Andrzej Gawroński served in the regular Polish Army during World War II, then became a member of a partisan group and was wounded in 1944. After twice being arrested by officers of the Polish 'Department of Security' (Urząd Bezpieczeństwa, or UB) he fled Poland by boat via the Baltic sea, arriving in Australia in 1951. In Australia, he worked as a labourer, sales assistant, and clerk with the Victorian Police Force while studying part-time. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Education degree from Melbourne University and a Master of Education degree from Monash University.
He served in the Polish army and was awarded the Krzyż Walecznych (Cross of Valour) in 1944. Between 1959 and 1977 he taught with the Education Department. He was active as a translator as well as teaching Polish language and literature at Melbourne and Monash universities. He was a member of the Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW), the Australian and New Zealand Slavists' Association and the Polish Cultural and Artistic club. He prepared numerous radio broadcasts for Radio 3ZZ and Radio 3EA.