Mrs Borzecka has been living in Scotland using her Polish identification card since 1947, but wanted to become a British citizen before going to Italy to visit Montecassino, where her husband, Slaw, fought in one of the most important battles of the second world war.

She will be leaving on May 11, the 11th anniversary of her husband’s death, and will be at Montecassino for the 60th anniversary of the battle on May 18, which will be attended by many veterans and war widows.

Mrs Borzecka wanted to apply for citizenship, but was told the application process could take up to three years, so she turned to Mr Luke for help.

Mr Luke took up her cause. He contacted the Immigration and Nationalities Department and explained the situation to them.

Thanks to his intervention, Mrs Borzecka’s application was turned around in just three months, and she will now be able to go to Italy as a UK citizen.

Mrs Borzecka underwent a period of forced labour during the war, before living as a refugee in post-war Europe until she came to Scotland in 1947.

Her husband was a Russian prisoner of war until the Nazis invaded Russia, when he was set free and joined the Second Polish Corps, who fought in the decisive battle that saw Montecassino Abbey reduced to ruins by allied bombing in three hours.

The couple moved to Dundee in 1951, where they ran a photography business for many years. Mr Luke said he was delighted to have played a part in helping Mrs Borzecka realise her dream of becoming a UK citizen.

“She’s a lovely woman and it’s great that we were able to get her application processed so quickly,” he said.