiński spent his youth in Kiev, Rostov, and Uman due to family relocations. Following his father's death in 1911, he entered the workforce at age thirteen as a bank messenger. By 1918, he joined the 1st Men's Scouting Team in Uman, rapidly ascending to leadership positions. Returning to Poland in 1921, he completed his education at the Kazimierz Kulwieć Middle School and subsequently earned a master's degree in history from the University of Warsaw in 1928.
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Throughout the interwar period, Kamiński maintained a dual focus on academic instruction and scouting administration. He served as a history teacher and boarding house director while leading various scouting units, including the 14th Masovian and 3rd Pruszków teams. In collaboration with Jadwiga Zwolakowska, he developed the methodology for "cubs" training. His pedagogical insights appeared in multiple manuals, such as Antek Cwaniak in 1932 and Książka wodza zuchów in 1933, while he represented the Polish Scouting Association at international conferences in Great Britain, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Edinburgh.
Wartime Conspiratorial Activities
Upon the 1939 collapse of Polish defenses, Kamiński returned to Warsaw to manage an orphanage for displaced children. He soon joined the Grey Ranks, operating under several aliases, including Hubert, Fabrykant, and Kamyk. As the founder and editor-in-chief of the Information Bulletin, he oversaw the publication of the most significant underground newspaper in occupied Poland. His responsibilities expanded to include the leadership of the Propaganda Commission and the counterintelligence unit of the Main Headquarters of the ZWZ-AK.
Post-war Legacy
After the war, Kamiński served as a faculty member at the University of Łódź, continuing his work as an educator and writer until his death in 1978. Buried at the Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw, his contributions were recognized through several state honors, including the Silver Cross of Merit and the Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta. In 1991, Yad Vashem awarded him the title of Righteous Among the Nations for his humanitarian efforts.
Fast facts
- Born: 1903, Warsaw
- Died: 1978, Warsaw
- Education: University of Warsaw
- Key Publication: Stones for the Rampart (1943)
- Organization: Grey Ranks
- Post-war Employer: University of Łódź
- Recognition: Righteous Among the Nations (1991)
- Burial: Powązki Military Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the Information Bulletin?
It served as the primary conspiratorial newspaper in occupied Poland, reaching a circulation of 47,000 copies.
Why is Kamiński recognized as Righteous Among the Nations?
He received this honor in 1991 for his actions during the war that supported the survival of those persecuted.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Righteous Among the Nations — 1991
- Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Worked as historian, pedagogue and writer
- Educated at University of Warsaw
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