Eric Dabrowski / Eric D'Arcy

1925 to 2011

The amazing unicycling accordionist Eric Dabrowski died on March 26th, at the age of 86, in Darwen, Lancashire.

Born in Poland in 1924, Eric Dabrowski was the son of a Professor of Music. When World War Two broke out in 1939 Eric was studying engineering in Germany. He escaped through France and Spain, across to North Africa in 1942 where he joined the Polish Commandos, attached to the British 8th Army, under General Montgomery.

Eric took part in the invasion of Italy in 1943, including Monte Cassino in 1944. It was in Italy that Eric fell in love with the accordion. On visiting Loreto near Ancona, Eric was able to barter food, chocolate and cigarettes in exchange for his first accordion.

When the war ended, Eric arrived in England, where he went to work in a factory in Yorkshire. In his spare time, he practised the accordion, juggling, and built a unicycle, combining these skills into a unique stage act. Hughie Green, later to be famous as presenter of TV’s ‘Opportunity Knocks’, spotted Eric’s talents and took him touring in his variety show.

Eric married Thelma, a dancer, and they toured in variety shows as Eric D’Arcy & Diana. She learned to juggle, ride the unicycle, play xylophone and guitar. They were eventually joined by their daughter Pauline, an accordionist, and son Gregory, a drummer, and known as the D’Arcy Family.

When theatres started closing down in the 1960s they moved on to the club circuit. These years also saw them appear on Hughie Green’s ‘Opportunity Knocks’ television show.

In 1977 Eric took ill, dissolved the family act and retired from show business, which he had loved very much. Daughter Pauline Hardwick is nowadays an accordion and piano teacher, and a member of the North Staffs Accordion Club.

Eric D'Arcy and Diana

Eric D'Arcy and Diana

Diana and Eric D'Arcy

Eric D'Arcy and Diana

Eric D'Arcy and Diana, this time with both on unicycles

Pauline (daughter) and Diana

Eric D'Arcy and Diana

Diana, Eric, Gregory and Pauline making up the D'Arcy Family.