Born in Hnidousy in 1894 Frantisek Koucky’s life was anything but ordinary. The Památník deska Františka Kouckého plaque commemorates a man of rebellion and courage. It stands as a silent testament to his defiance against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This unassuming plaque tells a story of a Czech sailor. A story often untold.
Frantisek’s early life saw him expelled from a Kladno gymnasium for his atheistic views. He trained as a butcher. At 17 he joined the Austro-Hungarian Navy. He became a ship’s cook eventually rising to the rank of chief steward. He served aboard the torpedo boat Tb 80. His naval career took him to Pula.
In Pula during World War I Frantisek’s life took a dramatic turn. He and a Croatian sailor Ljubomir Kraus hatched a plan. They aimed to seize the Tb 80. Their goal was to defect to Italian-controlled territory. Their daring plan however was betrayed. Before they could escape.
The ensuing court-martial was held aboard the battleship SMS Radetzky. Frantisek and Kraus were sentenced to death. On May 11 1918 they were executed by firing squad. Their bravery and defiance are remembered. The Památník deska Františka Kouckého plaque keeps their memory alive.
Frantisek’s legacy extends beyond his tragic end. A memorial plaque in Hnidousy also honors him. It was unveiled in 1923 with thousands in attendance. His name also features on a monument to World War I victims in Hnidousy. Frantisek’s sacrifice and the story of the Památník deska Františka Kouckého remind us. It reminds us of the courage of ordinary people. People who dared to challenge authority. Their actions echo even today. Their names deserve to be remembered. The Památník deska Františka Kouckého ensures that they are.