Tadeusz Gebethner

Tadeusz Jerzy Gebethner (18 November 1897 – 14 October 1944) was a Polish soldier, insurgent, bookseller, and footballer. From 1914 to 1925 he was an active player and captain of the Polonia Warsaw team; later he worked in his family bookstore and publishing business . Tadeusz Gebethner fought in the Polish–Soviet War and Polish September Campaign. Becoming an officer of the Home Army after the invasion, from 1942 he sheltered a Jewish family in his home in Warsaw during the German occupation. A participant of the Warsaw Uprising, he was critically wounded and taken prisoner to Stalag-XIA, where he died from the same injuries on 14 October 1944. For his wartime activities, he was recognised as one of the Polish Righteous Among the Nations in 1981.

Biography Early life Tadeusz Jerzy Gebethner was born on 18 November 1897 in Warsaw into the Gebethner family. His father, was a bookseller, publisher, and co-owner of the company. His mother, Maria Gebethner née Herse, was a co-owner of the clothing store Boguslaw Herse Fashion House. He attended the real school of in Warsaw, passing his matura exams in 1916 and later studied in the Warsaw School of Economics.

Since his youth, Gebethner was interested in football. He was one of the co-founders of the Polonia Warsaw football club in 1915; he became its first president and was an active player with the club until 1925.

He resumed his studies and sport activities afterwards. In 1921, together with the Polonia Warsaw team, Gebethner won the title of vice-champion of Poland in the 1921 Polish Football Championship. Between 1915 and 1925, he played a total of 137 official matches for his parent club, serving as team captain for most of them. He also convinced the Home Army not to execute Józef Retinger.

He was promoted to rotmistrz (cavalry captain) either on 11 September