Kateryna Butczuk née Dydyk, was born on the 24th December 1926 in Opaka, near to Boryslav. 
One of several children, her father had served in the Austro-Hungarian army during the First World War.

In 1942, the Germans forcibly took a member of each family in the area to use as forced labour. Kateryna's mother was chosen. Terrified of what would happen to both her mother, and her younger siblings should her mother be taken, Kateryna volunteered to take her place. 
She was only 15 years old.

Alongside Kateryna, was her best friend from school Stefka Dub, who, like Kateryna, took her father's place.

Kateryna and Stefka were transported to Germany, where they served as forced labour. They worked in several factories in Essen and Dortmund, before being selected by an older, childless couple at a cattle market style 'sale' in a large hall, to serve as maids. 

The two friends managed to stay together and were treated fairly well by the couple, who called them 'kinder' (German for children), and bought them clothes and shoes, and gave them their own room, which they shared.

After Allied victory and liberation in 1945, Kateryna and Stefka ended up in a Displaced Persons Camp, operated by the Americans, of whom they were fond. It was here, at camp B-33 in Dorsten, that Kateryna would meet her future husband, Arkadij Butczuk, a fellow Ukrainian who had served in the UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army). 

The two would emigrate to Britain, and settle in Rochdale, forming a key part of the Ukrainian network in the area, and becoming heavily involved in the Ukrainian community. Kateryna was a skilled Ukrainian dancer, and in 1955 visited Paris as part of an exhibition, the only time she left the UK since arriving as a Displaced Person.

Kateryna's friend Stefka also came to Britain, but would leave in the 1950s to emigrate to Australia with her husband, however the two remained in contact for the rest of Stefka's life.

Once in Britain, Kateryna was reunited with her brother, who had served in the Galicia Division, and by 1947 was being held as a Prisoner of War in a camp in Nottingham. The two remained close for the rest of his life.

Kateryna and Arkadij would go on to have two children, both of whom they involved in the Ukrainian community.

Kateryna remained in contact with her mother and family in Ukraine throughout the War and over the following decades, although she would never return to her homeland.

Kateryna has always loved to bake and knit, but her true passion lies with gardening. Both she and her late husband Arkadij were green fingered, and spent many happy hours in their garden, keeping it immaculate. 

Today Kateryna still lives in Rochdale, with her son, and her dog Ruby. She has two children, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. She is proud of Ukraine, and of being Ukrainian, and says that she would not do anything differently today. She is an example of strength, bravery, and resilience against the odds.