IBMT Newsletter www.international-brigades.org.uk Issue 36 / 1-2014 INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE MEMORIAL TRUST Final sacrifice remembered at the Ebro

Seafarers who paid the price for helping the Republic E E R M U O CT R LE C L EN A L RI O EM M

Speakers include Carl-Henrik Bjerstrom, Carmen Herrero, Paul Preston and Jane Rogoyska

For booking details see page 26 NEWS

Issue 36 / 1-2014 13 Cover story Photo: Jim Jump Geraldine Puxty on aunt and uncle Kathleen and Albert Hobbs 3-8 News GThe IBMT’s Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh GNottinghamshire volunteers honoured GMotherwell memorial unveiled The IBMT’s “Antifascistas” exhibition on show in 9 Anniversary the ruined church in Corbera d’Ebre, which has been Poem by Francesca Beard for 75th preserved as a war memorial. The IBMT’s new anniversary of volunteers’ return plaque is located next to the church and overlooks the Ebro battlefield. 10-11 From the Secretary 12-16 Features To mark the last stand of the British Battalion in Spain 75 years ago… GWalking around the Brunete battlefield GSeafarers who braved attacks to continue sailing to Spain Ebro memorial unveiled GMargaret Powell remembered A plaque to the British Battalion’s last stand in In English, Spanish and Catalan, the plaque 17 Can you help? southern Catalonia in September 1938 was explains that 23 of the British Battalion’s volun - 18-19 Letters unveiled on 24 September 2013 by family mem - teers were killed during those final three days of bers of those who took part in the fighting. combat in the Battle of the Ebro, along with 175 of 19-20 Obituaries Erected by the IBMT, it stands next to the old their Spanish comrades in the battalion. 21-24 Books church of Corbera d’Ebre, which was ruined dur - On 21 September 1938 the beleaguered Span - ing the Battle of the Ebro and itself has been pre - ish Republic announced the repatriation of all for - 25-26 Multimedia served as a memorial. eign volunteers from its army. The move was a 26 What’s on Among the speakers at the unveiling were Jordi vain attempt to put international pressure on Palou-Loverdos, Director of the Catalan govern - Hitler and Mussolini for the withdrawal of their ment’s Memorial Democratic agency, IBMT repre - troops and aircraft from General Franco’s rebel The IBMT Newsletter is published twice a year sentatives, local dignitaries and family members forces. and is sent free to all members. Back numbers of International Brigade volunteers. The British Battalion elected to remain in its can be downloaded from the IBMT website on front-line positions until being stood down three [www.international- brigades.org. days later. uk /newsletter.htm]. All content is the At the unveiling ceremony IBMT Secretary Jim copyright © of the IBMT and credited 2014 subs now due Jump said the new memorial would inform future contributors and cannot be reproduced IBMT subscriptions for 2014 are now due. If you generations of the heroism, suffering and sacri - without permission. have not already done so, and don’t pay by direct fice of the International Brigades and their Span - Editor debit, please send your payment to the ish comrades. Jim Jump Membership Secretary at the address below. He added: “Seventy-five years ago, in Septem - 6 Stonells Road, London SW11 6HQ Subscription rates remain the same as last year. ber 1938, these volunteers were defending 020 7228 6504 See application form on page 20 for the UK and democracy and shedding their blood for the [email protected] overseas rates. When returning your cheque, cause. clearly state your name and address so that these “Let’s not forget that in that very same month, International Brigade Memorial Trust can be matched with our membership records. September 1938, the governments of Britain and www.international-brigades.org.uk Also, please consider paying your subs by direct France were shamefully doing a deal with Hitler Charity no: 1094928 debit. The direct debit form can be downloaded at: and Mussolini in Munich. [www.international-brigades.org.uk/join.htm]. “Britain and France had already abandoned the Send cheques and completed direct debit Spanish Republic to eventual defeat. At Munich forms to: IBMT Membership Secretary, they sacrificed another democracy – Czechoslo - 2 Woodford Close, Radyr Way, Cardiff CF5 2PH. vakia – and made world war inevitable.” For any queries, tel: 029-2019 5412; email: Jump also thanked Duncan Longstaff, the IBMT [memsec@inter nat ional -brigades.org.uk]. Trustee who had organised the memorial, as well Continued overleaf

3 NEWS

GROUP: IBMT members and friends from the US and Spain visit the Ebro battlefield while on a week-long stay to tour local civil war sites and participate in the unveiling of the new memo - rial at Corbera d’Ebre.

FOR THE MEDICS: A new plaque was also unveiled at the site of the cave hospital at La Bisbal de Falset during the 75th anniversary commemo - ration on the Ebro battlefield. It replaced a plaque that was stolen earlier in the year.

CROSSING: Members of the CORBERA D’EBRE: Flowers (above) by the newly British-based Spanish Civil War unveiled plaque raised by the IBMT to mark the reenactment group La Columna position of the last stand of the British Battalion joined fellow reenactment (about 2km in the background). enthusiasts from Spain and elsewhere on 27 July for a 75th MEMORIAL STONES: Two more memorials (left) anniversary crossing of the River were unveiled last year during commemorations of Ebro at the start of the Battle of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Ebro. One is the Ebro. The event was held in on Hill 402 above Corbera d’Ebre (above left), where Fayón, Aragon, where there is a the 35th Division had its HQ during the battle for Battle of the Ebro museum Gandesa. The second one (left) is at La Fatarella, (www.labatalladelebro.com). For commemorating the last combat fought by the more about La Columna contact Spanish Republican rearguard. [[email protected]].

the Battle of the Ebro, and translated into Spanish IBMT President Marlene Sidaway read out the by his grandson, Gideon Long. Cecil Day Lewis poem in tribute to the International Ebro memorial The message said: “My thoughts are with the Brigades, “The Volunteer”, four lines of which are From previous page many International Brigade volunteers that I’ve reproduced on the plaque in Corbera d’Ebre. as fellow Trustee Mary Greening and IBMT Patron had the privilege to know over the years, all of The IBMT’s “Antifascistas” exhibition, with a Rodney Bickerstaffe, who gave generous dona - them, sadly, now gone. Among them was my translation into Catalan, was displayed inside the tions towards the cost of the project. good friend Jack Jones… Those brave men and church until the end of December. A message from Bickerstaffe was read out by women are now gone – but their memory and the Dolores Long, IBMT Chair and daughter of Sam lessons they taught us live on – thanks in no small A slideshow of photos of the unveiling can be viewed here: Wild, commander of the British Battalion during part to memorials like this.” [http://bit.ly/16ymnw8]. When the war in Spain reached British shores On 2 November 2013 the Span - coist warship, the Nadir , and ship. But 29 others were cap - ish Civil War reenactment group sank 12 miles north-east of tured by the Nadir . La Columna marked the 75th Cromer. It later emerged that Seventy-five years to the day, anniversary of the only military information about the members of La Columna – incident of the Spanish Civil War Cantabria ’s movements had including several IBMT mem - that took place in Britain: the been supplied to Franco by Nazi bers – set up an Aid for Spain sinking of the Cantabria off the German intelligence. stall outside the Cromer La Columna reenacts the arrival Norfolk coast. Sixteen of the crew and family Museum and later told sur - of rescued seafarers and families The Spanish Republican members were rescued by the vivors’ stories at the RNLI’s in Cromer on 2 November 1938. freighter was shelled by a Fran - Cromer lifeboat and a nearby Henry Blogg Museum.

4 International Brigade Memorial Trust Edinburgh hosts weekend of AGM events The IBMT’s Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh on 12 October 2013 was preceded by a gathering of more than 120 supporters at the International Brigade memorial in East Princes Street Gardens in the heart of the Scottish capital. Speakers included Labour city councillor Gor - don Munro and historian Daniel Gray, the main organisers of the weekend of activities linked to the Trust’s AGM. They were joined by IBMT Scot - land Trustee Mike Arnott and Reinhardt Silber - mann of the KFSR German International Brigades friendship group. Wreaths were laid by, among others, represen - tatives of GMB Scotland, the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association and Unison North Lanark - shire Branch, all of whom helped fund the week - end’s events. Gallo Rojo Later in the day there was an “Evening of Span - performing at ish Songs and Stories” at the Canons’ Gait pub, the IBMT social. which was packed for the occasion. The main attraction was local group Gallo Rojo, made up of Left: Gordon Munro (on left of the International Brigade Scots musicians and locally-based Spaniards. memorial) addresses the meeting in East Princes Street Gar - Daniel Gray read extracts from his book, dens. Daniel Gray (on right of memorial) looks on. “Homage to Caledonia”, about the Scottish vol - unteers and poems were recited by Gordon Who Fought Franco” at the White Horse Bar. Munro and IBMT Secretary Jim Jump. To welcome the IBMT’s AGM in Edinburgh, Neil Findlay, Labour MSP for Lothian, tabled a motion in Attended the Scottish Parliament noting “the considerable The AGM itself was attended by some 70 mem - contribution made by hundreds of Scots as part of bers. They re-elected the Executive Committee for voluntary international forces in the fight against a further 12-month term of office and approved the fascism in Spain” and recognising “the tireless committee’s report of activities and financial work” of Scots in contributing to the Aid for Spain report. ports in the face of aerial and naval attack from movement. The AGM heard that the IBMT’s financial deficits Franco’s warships and by bombers and sub - The motion went on to declare: “The Edin - of the previous two years had been reversed. marines sent by his allies Hitler and Mussolini (see burgh events will reflect a commitment to oppos - Thanks to the 2013 subscriptions increase and the pages 14/15). ing modern fascism, racism and prejudice. Parlia - affiliation of 10 national trade unions over the past The weekend also featured a radical tour of the ment commends the International Brigade 12 months, a healthy surplus was achieved in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh led by Gordon Memorial Trust for its ongoing and unstinting financial year to April. Munro. The walk began at the memorial to Irish work in keeping alive the memories of the Scot - Strong support was voiced at the meeting for republican and socialist James Connolly, who tish contingent and all those other brave men the Trust to redouble efforts to secure a memorial lived in the city for several years. and women who made up the International to the merchant seafarers who died and risked There was also a special screening of the two- Brigades as they hold their Annual General Meet - their lives while sailing to Republican Spanish hour 2009 Scottish TV documentary “The Scots ing in Scotland.”

CARD: This dove …this year we’ll be in Oxford in September of peace was sketched in 1996 The IBMT’s Annual General academic term time, making Six of the Oxford volunteers especially for Meeting will take place ear - it harder to find suitable ven - were killed in Spain: Edward International lier than usual this year so ues and accommodation in Burke, Anthony Carritt, Fran - Brigade veterans that it can be held in Oxford. Oxford. cis Dewhurst, Lewis Clive, by Spanish poet Saturday 6 September is The IBMT is currently back - Ralph Fox and John Rickman. Rafael Alberti. the date chosen for the AGM ing moves by Oxford Trades As is usual, the IBMT will The image is now and the venue will be Ruskin Council to raise a memorial to aim to organise a programme on a new IBMT College, the further educa - the more than 20 volunteers of events over the AGM greetings card. tion college supported by from the city and university weekend. Details will be Measuring roughly 10cm x 15cm, the card trade unions. who joined the International announced later this year. has no printed message inside, so can be Until now, the Trust’s AGMs Brigades. Oxford City Council used for any occasion. The cards can be have been held in mid-Octo - is supporting the initiative See page 26 for more information ordered online at the IBMT website ber. However, that time of and is offering to provide a about the AGM and accommodation at (www.international-brigades.org.uk) or year would have clashed with suitable site. Ruskin College. see the inside back cover.

International Brigade Memorial Trust 5 NEWS

BELFAST:A plaque naming ST ALBANS: Folk duo Na-mara (above) headlined a ben - Belfast volunteers William Beat- efit concert at The Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans, on 6 COUNTY LOUTH: tie and Dick O’Neill was unveiled December 2013 to raise funds A plaque naming seven local volun - on 26 July 2013 on the Interna- for a memorial statue of teers was unveiled on 16 November 2013 in the Slieve tional Wall, Falls Road, as part of Thomas Watters by local Foye Forest Park between Carlingford and Omeath, the city’s annual Anti-Racism sculptor Frank Casey. Watters County Louth. It was erected by the Friends of the Inter - World Cup amateur soccer tour- was one of the last surviving national Brigades in Ireland. nament. Beattie was killed at the British veterans of the Span - Battle of Jarama on 14 February 1937 and O’Neill died on ish Civil War until his death 23 July in the Battle of Brunete. early in 2012 at the age of 99. Though born in Scotland, Thomas lived in St Albans after his return from Spain, where he served with the Scottish Ambulance Unit from 1936-38. Casey has already produced a maquette (right) of his proposed memorial.

MADRID: A plaque was unveiled on 9 November 2013 in DURHAM: The IBMT banner was carried proudly at the Madrid’s University 2013 Durham Miners’ Gala on 13 July. Among those pic - City campus to tured here are IBMT President Marlene Sidaway (left), remember the arrival Pete Widlinski (behind her) and Sheila Gray (right). of the International Brigades on 8 November 1936 and their key role in the defence of the city. Raised by the AABI Spanish International Brigades friendship group and ACER, the IBMT’s sister organisation in France, the memo - rial can be found at the Casa de Velásquez (c/ de Paul Guinard 3). In November 1936 the British Battalion had not yet been formed, so many volunteers from the British Isles fought in the Commune de Paris Battalion of the XI International Brigade, which is named in the new plaque.

DERRY:Supporters gather for the inauguration of a plaque (inset) to the International Brigade volunteers from north-west Ireland on 18 July 2013 in the Unite the Union office in Derry/Londonderry. Erected by the North West Spanish Civil War Project and supported by Unite and Derry Trades Union Council, the plaque was unveiled by the union’s Regional Sec- retary, Jimmy Kelly. It LEICESTER: More than 50 IBMT Watts and two other local volunteers member of the society and an active names 24 men from supporters gathered in Leicester’s who died in Spain: Fred Sykes and trade unionist. They included Allan County Donegal, Victoria Park on 25 September 2013 to Jack Watson, who were killed at the Stanley and Ann Green of the trades County Derry/Lon- mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Jarama in February 1937. council and LSS President Harry Perry, donderry and County death of local volunteer Roy Watts in Speakers were drawn from the along with society members Eleanor Tyrone who served in the Battle of the Ebro. They met at the Leicester & District Trades Union Davidson and IBMT activist Lyn Hurst, the International International Brigade Memorial in the Council and the Leicester Secular who organised the event and is pic - Brigades. park’s Peace Walk, which names Society (LSS) – Watts having been a tured above (on right) speaking.

6 International Brigade Memorial Trust Left (from left): Kirsty Weatherall, granddaughter of Frank Ellis of Hucknall, Councillor John Allin (Chairman of Notting - hamshire County Council), Councillor Alan Rhodes (Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council) and Catherine Turnell, holding a picture of her great uncle George Turnhill.

Labour honours pledge to

The reinstated information board (above) and the new plaque (below) to mark the restoration and rededication of the Not - restore Notts memorial tinghamshire memorial. Nottinghamshire volunteers who gave their lives Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. Nine were fighting fascism were remembered during a killed during the conflict. service to rededicate a memorial at County Hall, Councillor Alan Rhodes, leader of Notting - Nottingham, on 27 July 2013. hamshire County Council, said: “Many people The ceremony saw the reinstatement of are unaware of the significance of the Spanish a public information board with details of Civil War as a forerunner to the Second World the volunteers. The board was controversially War or the role played by people from this coun - removed in May 2009 after the Conservatives try and our county in fighting fascism, even won the county council election. before Hitler’s assault on Europe. To mark the memorial’s rededication, a new “It is vital that this does not become a forgot - plaque was unveiled. The inscription includes a ten conflict and in particular that the bravery and poem by Ralph Windle, “Spain 1936-39”. selflessness of volunteers from Notting - Labour regained control of the council in the hamshire are remembered.” local elections of May last year and immediately The International Brigade memorial at County Hall was unveiled in September 1993 by Jack “It ’s a shame that so few people Jones and Spanish ambassador Alberto Aza. It know about the Spanish Civil was commissioned from Doncaster-based sculptor Michael Johnson and depicts a scene War or the sacrifices made by the from the conflict showing bombed-out build - like my grandad. No one told them to go to fight ings. A separate plaque lists the names of the fascism, it was just something they passionately volunteers from this country, like volunteers. believed in.” my grandad. No one told them to IBMT President Marlene Sidaway welcomed She continued: “My grandad also fought in go to fight fascism, it was just the reinstatement of the information board, and the Second World War, which is rightfully thanked all those who had made it possible, remembered. But although he was thanked by something they passionately including the local Trade Union Council. the Spanish government through the award of believed in. ” “Why is it so important to have the informa - honorary Spanish citizenship, there is little tion panel next to the International Brigade recognition in this country. So I am pleased that arranged the return of the information board memorial?” she asked. “Because so little is the county council created the memorial in the next to the main memorial. known, or taught about the Spanish Civil War, first place and have decided to rededicate it.” The move fulfilled a pledge given while Labour yet it happened at a seminal moment in the his - Another of the speakers was Catherine Tur - was in opposition that it would restore the tory of the 20th century.” nell, great niece of George Turnhill of Worksop, integrity of the county’s memorial. Among the family members attending was who was killed at Teruel in January 1938. As well as speeches and wreath-laying by fam - Kirsty Weatherall, granddaughter of Frank Ellis Others who died were Bert Tagg, Eric Whalley ily members and others, there were Spanish Civil from Hucknall, who died in 2007. and Alfred Woodhouse from Mansfield and War songs from the Nottingham Clarion Choir. She said: “It’s a shame that so few people James Burley-Poole (known as Terry Grant), Over 20 men from Mansfield, Hucknall, Work - know about the Spanish Civil War or the sacri - Robert Goodman, R Grant, John Mellors and sop and Nottingham joined the International fices made by the volunteers from this country, Bernard Winfield from Nottingham.

International Brigade Memorial Trust 7 NEWS

INSCRIPTION: The brass plaque in honour of those who fought against Franco that artist Christine Jones is UNVEILING: Mike Arnott (left) speaks at the inauguration of the new memorial in Motherwell, which on its reverse photographing with different people holding it in Scot - quotes the famous words of Dolores Ibárruri, “La Pasionaria”, in praise of the International Brigades. land and Spain. See “Mobile plaque project”.

viduals holding the plaque at locations of signifi - Geoff Jackson, who rode from Glasgow to Motherwell memorial cance, beginning in Scotland, then in Spain.” Barcelona in the spring of 1938 to raise funds for She continues: “If anyone would like to get in the Republican cause. draws the crowds touch with me for whatever reason, then they are very welcome. I’ve already had a few people con - A memorial to volunteers from North Lanarkshire tact me. I’m always interested to hear stories of In brief who fought against Franco was unveiled on relatives of International Brigaders.” GThe Belfast-based International Brigade Com - 20 July 2013. Christine was in Edinburgh on 12 October for memoration Committee held a well attended A large crowd gathered at Motherwell’s the IBMT’s Annual General Meeting and took meeting at the Shankill Road Library on 2 Duchess of Hamilton Park to witness the cere - photos at the rededication of the Edinburgh Inter - August 2013 as part of the city’s Féile an Phobail – mony. Speakers included North Lanarkshire’s national Brigade memorial. They can be seen on the People’s Festival. The hall was full to capacity Provost, James Robertson, who commended the her project blog: [http://stillcause.blogspot. as people came to hear IBCC Chair Ciaran heroic struggle of the International Brigades co.uk/2013/10/ibmt-rededication-to-memorial- Crossey talking on the topic, “From Belfast to the against fascism. in.html]. Later in the month she was taking pho - Ebro”. He spoke of the local men who had fought Several of the relatives of the 40 local volun - tos outside the Spanish consulate in Edinburgh. and those who had died there. Two nephews of teers – of whom 11 died in Spain – unveiled the Shankill volunteer Henry McGrath, killed at the memorial, and wreaths were laid to the accompa - Ebro, were at the meeting and the event hon - niment of a piper. Cyclists keep date in Barcelona oured his memory. Other speakers included Mike Arnott, repre - A group of cyclists from Britain commemorated senting the IBMT, and Daniel Gray, author of the 75th anniversary of the withdrawal of the GThe North Ayrshire Trades Union Council “Homage to Caledonia: Scotland and the Spanish International Brigades by riding from Bilbao to organised an evening event on 6 September Civil War”. Barcelona, arriving in the Catalan capital in time 2013 centred on the memorial in Irvine Library to The memorial stone is inscribed with the words for the 28 October anniversary of the volunteers’ local Brigader John Smith, a Kilwinning miner of Spanish Republican leader Dolores Ibárruri farewell parade in 1938. who was killed at the Ebro in September 1938. (“La Pasionaria”), which praise the ideals, com - The National Clarion Cycling Club 1895 mem - mitment and sacrifice made by the volunteers bers were joined by Spanish supporters as they GThe International Brigades featured in the syl - “for the cause of all advanced and progressive cycled across northern Spain, visiting emblem - labus of the Tolpuddle Radical History School mankind”. atic sites such as Guernica, Sartaguda, Belchite for the first time in 2013. The school is organised The event was organised by the No Pasaran and Corbera d’Ebre. each year by the South West region of the TUC as Memorial Committee North Lanarkshire. Com - Led by club secretary Charles Jepson – who is part of the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival in Dorset in mittee member Jim Baxter said: “To see such a also the IBMT Treasurer – the ride was dedi - July. The theme of the latest school, which large crowd, young and old alike, speaks volumes cated to the memory of four club members who attracts union activists and festival-goers, was for the inspirational message the volunteers have joined the International Brigades: Raymond “Lessons from the 1930s” and one of its sessions given of belief and understanding.” Cox, Tom Durban, Tom Oldershaw and Roy was devoted to a talk and discussion led by IBMT Watts (Cox and Watts were both killed in Spain). Secretary Jim Jump titled “Spain 1936-39: When Mobile plaque project The club also honoured members Ted Ward and British trade unionists took to arms”. Scottish artist Christine Jones has created a pho - Among the stops made by the tography memorial website – [http://enmem Clarion cyclists (three of them oria2013.tumblr.com] – as part of a project to take pictured on far left) on their way photos of people in Scotland and Spain holding a to Barcelona was the memorial park in Sartaguda, Navarre plaque dedicated to those who fought Francoism (left), known as “the village of both during the Spanish Civil War and afterwards. widows”, where 86 supporters Inspired by the life and work of Gerda Taro (see of the Spanish Republic, out of book review page 21), she says her work is a population of just 1,200, “focused on the legacy of the Spanish Civil War were murdered in 1936 by found in the historical memory movement in supporters of Franco’s coup. Spain today”. Here, a Navarrese dancer Christine adds: “The plan is to photograph indi - greets the cyclists.

8 International Brigade Memorial Trust 75 th ANNIVERSARY

Poem written by Francesca Beard (right) and read by her at the commemoration in London on 7 December 2013 to mark the 75th anniversary of the return of the volunteers from Spain…

No Pasarán wave of new disaster. Francesca Beard They shall not pass erased, dissolved, unfeatured They shall not pass unknown into the dark, In the tales we tell our children. Not while there’s words to form the shapes of And these tales will light our way, will. FOOTAGE: Stills from the film “Welcome to the Interna - Will be a torch to hold the circling dogs at bay. They shall not blur into the crawling grain of tional Brigade” show the return of the British Battalion We must tell our children they did not pass, from Spain on 7 December 1938, arriving by ferry in time For we must guard our children against the Newhaven (top) and then being greeted by crowds at Lon - That shades the murky fact and story of each dangers outside and in. don’s Victoria Station (above). ill, factored The film was especially digitised by the British Film So they shall not pass without our reaching for Institute for the IBMT for screening on 7 December 2013 By ourselves against ourselves. their names, when 250 people packed the Rich Mix arts centre in Lon - They shall not pass beyond the grasp of reason And we will reach for them upon this night, don’s East End for “No Pasarán: A Night To Remember” to to reason why they acted. celebrate the 75th anniversary of the return of the volun - And again on each night teers from Spain. The event was organised by Philosophy They shall not suffer to be unconsigned to That we have need to reach for light to chase Football in association with the IBMT. history and to relegation the hidden things away, The 6-minute film, believed to have been made in 1938 For the crime of testifying to the crimes against by Ivor Montagu of the Progressive Film Institute, was one To see our faces and the shadows that we ourselves committed. of the emotional highlights of a memorable evening. make, The film records the arrival of the volunteers at Victoria The things they knew shall not be hidden. Together, in crowds, alone, in mirrors, Station, where they are welcomed by labour movement They shall not be bypassed, undermined, Stripped of all masks and institution, dignitaries, notably Clem Attlee, leader of the Labour Party. Blanketed by the cosy ease of our forgetting. With the soundtrack lost, the IBMT arranged for the Past and future islands, all of us. addition of the Funeral March of “Ballad of Heroes”, which They shall not pass neglected, They will not pass disrespected into disrepair, Benjamin Britten wrote during the Spanish Civil War in Unpropertied orphans. They will not pass unclaimed by us, honour of the International Brigades. They shall not pass like undiscussed Each name will be attended, assumptions. Each sacrifice, a garden, They shall not pass like laws that guard the Each act of courage, a tiny barricade of hope rich against the poor, against despair. Pass like corruption through corridors of They will not pass without witness, unopposed power, They will not pass without honour, Pass like thieves in the night, through ends They will not pass like this too shall pass. Where those that money and law forgot Not obscurity or abandon will own them, Must take their chances But we will own our debt to them, Without the chances And they will own a place in our hearts. ON STAGE: Among the speakers and performers at the That favour those with money and law. For they are citizens of freedom and entitled, 75th anniversary event in London were (from left) Bob They shall not pass like gentle rain, Crow, General Secretary of the RMT transport workers’ Belonging to each of us, union, comedian Mark Steel and actor Maxine Peake. To wash away the traces of past shame of Belonging to each place There were contributions too from singer-songwriter action, of inaction, Where justice and reason rule. Maddy Carty, performance poet Francesca Beard (see Of ignoring and denying. panel on right), historian Richard Baxell and “socialist They shall have the keys to all true R&B” band Thee Faction –who ended the evening with a They will not pass as jetsam, washed away, democracies rousing rock ’n roll version of “Jarama Valley”. A panel dis - Upon the Thames, the Liffy and the Severn. And there they shall pass. cussion about the legacy of the International Brigades They shall not pass forgotten, included contributions from Stop the War activist Salma Faint fame eroded with each remorseless London, December 2013 Yaqoob, writer Daniel Trilling, broadcaster Paul Mason and Olga Abasolo of Spain’s Indignados movement.

International Brigade Memorial Trust 9 FROM THE SECRETARY

The International Brigade Memorial Trust keeps alive the memory and spirit of the men and women who volunteered to defend democracy and

fight fascism in Spain Madrid Complutense University staff examine the latest act of vandalism against from 1936 to 1939 the International Brigade memorial, which took place last November. The red paint has now been removed. www.international-brigades.org.uk facebook.com /groups/7123291063 twitter.com/IBMT_SCW Welcome assurances on Madrid memorial liament and an international petition campaign Charity no. By Jim Jump have, apparently, taken the authorities in Spain 1094928 e’ve been assured by our friends in by surprise. That’s why a quiet resolution to the Secretary Madrid that the International Brigade crisis is expected. Let’s hope this is true; watch Jim Jump Wmemorial in the capital’s University City is this space. 6 Stonells Road, London SW11 6HQ not in danger. As reported in our last issue, the 020 7228 6504 memorial was deemed to be under threat follow - True patriots [email protected] ing a Madrid court ruling in favour of a writ brought Journalist Mark Seddon was spot-on when he by a lawyer with far-right connections complaining invoked the memory of International Brigader Lou President that the memorial had been unveiled in 2011 with - Kenton (1908-2012) in his blog on 3 October about Marlene Sidaway out proper planning permission and should there - the Daily Mail ’s attack on the patriotic credentials marlenesidaway @hotmail.com fore be dismantled. The Complutense University of Ralph Miliband. Chair authorities insist that they did in fact apply to the The father of Labour leader Ed Miliband was a Dolores Long city council for the permit and have indicated that man who “hated Britain”, said the newspaper, [email protected] they have no intention whatsoever of removing because of his disdain for the Royal Family and the memorial from their campus. other parts of the Establishment. Like Kenton, Treasurer Representatives of the AABI Spanish Interna - Miliband Snr, a refugee from European fascism, Charles Jepson tional Brigades friendship group say they expect fought fascism, in his case for three years during [email protected] the stand-off to de-escalate, and would not be the Second World War in the Royal Navy. Ireland Secretary surprised if a retrospective permit duly arrived Seddon wrote: “I didn’t know Ralph Miliband, Manus O’Riordan unannounced in the post. although I knew many who did. But I did know Lou manusoriordan @d ublin.ie All this, adds the AABI, is down to the world - Kenton, of the same generation, also a Jewish wide protests in which the IBMT and its support - Marxist, who distinguished himself as a volunteer Membership Secretary ers played a prominent part, along with an effec - ambulance driver with the International Brigades Mary Greening tive campaign in Spain itself. Protests to Spanish in Spain and doing successful battle with Oswald memsec@internationa l-brigades.or g.uk ambassadors, press reports about the threat to Mosley’s Blackshirts in Cable Street in London’s Education Officer the memorial, motions critical of the court’s deci - East End. This was at a time when Viscount Richard Thorpe sion in the House of Commons and Scottish Par - Rothermere’s Daily Mail enthusiastically bel - thorpe.ortiz@ btinternet.com Merchandise Officer Martin Green (right) GREETINGS: The death of Dolly West-Shaer in July (see obituary in our Chris Hall and Jim Jump. last issue) reminded many of us of those International Brigade family [email protected] members and friends who were active before the creation of the IBMT in 2001. They did much to lay the foundations of the IBMT today. Other Executive Committee members One of them is Martin Green. Along with Dolly he was a founder of the Mike Anderson, Mike Arnott, Richard Baxell, Friends of the International Brigades in the 1990s. FIB members later Pauline Fraser, Hilary Jones, Duncan merged with veterans in the International Brigade Association (IBA) to set Longstaff, Danny Payne, Mick Whelan . up the IBMT. Martin, aged 81, lives in a care home in Penzance, Cornwall, and I’m Founding Chair pleased to say that he was in good spirits and well when I visited him last Professor Paul Preston August to pass on the IBMT’s best wishes, which he of course reciprocated. Both Martin’s parents were in Spain. George Green, a cellist from Stock - Patrons port, was killed in the British Battalion’s last day of action in the Battle of Rodney Bickerstaffe, Professor Peter Crome, the Ebro. Nan Green, from Beeston, Nottinghamshire, who died in 1984, Hywel Francis MP, Professor Helen Graham, was an administrator with the British medical volunteers and for many Ken Livingstone, Len McCluskey, Christy years after the war was the Secretary of the IBA. Moore, Jack O’Connor, Maxine Peake, 10 Baroness Royall of Blaisdon International Brigade Memorial Trust ON THE BALL: Continuing this column’s sending in these pictures of Dulwich here scoring the winning goal against Republican colours. “International occasional items about International Hamlet FC playing at home in south Lon - local rivals Tooting & Mitcham on 29 Brigade and Cuba banners are on show at Brigade-themed displays at football don in the Ryman Isthmian Football October – the ball is on the top right of every home game,” is the heartening games, thanks go to Michael Walker for League. Dulwich Hamlet are pictured the international Brigade flag in Spanish news from Michael. lowed ‘Hurrah for the Blackshirts’, while promi - apartment block where they live. I asked him the nent members of the British Establishment, obvious question over a coffee in Edinburgh. How including from the Royal family, were busy did they find out they were both admirers of the appeasing the Nazis and hunting wild boar with International Brigades? Herman Goering in the forests of East Prussia.” To It was all down to the IBMT or, more specifically, read the whole piece go to: [http://labourlist.org/ an IBMT badge. One day in 2010 when they were ?p=48058]. both travelling in the lift, Hilde noticed Reinhardt’s IBMT badge and, to his surprise and delight, began Last men standing singing “Die Thälmann Kolonne”, the song of the h

c German volunteers in Spain. Until then they had

Stan Hilton, pictured a e

L maintained cordial neighbourly relations, but h ad in 2013, examines a d i

v no idea ab out e ach other ’s political sympathies.

map of Spain. a D It transpired that Hilde’s family had all been members of the KPD communist party. During the Second World War her father and uncle were both killed in Norway while serving in a penal battalion, having been arrested and assigned to it on account of their anti-Nazi activities. Hilde’s grandparents, Carl and Agnes Gierck, were also in the anti-Nazi resistance in Hamburg. Agnes was active in Rote Hilfe (Red Aid) and helped distribute an underground newspaper. British veteran Stan Hilton is one of the nine, pos - She was captured by the Gestapo and died in a sibly 10, International Brigaders still alive around prison hospital in 1944. the world, according to the latest information of In 1997, she was finally honoured by the Ham - the AABI (Spanish International Brigades friend - burg authorities, who re-named a street after her: ship group). They are. Agnes-Gierck-Weg. The street had previously Joseph Almudéver (France) been called Peter-Mühlens-Weg after a local doc - Delmer Berg (US) tor, but then it was discovered that Mühlens had FROM DENMARK: Thanks go to Oxford-based César Covo (France) carried out medical experiments on prisoners dur - IBMT member Colin Carritt, who sent in this photo of Karel Dufek (Czech Republic) ing the Nazi era. the International Brigade memorial in Copenhagen’s Stanley Hilton (Great Britain) Churchillparken (Churchill Park). The memorial is Gert Hoffman (Austria) “thankfully well tended and untouched by the local John Hovan (US) fascists”, he reports. Around the plinth of the three- Hans Landauer (Austria) sided obelisk are inscribed the names of key battles: Madrid, Jarama, Huesca, Teruel, Guardalajara, the Juan Miguel de Mora (Mexico) Ebro, Brunete, Quinto and Aragon. Luis Alberto Quesada (Argentina). Colin was on a short trip to Denmark and wanted This information was true as at December 2013, to visit the Frihedmuseet, the museum dedicated to though Karel Dufek’s status was unconfirmed. those who resisted the Nazi occupation. “I was hor - Originally from Newhaven, Sussex, Stan Hilton, rified to discover, on our arrival, that it had been who was due to turn 96 on 31 December as this burnt to the ground just a couple of months earlier. issue of the IBMT Newsletter went press, lives in Of course, I had no idea and was perplexed, thinking Yarrawonga, Australia. maybe the museum had moved. On talking to local people it seems that it was a deliberate arson attack, probably by elements of the extreme right You never know who lives next door wing in Denmark.” It was a pleasure to welcome Reinhardt Silber - So he was relieved to find the International mann and two of his colleagues from our German Brigade memorial in an adjacent park. sister organisation, the KFSR, at our Annual Gen - He concludes: “The moral of this short story is eral Meeting in Edinburgh in October. Good neighbours: that society must always be on its guard for the rise One of our guests was Hilde Gutzeit, a next- Hilde Gutzeit and of fascism and ready to counter its pernicious and door-neighbour of Reinhardt’s in the Hamburg Reinhardt Silbermann. poisonous ideologies. The struggle goes on.”

International Brigade Memorial Trust 11 FEATURES

ish and other British comrades. The latter were residents of the Madrid area who were very friendly and helpful, and also helped man the refreshment/water stop. Again for me it was one of the most enjoy - able and memorable events of my life: a walk that truly commemorated our brave Brigaders, with congenial comrades, a meal shared with everyone in Brunete, poetry, songs, speeches and the late great Brigader Bob Doyle as guest of honour. For various reasons I wasn’t able to go on another marcha until 2012. I wouldn’t have missed this one for the world as it was the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Brunete and the guide for this, the sixth marcha , was my friend Ernesto Viñas. It lived up to all my expecta - tions. An outstanding memory among many was the merienda (picnic) under the trees at the command post by the River Guadarrama Ernesto Viñas is one the guides on the annual walking tour of key sites of the July 1937 Battle of Brunete. where we relaxed but also reflected on the bravery of the Republicans together with the volunteers of the International Brigades in the face of the combined fascist forces of Franco, Walking the Brunete battlefield Mussolini and Hitler. For a full report on the 75th Anniversary March, see the account in By Brian Walsh These visits were wonderful, emotional and the Autumn/Winter 2012 edition of the IBMT unforgettable. I was astonished at Ernesto and Newsletter . hen I retired in 2004 I joined the IBMT. I Ángel’s great knowledge of the battle and every Last year Ernesto Viñas guided another suc - wanted to find out as much as I could inch of the site, together with their ability to cessful marcha , the 7th, but there was no Wabout my Uncle Eddy – Samuel Edward spot remnants of the battle and barely visible Walsh – who was fatally wounded at the Battle trench marks. Needless to say, we got on very of Brunete in July 1937. Since 2005 I have made well and since our first meeting have been “For me it was one of four visits to the battlefield, three of them good friends. accompanied by my wife and daughter. Then in July 2007 came the first organised the most enjoyable On two visits we had a tour of the area leading Battle of Brunete commemorative walk, or up to Mosquito Crest, following the footsteps of “marcha”. I think I can take a little pride in this, and mem orable events the British Battalion, and almost certainly the as I had written a letter to the IBMT to ask about place where Uncle Eddy received his fatal the possibility of a memorial in Brunete. How - of my life: a walk that wounds. Our tour guides were Ernesto Viñas ever, the decisions and practical organisation and Ángel Rodríguez. were due to the IBMT, Alan Warren and Severi - truly commemorated I found out about Ernesto and Ángel through ano Montero of the “Amigos” – the AABI Span - an article in the IBMT Newsletter , which ish International Brigades friendship group. our brave Brigaders .” described their great interest in the Brunete July 7 was a very hot day so we made an early battlefield, their plans to establish a museum start to our walk along the battle front. As well IBMT presence. I am aiming to be at the 8th on and their wish to show visitors the battle site. as a few IBMT members there were lots of Span - 28 June 2014 and would like to see as many IBMT members there as possible, especially Spanish Republican commande rValentín anyone with Brunete connections. I hope I’ve González, “El Campesino”, directing troops given a small taste of the marcha at Brunete, at Villanueva de la Cañada during the battle. but to get the full flavour you need to experi - ence it for yourself. Ernesto and his small but excellent research group do most of the organising, and his organisation, Brunete en la Memoria (www.bruneteenlamemoria.com) has several core aims, but the one that gives them the most satisfaction is helping relatives of Brigaders connected with Brunete. However, he would be glad to hear from anyone about the battle and battlefield and those who might want to read his latest blog.

Contact Ernesto Viñas on [[email protected]]. Brian Walsh is happy to give any information and advice about visiting Brunete: [[email protected]].

12 International Brigade Memorial Trust Brother and sister who went to war

GERALDINE PUXTY is the daughter of untie Kath was a teacher and a nurse. We told me that it shows a strike at Chelmsford bus May Hobbs, sister of Kathleen Hobbs, a understood she was an ambulance driver garage and Albert is in the picture somewhere. volunteer nurse in Spain, and of Albert Ain the Spanish war – so I guess she did her He left home for Paris on 20 March 1938 and bit. I expect she was unusual being a woman then travelled on to Spain to join the British Bat - Hobbs, who also joined the International driver, but that was typical of her. talion four days later. In May he transferred to Brigades. Both are pictured above. Thanks to the IBMT I now know that she arrived No.2 Company of the 45th Division’s Artillery Geraldine never met her uncle; he died in in Spain in the autumn of 1937 as a nurse with the Unit. No doubt his motor mechanic skills were the final action of the British Battalion at Spanish Medical Aid Committee. She appears to considered to be useful. the Battle of the Ebro on 23 September have spent most of her time stationed at the hos - Albert was wounded on 17 August 1938 in the 1938. Her Auntie Kath, however, was a big pital at Uclés, in the province of Cuenca, along Sierra Pandols, near Gandesa, during the Battle with the only other British nurse at the hospital, of the Ebro. He rejoined the British Battalion and personality in their extended family. Here Louise Jones. Most of the patients were Spanish. was killed a month later when the battalion came Geraldine pieces together what she knows When Kathleen came back from Spain in under fierce attack about two kilometres north- about the uncle and aunt who served in the March 1938, her brother Albert travelled south in east of the village of Corbera d’Ebre, in the Sierra Spanish Civil War. the opposite direction to join the International de Caballs. Brigades. It was very moving for me in September last She went on to marry Humphrey Ransome, a year to attend the unveiling of the new memorial motorbike racer, who later died from injuries sus - erected by the IBMT at Corbera d’Ebre, marking tained at the Isle of Man races. the last stand of the British Battalion. The They had a daughter, Clare, born, like me, in memorial overlooks the battlefield where Albert Danbury, Essex. Albert’s father (also Albert) was killed and says that 23 members of the bat - owned seven houses in Danbury, near Chelms - talion were killed in that final action. Albert was ford, which he rented out. He also owned a one of them. garage in the village and must have trained his son as a motor mechanic. When Albert went to n the 1960s Auntie Kath and daughter Clare, Spain he gave an address in Danbury. then aged 18, drove overland to Australia, via However, both Kath and Albert were born in Ieast Africa – where Kath worked in Uganda as Birmingham, and moved to Essex with the fam - a headmistress until Idi Amin came to power. By ily when they were aged 11 and seven respec - ship from Mombasa they arrived in New Guinea, tively. Incidentally, my mum, May, was in the where again she taught, then travelled on to middle, aged nine. Their parents were staunch Australia. They settled in Darwen, where Clare Labour people. still lives. I don ’t know much about Albert, only informa - lbert, born on 14 March 1917, was tion from the IBMT and my mum. I know she employed as a motor mechanic, and was a went to Victoria Station to meet a train from member of the AEU engineering workers’ Spain and he was not on it. That would have ABOVE: Geraldine Puxty at the new memorial A union and the Communist Party. been 7 December 1938 when the British Battal - overlooking the battlefield where the uncle she never knew, Albert Hobbs, was killed in September 1938. She Our family has a photo from the Essex Chronicle ion arrived home. Apart from that, he was my holds portraits of Albert and his sister, Kathleen Hobbs, in April 1937 showing a large group of men stand - father’s best friend and tried to persuade him to also a volunteer in Spain. ing about in bus company uniforms. My mother go to Spain.

International Brigade Memorial Trust 13 FEATURES ‘And when I get another sh

Ship for Spain The unsung story of the British ships Herbert L Peacock and seafarers who defied fascist ‘I had a ship,’ the captain said, ‘A ship that sailed for Spain, bombs and u-boats –along with And if I had that ship right now I’d sail there once again. British government indifference –

‘I’d take a story with me then to trade with Republican Spain And let the people know In Barcelona why their bread Is fathoms deep below. By Jim Jump xact figures are still hard to find, probably ‘With my own lips I’d to them say: because they would have embarrassed the The English people true EBritish government had they been compiled Want you to hold against a foe at the time. But two things are irrefutable: first, But it’s more than the Government do. British ships and seafarers trading with Republi - can Spain during the Spanish Civil War suffered ‘Any fool with eyes could see serious casualties; secondly, Prime Minister When the planes swept over low Neville Chamberlain – “Franco’s lackey” in Her - They didn’t give a damn for the Union Jack bert L Peacock’s poem (see panel on left) – did vir - Spread out across the bow. tually nothing about it. A report published by the Republic’s embassy in London in 1938 calculated that, between July ‘And why don’t they care for the English 1936 and June 1938, 13 British merchant ships flag were sunk by enemy action, 51 others were And the rules of the bloody game? bombed from the air, two were mined, five were Because they know that Chamberlain attacked by submarines and 23 seized or Has traded the English name. detained by Franco’s forces. Thirty-five British seamen had been killed in ‘Has traded the name to the Japanese, these attacks and nearly 50 badly injured. The Licked Mussolini’s boots, Royal Navy also lost eight killed when in May Let Hitler get hold of the Austrian lands 1937 the destroyer HMS Hunter struck a mine laid For you doesn’t care two hoots. by Franco’s navy south of Almería.

‘We sent a wire when we got to land, Victims of non-intervention And in Parliament next day, The attacks were being perpetrated by bombers, ships and submarines sent by Franco’s lackey got up and said Franco’s allies, Hitler and Mussolini. Underlining We just went there for our pay. the farcical nature of the notorious international non-intervention agreement instigated by TRIBUTE: Frank Casey’s proposed memorial carries ‘These are the taunts we have to bear Britain and France during the civil war, the Ital - the names of British ships lost as they ran the blockade From the traitors we’ve got at home. ian dictator was entrusted with policing the of Spanish Republican ports. From the traitors who sullied the English agreement along Spain’s Mediterranean coast – name while the Royal Navy patrolled the country’s And played second fiddle to Rome. Atlantic seaboard. In fact, the figures put out by the Spanish ‘I had a ship,’ the captain said, embassy at the time appear to have understated ‘A ship that sailed for Spain, the losses. According to a later study by historian And when I get another ship Rafael González Etchegaray, 29 British ships I’ll sail there once again.’ were wrecked or lost during the civil war. Wikipedia, meanwhile, lists 26 British-flag ships destroyed by enemy action; see [http://en.wiki Poem first published in Poetry and the pedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_ships_wrecked_ People , December 1938 or_lost_in_the_Spanish_Civil_War]. The total number of seafarers killed and injured

14 International Brigade Memorial Trust ip I’ll sail there once again’

BOMBED: Stills taken from the film “Prisoners Prove Intervention in Spain”, showing the wreck of the Stanwell and two of the injured crew members.

is not known, but casualties were likely to have Chamberlain “faced by the pseudo Christian the wreck of HMS Ark Royal , sunk by a German u- been substantial. Spanish gentleman Franco, the murderer of thou - boat off Gibraltar in 1941, had been made espe - So alarmed was the National Union of Seamen sands of defenceless women and children, was cially difficult by the many wrecks from the civil (NUS) that it commissioned, along with the Com - tragic in his futility. These things would be remem - war lying on the sea-bed in the search area. mittee of Shipowners Trading to Spain and the bered by seamen in the next general election,” he Frank has made a maquette of a memorial to Merchant Navy Officers’ Federation, a film about wrote in June 1938. the British crews who faced great danger while the attacks on British ships and their crews. Made The only time a credible threat to take retalia - sailing in and out of Spanish Republican ports. He in 1938 by the Progressive Film Institute and tory action was issued by the British government has received backing for the project from rail and directed by Ivor Montagu, “Britain Expects” was was in the summer of 1937 following a spate of maritime union RMT. But an appropriate site for intended to be shown to cinema audiences in attacks by Italian submarines – which immedi - the memorial, plus adequate funding, still have to order to tell them what was happening in and ately ceased as a result. Significantly, the British be found. around Spanish Republican ports. It also pointed response was led by Foreign Secretary Anthony His research efforts have been helped by read - the finger at Chamberlain for being the first British Eden, who resigned a few months later in protest ing Paul Heaton’s “Spanish Civil War Blockade Prime Minister to deny the merchant navy ade - at Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement. quate protection. But the 16-minute film was banned for public Lest we forget viewing by the British Board of Film Censors, high - This piece of British history connected to the lighting the extent to which the authorities were Spanish Civil War has long been largely over - prepared to go to suppress criticism of the gov - looked. But some people are determined that we ernment’s policy of appeasement towards the should not forget it. fascist powers. One of them is Geoff Cowling, the former IBMT Another film shot by Montagu in 1938, “Prison - Trustee, who was Britain’s Consul General in ers Prove Intervention in Spain”, showed footage Barcelona for many years. RESTORATION: of the bombed wreck of a British ship, the Stan - In 2008 he used his influence to see to it that the Repairing seafarers’ graves at the British Cemetery in Tarragona in 2008. well , in Tarragona harbour, in which two British graves of nine British merchant seamen were seamen were killed. Included is an interview with repaired in what had been the near-derelict Runners”, which tells the story of the ships trad - a captured German pilot of one of the planes British Cemetery in Tarragona. They included the ing out of Welsh ports, including the famous involved in the raid. two crewmen of the Stanwell . exploits of Captain David “Potato” Jones. Outraged at the British government’s failure to Coordinated by Cowling’s successor as Consul However, Frank, a Glaswegian now settled in St act, NUS General Secretary William Spence con - General, David Smith, the work was carried out by Albans, is quick to point out that it was not only sailors from HMS Bulwark , which was on a good - Welsh ships involved. The Glasgow-registered will visit to Barcelona at the time, and with the Oakgrove , for example, took badly needed provi - help of the Tarragona local council. sions to Republican Spain – and crew members Cowling is still concerned that other graves waived their salaries as a protest at the shameful might be in disrepair. “As far as I can tell, we still stance of the British government. don’t know how many British merchant seamen These are stories of heroism and sacrifice that were killed during the Spanish Civil War and the IBMT also hopes will be remembered in the whether they were properly buried.” form of a memorial to the seafarers involved. Another IBMT member who wants appropriate recognition for the seafarers is sculptor and artist For more information see: “La Marina Mercante y el Tráfico SUNK: HMS Hunter hit a mine laid by Franco’s navy. Frank Casey. Frank’s interest in the subject devel - Marítimo en la Guerra Civil” by Rafael González Etchegaray oped after he heard an interview with WH (Editorial San Martín, Madrid, 1977); “The Seamen: A History trasted the Royal Navy’s blockade of Piraeus in Roberts, captain of the Seven Seas Spray , about of the National Union of Seamen” by Arthur Marsh and Victo - 1850 in response to a mob attack on a single how he ran the gauntlet of Franco’s blockade to ria Ryan (Malthouse Press, Oxford, 1989); “Spanish Civil War British national in Athens. “Where was the strong bring food to the starving people of Bilbao. Blockade Runners” by Paul Heaton (PM Heaton Publishing, arm of England now?” asked Spence. Neville He was also startled to learn that the search for Abergavenny, 2006).

International Brigade Memorial Trust 15 FEATURES Remembering Margaret Powell

By Ruth Muller During the occasional lulls in the fighting the team helped village peo - ily Margaret Powell was born in ple in Aragon who had never in their March 1913, one of nine chil - lives seen a doctor, giving ante- and L dren, at Cwm Farm, Llangenny, post-natal care and minor surgeries where her father farmed a small where necessary. Welsh hill farm. She attended the vil - Later, transferred to Barcelona, she lage school, leaving home aged 16 to worked in several hospitals, even as train as a nurse, first in Essex, later in Franco’s forces closed in and bombs London at St Giles’, Camberwell, and fell. In February 1939 Margaret and St Olave’s, Rotherhithe – areas as part of the team retreated into France hard hit by the depression of the where she was promptly imprisoned 1930s as was South Wales. with other Spanish refugees in beach When Franco and his cohorts enclosures without any facilities. She rebelled against the elected Republi - was rescued after more than three can Spanish government in 1936 weeks by a team of Quakers who’d Margaret was advised to finish her been alerted to her plight. midwifery training before volunteer - Although she started work again in ing. She was accepted by the Span - England after a few months, it was ish Medical Aid Committee and left only in 1944 that she went abroad for Spain in mid-1937. again, this time to upper Egypt to care for Yugoslav partisans’ families Front-line in the UNRRA (United Nations Relief She was a front-line nurse in Aragon and Rehabilitation Administration) El during the bitter battles of the terrible Shatt desert camp. winter of 1937-38 when the wounded Once the families returned home in often froze to death before they could 1946, she transferred to the Ameri - receive medical attention. Life-saving can zone of Germany, working in the medication was in short supply and displaced persons camps of Amberg Margaret found herself, aged 25, hav - and Coburg. It was here that she ing to “triage” the wounded as they encountered Jewish teenagers – sur - arrived from the front – deciding who vivors of the concentration camps – a could be saved. Major surgery was number of whom committed suicide. carried out without anesthetics, the These memories, combined with her dark only redeemed by using cigarette experiences in Spain, were to haunt lighters. her for the rest of her life. Often the team of nurses, a Span - ish doctor and village girls rapidly Poorest areas trained as nurse-aides, had to move After 1948, she worked as a health NURSES: Above, back row, left to right: Margaret Powell, Susan Sutor, Anne Mur - at a moment’s notice, setting up visitor in some of the poorest areas of ray and Patience Darton; seated: Agnes Hodgson and Mary Slater, at Poleniño Hos - operating theatres in barns, stables, north London, married International pital, Aragon, in 1937. Below: Margaret Powell in Barcelona Hospital No.7 in 1938 with Dr Gonzalo Aguiló Mercader (left) and unidentified other person. a disused slaughter-house and once Brigader Sam Lesser, became a a ruined medieval castle in Montclar, mother, spent three years in the Catalonia. USSR and worked at the City of Lon - Margaret assisted in thousand of don Polytechnic. operations, often working 72 hours In 1976 Margaret was made a or more at a stretch as the wounded “Dame” of the Orden de la Lealtad a poured in from an offensive. She was la República Española by the Spanish proud that during this time the team government in exile. She died in didn’t lose a man to post-operative November 1990, aged 77. septicemia – or a single piece of the precious surgical equipment sent Ruth Muller is the daughter of Margaret from Britain. Powell and Sam Lesser. “Margaret found herself, aged 25, having to ‘triage ’the wounded as they arrived from the front – deciding who could be saved. Major surgery was carried out without anesthetics, the dark only redeemed by using cigarette lighters. ”

16 International Brigade Memorial Trust CAN YOU HELP?

Who’s pictured here before the Battle of the Ebro? iverpool-based IBMT Trustee dents. He is number 8 in the photo. photo archive in London (reference Number 9: Frank Deegan Danny Payne is trying to identify An error-laden accompanying cap - HU 34656). The caption contains sev - Number 11: Ces Bibby Lall the people in this well known tion said: “Mr Bean met a consider - eral obvious errors – and more Number 12: Bill Thompson (“I would photo of Merseyside volunteers able number of Liverpool, Birken - names than people. It also omits add a question mark to his name.”) taken before the Battle of the Ebro in head and Bootle members of the Jimmy Jump (number 14), who was Number 13: William Jones (“He was July 1938. It is thought to be the only International Brigades – Councillor born in the Wirral though living in identified by his two sons in Septem - photograph of future trade union James Larkin Jones, W Acton, WC Sussex when he went to Spain. ber 2012 and from his Second World leader Jack Jones during the Spanish Bibby, Frank Proctor, Frank Butl, Danny guesses that the man on the War merchant navy pass. However, Civil War. Thomas Carlisle, B Clarke, Vincent far left (with cap) is Paddy O’Dare. he looks the image of Bob Clarke The image has pride of place in a Crompton, Z Deegan (Bootle), R Mur - “But that’s pure speculation based from the photo in his book.”) permanent exhibition on the Inter - ray, Doherty, Peter Furlong, George on the officer’s hat he’s wearing,” he Number 14: Jimmy Jump national Brigades in Liverpool’s Green, Hodgson, W Jones, George writes. Otherwise, the only positive Number 15: Ernie Pilson (‘He was Casa Bar (29 Hope Street, L1 9BQ). McClure, G Mumford, Captain identifications are (with his com - identified in an email from his daugh - It first appeared in the Liverpool Patrick O’Dare, EE Pilson (Bootle), P ments): ter via the Merseyside International Echo of 21 July 1938 with a report of a Proctor and W Thompson.” Number 3: Jack Jones Brigade Network site.”) visit to the British Battalion by George The Liverpool Echo photo included Number 7: Frank Proctor (“A picture Bean, President of the Liverpool Guild three more people on the left of the in the Liverpool Echo of 8 September Anyone with more information or com - of Undergraduates and Vice Presi - picture. Danny says the longer photo matches the Ebro picture.”) ments should contact Danny Payne: dent of the National Union of Stu - is in the Imperial War Museum’s Number 8: George Bean [[email protected]].

Naming the locomotive Coast corridor until 2004, had previously been GPeter Harrison is looking for called “BBC North West”. The name change was information about his great uncle, Thanks go to Douglas Stuckey, of Wokingham, for made after Jack Jones wrote to Virgin boss Sir Arthur Llewellyn Bush (left), of sending in this photo of the naming of the Virgin Richard Branson – himself a distant cousin of Port Talbot, born in 1907. “My late Trains locomotive, “The International Brigades, Brigader Clive Branson – with the suggestion. father told me that Arthur left the Spain 1936-1939”, in Stoke-on-Trent on 9 Febru - According to Sarah Honeysett, a North Stafford - Glamorgan Police and one of the ary 1998. Taken by railway enthusiast Colin Mars - shire Labour Party activist, gardening blogger reasons was that he was told to den, the photo shows Brigaders Jack Jones (fore - (http://sarahhoneysettsgarden.blogspot.co.uk) arrest people for taking coal,” writes Barry-based ground, right) and Dave Goodman (foreground and railway enthusiast, “The International Peter. Arthur was a member of the Communist left). Also pictured is the Labour MP for Stoke on Brigades, Spain 1936-1939” hauled trains of air- Party and, according to the IBMT’s records, Trent North, Joan Walley (third from right). conditioned carriages, including restaurant/buf - arrived at the International Brigade base at Can anyone identify the other people in the fet cars, all in Virgin livery, on the regular Euston- Albacete on 21 December 1936. He was with the photo? Are there other Brigaders present? Manchester Piccadilly; Euston-Wolverhampton; British Battalion at Jarama in February 1937, serv - The Class 90 overhead-electric 25kv AC locomo - Euston-Liverpool Lime Street and Euston-Glas - ing as a runner and ammunition loader. Further tive (No. 90015), which operated on the West gow Central main lines in conjunction with a DVT details are confused and sketchy, but he is (driver vehicle trailer). reported to have arrived in Cardiff from Barcelona She adds: “These Class 90 locomotive on the Clintonia as a stowaway on 26 May 1938. operations were superceded by Class Anyone with more information should send it to 390 Pendolino 9-car multiple-unit trains the IBMT Secretary (secretary @international- from 2004 onwards, and No. 90015 was brigades.org.uk) and it will be forwarded to Peter. relocated to the Liverpool Street-Nor - wich main line in the (now) Greater GJim Neugass is looking for funding to make a Anglia livery. According to my informa - film about his father, US volunteer James Neu - tion, the nameplate has been replaced gass . It is to be based on “War is Beautiful”, an with a new one –‘Colchester Castle’.” unpublished manuscript of his father’s memoir, which was discovered in 2000 in a used book - Anyone with more information write to: shop in Vermont . For more information go to [[email protected]]. [www.warisbeautifuldocumentary.com].

International Brigade Memorial Trust 17 LETTERS Poet who stole Behaviour of the POUM funds for Spain bordered on treachery y father Ericsen Smith M(left) wrote this poem, im Jump’s report of the Len Crome Memorial The POUM’s strategy and actions were adven - “España”, at the time of the Lecture proceedings ( IBMT Newsletter turist and objectively counter-revolutionary – Spanish Civil War, when he J2-2013) is accurate and perceptive in identi - bordering on treachery. The POUM had to be was living in Newcastle. I fying the main points at issue when assessing defeated and its activists suppressed in order would be very proud if you George Orwell’s role and work. As Paul Preston that the Popular Front’s anti-Franco alliance might find space for it as an pointed out in his paper, Orwell’s analysis was could be cemented both politically and militarily. example of what people at partial in both senses of the word. It was also It was this imperative which was shared by all the time thought. It was riddled with inaccuracies as well as being heav - sections of the Popular Front at national level. published, under his pen- ily tainted by political prejudices. Tom Sibley name of James Ericsen, in Contrary to Orwell, many objective and pro - By email the Daily Worker , but I don’t have the date. gressive historians have concluded that the He was a shipping clerk, self-educated communist movement, both within Spain and I never knew I’d gain so much and very interested in “alternative” poli - internationally, was the mainstay in building a tics. He loved literature and wrote poetry in united movement against fascism (see Helen n the latest issue of the magazine (2-2013), his twenties: he was proud to have been Graham’s work). The communists, along with IMarlene Sidaway asks members to top up published alongside Dylan Thomas! other sections of the broad labour movement, IBMT funds where possible. As a relatively new He was a “card-carrying” communist saw the need to develop an alliance of class and member I hadn’t appreciated just how much right up to his sixties, when, sadly, he social forces capable of defeating Franco both you gain from the simple membership fee. developed vascular dementia. It was in this militarily and politically. Although with a long-time interest in the period that I took him to see his birthplace But there remain differences of interpretation, Spanish Civil War, I only came into touch with in Forest Hall. I believe his parents had particularly around the ultra-left’s anti-Republi - the IBMT last year. I had no idea how many moved there to be near the Clousden Hill can government uprising in May 1937 and the events it would be possible to attend and be Free Communist and Cooperative Colony. nature and role of the Soviet Union. involved with, although I haven’t managed to He confided in me that he had “appropri - On the Barcelona 1937 events, the recent yet, but will in the future. ated” some of his firm’s funds in 1938 to work of leading Spanish historians (for example The IBMT Newsletter is a fund of useful send to Spain. My mother used to say that Professor Ángel Viñas) strongly suggests that information and opportunities to widen my when she was carrying her first child this was a planned uprising against the Popular library with the excellent reviews not available (between 1937 and 1938) he had sent their Front government, designed to thwart neces - elsewhere. savings to Spain – so, in a huff, she went sary efforts to build a centralised and effective I enclose a cheque for £25 as my donation to home to mother for a while. national army and to reorganise industry and this good cause. I remember him as a gentle idealist who agriculture to better support the war effort. The Mike Cooper encouraged me to join the Young Social - dissident anarchists and supporters of the Milton Keynes ists, which met in Summerhill Square in POUM (Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista) the 1960s, with Jeremy Beecham as one of in Barcelona put the need to protect their own the teenage leaders. power bases in the local militias and collec - Thanks from visitors from US Susan Hedworth tivised enterprises above the urgent require - n behalf of our small group from the US, I By email ments of the national struggle to defeat Franco Owant to thank the IBMT for inviting us to join and his German and Italian fascist allies. the Ebro tour (see group photo on page 4). After Then stir your blood with brotherhood – España! The uprising received little or no support out - following your activities in the IBMT Newsletter Downdriven by the winds of wealth, their leaves side of Barcelona and was quickly put down by and Facebook pages for so long, it was a pleas - Of red do not in conscience lie to rot, Bewildered, then done away with. They are forces loyal to the Republican government. ure to meet some of you in person. That trinity – Bread, Peace and Liberty. The Soviet Union’s role is more heavily cen - It was an inspiration to learn of the efforts of They organize an acid force – they burn through tred. The Soviets provided Republican Spain the friends and families of the volunteers from greed. with massive humanitarian, military, technical another country to preserve and perpetuate the and diplomatic aid. It saw that standing up to legacy of the International Brigades and all they Our land that bore, and saw a Chartist hang, Hears the dole-queue groan, the shriek of empire’s Hitler and Mussolini and defeating fascism in stood for. We learned from you and about you, rust, Spain was the best way to persuade France and as we became acquainted with the heroism and Must somewhere have the ore that forges steel, Britain to drop appeasement and confront the sacrifices of the British Battalion and the Con - Soviet-bright, worker-keen. Then grasp, you hands, fascist threat. nolly Column. In multiplying bands, the sickle curve, How to develop the Popular Front in Spain As a result, we’ve all returned home ener - The hammer straight, whose symbol is your strength. was the task of the Spanish working class and gised to rededicate our efforts in ALBA/FFALB You want to live beyond this closéd door, its allies. At all times Stalin stressed the impor - on behalf of our unsung heroes and their You want to hear the crow in homeward caw; tance of bringing the anarchists into the Popular unprecedented act of internationalism in the Perhaps a lark, a finch. You never heard, Front government. The actions, often brutal, antifascist war in Spain. Nor yet had time to learn, why rain occurred; taken against the Trotskyist-influenced POUM, Salud y victoria, These things you never see were encouraged by the Soviets, but they were Nancy Wallach In the half-light of this slavery. O workers of the world, they are your right, initiated and strongly supported by all the Plus Alan Entin, John Kalin, Bobbie Rabinowitz I warn you, I charge you. I say – UNITE! organisations making up the Popular Front gov - and Henry and Josephine Yurek ernment under Juan Negrín’s leadership. New York City (by email)

18 International Brigade Memorial Trust OBITUARIES

Erik Ellmann Estonian Interna - Now I know more about my father tional Brigader Erik Ellmann (left) died that time I tried to extract infor - pleasant meal we moved to a on 30 March 2013. mation from my father about busy bar for some additional He was 94. Erik his time in Spain. He made refreshments. At some point arrived in Spain aged light of his reasons for joining during this evening I hap - 19 and took part in the International Brigades, pened to mention that my the Battle of the Ebro claiming he did it following a father had fought in Spain dur - in the Mickiewicz night out beer drinking. ing the civil war. There was a Battalion. After the This disappointed me as I deathly hush in the bar as the war he spent four had hoped he had some seri - agent asked the very pointed months in refugee camps in France before ous political/moral reasons question: “What side did he making his way to the Soviet Union, where he for risking his life in that dress fight on?” On giving the cor - was to resume the fight against fascism. His rehearsal for the Second rect answer there were cheers final trip to Spain came in October 2011 when, hanks to information sup - World War. all round and (unfortunately) with other Brigade veterans, he inaugurated Tplied by the IBMT I now I do remember him telling lots more drinks supplied. the memorial to the International Brigades in know more about my father, me he had been wounded. I Ian Hollywood Madrid’s University City. John Nellis Hollywood (pic - guess he was relatively Melbourne (by email) tured above), and his time with “lucky” for having being Elaine Morgan the International Brigades in wounded early in that war and John Hollywood, from Bonhill, The TV playwright, the Spanish Civil War. Certainly being able to escape the hor - Dumbartonshire, a labourer and evolutionary anthro - this is something my son and rors that followed. Communist Party member, was 23 pologist and social - daughter will be interested to He had a terribly hard life when he went to Spain. He arrived ist feminist Elaine learn about. however, managing to keep in Albacete, the base of the Inter - Morgan (pictured in I’m the eldest of three sons. I himself employed in labouring national Brigades, on 7 Januray 2012), who died on was named John after dad, but jobs until he was almost 65. 1937 and joined the British Battal - 12 July 2013 at the was always called Ian. I left He suffered from Parkinsons ion. He was wounded on 15 Febru - age of 92, was the Clydebank in 1967 to com - and died in 1990, aged 77. ary during the Battle of Jarama, widow of Morien Morgan (1916-1997), Inter - mence a career at sea and One story might amuse your after which he was classified as national Brigader and French teacher at Pon - spent the next 28 years in that readers. In the 1980s I was unfit for further service. typridd Boy’s Grammar School. Born Elaine industry, sailing under the chief engineer on a very large Floyd in Pontypridd, she studied English at Australian flag from 1973. tanker. We arrived in Bilbao to Ian would like to hear from anyone Oxford, where she was the chair of the Demo - My parents came out to Mel - discharge crude oil. The agent with more information about his cratic Socialist Club, and later wrote scripts bourne about 30 years ago to invited the captain and myself father’s service in Spain. Contact: for TV dramas such as Dr Finlay’s Casebook see their first grandchild. At out for dinner. Following a very [[email protected]]. and Maigret. Among her many books on evo - lutionary theory were “The Aquatic Ape” (1982), “The Descent of the Child” (1995) and “Pinker’s List” (2005), an attack on what she Camp in France is worth a visit Safe keeping for signed book saw as the hijacking of Darwinism for the was recently in Letter received by the right by writers such as Steven Pinker. Ithe Basque IBMT enclosing a copy of Country for the William Rust’s “Britons Jules Paivio wedding of one in Spain” (Lawrence & Jules Paivio, who of my great Wishart, London, 1939), died on 4 Septem - nephews and vis - signed by 11 Interna - ber 2013 at the age ited Camp Gurs in tional Brigade volun - 97, was the last of south-west teers (left)… the 1,400 Canadian France. My wife’s volunteers in the father, Janos Gezar Posner, a Czech Brigader, erewith a book I Mackenzie-Pap - was interned with many International Brigaders Hbought at a left-wing ineau Battalion of and Spanish people in the camp about 10 miles bookstall in Leicester the International west of Pau. market circa 1947-49. Brigades. He was If any of your members have not been, it is The bookstall has long since gone. born near Port well worth a visit. The camp was ignored for I was working in engineering since being Arthur, Ontario, many years and had a wood planted over it. invalided from the army, in which I served in the and raised in Then in 2005 the local mayor set about creating Middle East, eventually taking part in the land - nearby Thunder an appropriate memorial for the Brigaders and ings in Sicily in 1943, where I was wounded. Bay by his Finnish parents. He was captured their Spanish colleagues and for the Jews who I spent my working life as an active trade union - during the war in Spain, saved from execution were sent from there to Auschwitz. ist in the AEU, serving as branch secretary, dele - by an Italian officer and placed in a prisoner- The cemetery is well looked after and the site gate to the district committee and trades council of-war camp. During the Second World War has excellent explanations (sadly only in and shop steward. Paivio trained soldiers in map-reading and French) of all the events and the chronology and Now 92 years old, I want my book to have a surveying. He was a qualified architect and layout of this huge site. good home. I’m sure it will now. taught at Ryerson University. “To My Son In Quentin Kopp Timothy K West Spain”, 42-minute documentary by Saku By email Leicester Continued overleaf

International Brigade Memorial Trust 19 Not an IBMT member? OBITUARIES Join now and help keep From previous page Pinta that tells the story of Jules Paivio, can be alive the memory and viewed here: [http://vimeo.com/74249603].

spirit of the volunteers Gervasio Puerta Gervasio Puerta García, one of the founder mem - bers of Spain’s International Brigades friendship Complete the form below and send subscriptions and any donations to : group, the AABI, died in Madrid on 15 August IBMT Membership Secretary, 2 Woodford Close, Radyr Way, Cardiff CF5 2PH 2013 at the age of 92. The AABI was set up in 1995 and Gervasio became its vice-president. For 20 For a Direct Debit form or for any other membership or subscription queries years until his death he was also the president of tel: 029 2019 5412; email: [email protected] the APRPA association of anti-Francoist ex-pris - oners. After serving in the Republican army dur - ing the Spanish Civil War, he returned clandes - Membership application form tinely to Spain in 1943, but was arrested and twice imprisoned for his political views and activi - Full name ties: from 1946-50 and from 1961-65. Up to three additional names (for family membership)* George Sossenko Russian-born George Sossenko, Address who died on 14 March 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia, Postcode aged 94, was living in Paris when the Email** Telephone* Spanish Civil War broke out. The 17- Membership category and annual subscription rate (please tick as appropriate): year-old was turned K Free – International Brigade veterans and partners and widow/ers down by the Interna - K £25 – Family (single household) tional Brigades for K £20 – Individual being under-age. So he travelled to Barcelona K £12.50 – Unwaged with a group of anarchists and joined the anar - K Institutions – contact Membership Secretary (see above) for rates chist militia. In Spain he was known as Georges Jorat. He was posted to the Aragon front and Donation of £______enclosed* returned to France in the summer of 1937 after his Signature Date parents had tracked him down. During the Sec - * Optional / If applicable ond World War he fought with the Free French. After the war he lived for a while in Argentina and ** Members who provide an email address will receive our news service emails. Brazil before settling in the US, where he worked Make cheques payable to International Brigade Memorial Trust. as an engineer for tyre-manufacturer Michelin.

NB: Please note that different annual subscription rates apply to overseas (non-UK) Also remembered… members. These reflect the higher postage costs of mailing the IBMT Newsletter . They are: The IBMT was saddened to learn of the deaths of GFamily (single household): £30 / $48 / €37 two loyal members. John Fletcher , of Exmouth, GIndividual: £25 / $40 / €30 who died on 19 October 2013, aged 65, was the GUnwaged: £17 / $27 / €22 son of Manchester volunteer George Fletcher and, through the IBMT, was reunited with half- sister Helen Cadman after 50 years (see IBMT Newsletter 3-2009). Mary Park , aged 83, of East Gift Aid declaration Kilbride, died on 8 December 2013. She was the widow of Eric Park, nephew of Alexander Park, Please complete if you are a UK taxpayer: from Glasgow, killed in Aragon in March 1938, I wish this and all subsequent payments to the International Brigade Memorial Trust to and, like the rest of the Park family, immensely be treated as Gift Aid donations. proud of Alexander’s service in Spain. Name …and thanked Signature Date Posthumous thanks must go to Jim Mortimer , former General Secretary of the Labour Party, who left £250 to the IBMT in his will. Mortimer, who died on 23 April 2013, aged 92, was a lifelong Keeping alive the memory and spirit of the men and women admirer of the International Brigades. He was who volunteered to defend democracy and fight fascism in Labour’s senior official from 1982 and 1985, hav - Spain from 1936 to 1939 ing previously worked for the TUC and as a national officer of the draughtsmen’s union and was chair of the conciliation service Acas from International Brigade Memorial Trust 1974 until 1981. www.international-brigades.org.uk Charity no: 1094928 BOOKS n

i COVER PHOTO: e t S Gerda Taro and d

Ambulances e r Robert Capa in F

f o Paris in 1935. Fred e t a

t Stein’s photo of s E the two young

to the rescue © photographers who would soon “Aristocrats, Adventurers and Ambulances: The go to Spain is British Ambulance Units in the Spanish Civil War” on the cover of by Linda Palfreeman (Sussex Academic Press, Jane Rogoyska’s Brighton, 2013) £55 (hardback)* illustrated biography of Taro. Reviewed by Tom Sibley

eaders of the IBMT Newsletter will be Raware of Linda Pal - freeman’s “Salud! British Volunteers in the Republi - er reputation as a can Medical Service during ground-breaking war the Spanish Civil War”. That Hphotographer long over - splendid work has now shadowed by that of Robert Visualising the been followed up by this highly recommended Capa, Gerda Taro is the focus of study of two separate initiatives – that of the a new book* that powerfully Scottish Ambulance Unit (SAU) and the University asserts the importance of her war in Spain Ambulance Unit (UAU). The former operated in work in the Spanish Civil War, Madrid; the latter set out for Málaga but, after writes Jim Jump . were soon forgotten. Capa, how - photos from Spain, including the Francoists took the city, was active in Almería Author Jane Rogoyska ever, became a legend for his many rare ones, Rogoyska’s and Murcia. describes how Gerda Poho - work in Spain –and also in China book tells the story of Taro’s The units were created by two remarkable men, rylles, a young Jewish émigrée and the Second World War. short life and demonstrates her Sir Daniel Macauley Stevenson (SAU) and Sir from Germany, met and fell in Then, 70 years later, came the influence in shaping not just the George Young (UAU). Both were wealthy philan - love with the Hungarian André discovery in Mexico City of the way we visualise the war in thropists convinced that Spain’s need was des - Friedmann, another Jewish exile “Mexican Suitcase”. It con - Spain but the nature of war pho - perate and required crucial assistance, irrespec - from fascism in Paris. They rein - tained thousands of negatives tography itself. tive of race, religion or politics. Both units were vented themselves as Gerda of photos taken in Spain by separate from the Spanish Medical Aid Commit - Taro and Robert Capa, penniless Taro, Capa and colleague David *“Gerda Taro: Inventing Robert tee (SMAC) based in London, which mobilised but politically committed pho - Seymour (“Chim”). Among Capa” by Jane Rogoyska medical volunteers to assist the Republican side. tographers. them was a cache of previously (Jonathan Cape, London, 2013) The SAU sent its first team to Spain in Septem - Taro was just 26 when she was unseen pictures taken by Taro at £35 (hardback). ber 1936. Its work was greatly appreciated by the killed on 25 July 1937 during the Brunete. But, most astonish - Republican government and the Popular Army. Battle of Brunete. Capa was ingly of all, the newly discov - Jane Rogoyska is one of the On the occasion of Stevenson’s 87th birthday (13 heartbroken. Though her funeral ered archive showed that many speakers at the 2014 IBMT Len August 1938), Cipriano Mera and Feliciano Ben - in Paris saw thousands of photographs that had been Crome Memorial Lecture in Man - ito, Chief and Commissar respectively of the 4th mourners throng the streets and attributed to Capa were, in fact, chester on 1 March. See advert Army Corps, sent a joint telegraph saying, “…we she became an instant hero of the work of Taro. on the inside front cover and will never forget those days of February 1937 the left, her memory and legacy Richly illustrated with Taro’s page 26 for booking details. when the Scottish Ambulance Unit, led by the s o

spirited Fernanda Jacobson, rescued from the t o h

clutches of death the Spanish soldiers wounded P

m

on the banks of the Jarama”. u n g

Not that the unit’s history was one of unblem - a M ished service. In the first months of its involve - / P C ment in Spain, five members were disciplined and I ©

o sent home for looting activities. And at the end of r a T

March 1937 three members resigned, Len Crome, a d r e

Roderick MacFarquhar and Morris Linden, citing G various unchecked misdemeanours by member of the unit, including spreading anti-government propaganda. Here the author presents evidence from both sides and concludes that the basic clash was between the desire of the resigners to give full support to the Republican side, while Jacobson ILLUSTRATED: Among the many photos taken by GerdaTaro that are featured in Jane Rogoyska’s new book is was determined to maintain a position of even- (on right) one of Fred Copeman (right), commander of the British Battalion, and Claud Cockburn, Daily Worker handed neutrality, arguing that “there have been correspondent. It was taken shortly before the photographer’s death in July 1937. Continued overleaf

International Brigade Memorial Trust 21 BOOKS

bution to his fall from office in 1937 is one good Ambulances to the rescue The inside story example, as is Buckley’s sorrowful analysis of From previous page the doomed attempts by the Western democra - atrocities committed by both sides, and in any “The Life and Death of the Spanish Republic: A cies to restrict the war to Spain’s borders. Buck - case, one Spaniard is as good as another”. The Witness to the Spanish Civil War” by Henry ley fully understands the inevitable conse - author’s scrupulous enumeration of the factors Buckley (IB Tauris, London, originally published quence of the French and British governments’ involved gives readers the basis for making their 1940, new edition 2013) £20 (a £12.99 paperback determination not to come to the Republic’s aid. own judgements. Crome and MacFarquhar went version is planned) His eloquent account of the final dark days of on to play outstanding roles in the SMAC unit the Spanish Republic and the dashing of the with the International Brigades. Reviewed by Richard Baxell hopes of those fighting in support of the The University Ambulance Unit left for Spain in Republic are heart-rending. Yet, despite all, February 1937. Arguing that the strategic centre he reissue of Henry Buckley’s conclusion is as clear as it is uplift - of the war was moving south and that the TBuckley’s long-lost ing: “Their courage and efforts were not in wounded were “often being abandoned to die of memoir, “The Life and vain. No sacrifice like that ever is” – a senti - exposure, gangrene or the more merciful bayo - Death of the Spanish ment that, I suspect, many will feel is as true net”, Sir George Young announced that he was Republic”, is an event now as it was 75 years ago. establishing a unit with field ambulances, nurses which anyone interested and doctors based in Málaga to serve “both in the Spanish Civil War The paperback version of Richard Baxell’s “Unlikely War - sides”. The unit arrived as tens of thousands of should celebrate. Buck - riors: The British in the Spanish Civil War” is published on refugees were fleeing Málaga and surrounding ley’s classic eye-witness 1 April by Aurum Press for £12.99. villages, as Franco’s army advanced from the account of the eight years of the second Spanish south. With the help of German battleships, the Republic from 14 April 1931 to 31 March 1939 is, I fascists bombed and shelled the coastal towns think, one of the best accounts of the period and roads as the refugees streamed north to penned by a Briton. Complex Kopp Almería, where the unit established a children’s Knowledgeable, insightful and beautifully hospital, and then on to Murcia. written, Buckley’s memoir possesses a rare “George Orwell’s Commander in Spain: The By October 1937, Sir George had run out of sense of immediacy that immerses the reader Enigma of Georges Kopp” by Marc Wildemeersch funds and handed over the running and services deep within Spain’s turbulent 1930s. Spain is “a (Thames River Press, London, 2013) £8.99 of his hospital to the American Friends Service poor country with many rich people”, struggling Council (US Quakers). On returning to Britain, he to cope with a difficult transition, where “new Reviewed by Christopher Hall continued his work for Spain, speaking out ideas, as well as motor-cars, raced along these against the British government’s support for the fine broad roads which now intersected Spain”. nyone who has read non-intervention agreement. But there was one A devout Catholic, Buckley was nevertheless AGeorge Orwell’s final contribution. As Palfreeman explains, this objective enough to recognise the Church’s fail - “Homage to Catalonia” or was his involvement in the desperate attempts ings and its complicity in creating and support - any major biography of to evacuate Spanish refugees during the final ing a deeply unequal society. In fact the text is Orwell will have come days of March 1939 in the terrible wake of astonishingly fair-minded and objective: while across several mentions of Colonel Casado’s failed plan for a negotiated he became deeply sympathetic to the Republi - Georges Kopp. Unpicking peace settlement – which provoked a civil war can cause (even toying with the idea of joining the many facets of this within the civil war, as the anarchists continued, the International Brigades), he was not blind to intriguing man has involved author Marc Wilde - with renegade elements of the Republican army, its failings, arguing that the Republic needed meersch in several years of investigation, includ - to attack army loyalists supporting the Negrín not just to aspire to be good, but to actually raise ing research both in British and European government, thus effectively handing Madrid the pitiful living standards of the poverty- archives and interviews with members of the over to Franco. stricken peasants “[who] still form[ed] the Kopp family. Young was a member of an international dele - majority of the nation’s population”. Portrayed in this book we have an individual gation to Spain, hoping to secure the safe evac - Unlike foreign correspondents who arrived at who served in the Spanish Civil War in the POUM uation of thousands of Republicans facing the outbreak of the civil war, Henry Buckley had militia, was imprisoned in Spain, served in the death or incarceration after Franco’s victory. He been in Spain since 1929. He spoke the lan - Second World War both in the regular French was able to negotiate the evacuation of some guage fluently and knew the country well. He army, during which time he was wounded four 650 on a British cruiser. But due to the duplicity was acquainted with many of the key figures in times, and in the Resistance before finally mov - of Casado and the unwillingness of the British the Republic, including La Pasionaria, Francisco ing to Britain, where he married into Orwell’s and French consulates to upset Franco, thou - Largo Caballero, Manuel Azaña and Juan Negrín. wider family. If this was not enough we have a sands were left unprotected to face Franco’s And his observations of many key figures are man who was a womaniser, spy, fraud, regularly barbarism. Sir George later became a member not written in the polite banalities of politicians in financial trouble, an inventor and possibly of the International Brigade Association, a fore - and diplomats. For example, while Buckley has also the inspiration for a major character in runner of the IBMT. good things to say about many of the Republic’s Orwell’s most famous book, “1984”. political and military leaders, especially Negrín Georges Kopp is a complex figure and often * The IBMT has a small number of copies of this book for sale and La Pasionaria, he is not always as enthusi - lied and exaggerated about his life and career. at the substantially reduced price of £27.50, including p&p, astic about the socialist leaders Largo Caballero For example, in Spain he claimed he had previ - available on a first-come first-served basis. Only UK orders and Julián Besteiro. ous military experience and even Orwell for single copies can be accepted. Send your name and There are occasional factual errors in Buck - believed this to be the case because of his bear - address plus a cheque made out to the IBMT to: IBMT, 6 ley’s account, though surprisingly few when one ing and natural authority. But Wildemeersch Stonells Road, London SW11 6HQ. remembers how deeply immersed in the situa - proves that in fact he had no previous military tion the author must have been. And any errors experience and this was never discovered. Tom Sibley is the author, with Roger Seifert, of “Revolution - are more than compensated for by the astute Maybe because of the inactivity on the Aragon ary Communist at Work: A Political Biography of Bert Ramel - observations and intelligent, grounded analy - front this was never seriously put to the test! The son” (Lawrence & Wishart, London, 2012). sis. The account of Largo Caballero’s own contri - Continued on page 24

22 International Brigade Memorial Trust By James Watson blitzkrieg in history. I would like to think that some time, somewhere, in a classroom in Britain or wo comments in the IBMT Newsletter (issue Memorials are beyond, children’s attention is not only drawn to 1-2013) prompted me to write this article. Picasso’s magnificent tribute to Guernica but to TThe first was an expression of concern about an equally passionate account of the atrocity in a International Brigade memorials in the UK – their not only made little dog-eared paperback. state of preservation and vulnerability to vandals. The freedom tree of the title is, of course, the The second was the reference in Jim Jump’s col - freedom tree of the Basque people; a sacred oak umn to the late Jack Edwards’s view that “the out of bronze that survived, along with all it stood for, every - Spanish Civil War is so seldom taught in schools”. thing the German Heinkels and Junkers could With regard to the first comment, as the author throw at it. of “The Freedom Tree”, a story for teenage read - and stone Amid the conflagration a helpless population ers, I would argue that while memorials are vital, had nothing to fight with but words; yet they were so too is the printed word as a means of keeping paperback copy of the book. He remembered words of defiance that have resonated down the vital history alive. There is a parallel: without due enough about it to point out that the cover of his years: “Gora Euskadi Askatuta!” (Long live free a care and attention a book can suffer from over - edition differed from that on my leaflet advertis - Basque Country) and “¡No Pasarán!” (They shall sight and neglect as much as a memorial in ing the book. not pass). It was my hope in writing “The Freedom bronze or stone. As a teacher for most of my working life I had Tree” that the name Guernica, and La Pasionaria’s The link to education is easily made. “The Free - felt the neglect suffered by those who volun - inspiring call to arms, would be recognised by dom Tree” has a long history, being first published teered so valiantly to fight in Spain on behalf of future generations of young people. by Victor Gollancz – a great friend of the left – as the struggling Republic. I was passionate to pro - early as 1976. It later appeared in Fontana and vide, in a dramatic and hard-hitting story, a picture f course while books are not exposed as Puffin paperback editions. Soon afterwards it was of the experience of volunteers in the context of a memorials are to wind and weather, they issued in Hungary, Denmark, Japan, Germany and Britain and France determinedly indifferent to the Otoo suffer, chiefly by being out of print. eventually in Spanish. The Birmingham Post threat to democracy in Spain from the advance of “The Freedom Tree” is long gone from the backlog kindly called it a “superb book…alternately stark fascism. of Collins and Penguin, but the good news is that and lyrical”. digital publishing has offered fresh life and possi - When I oung Will Viljoen leaves a recession-hit bilities to old tales. attended the Britain with a group of volunteers, most of The novel is now available on Amazon Kindle. IBMT gathering Ywhom will never see British shores again. Considering that young people seem to prefer in Jubilee Gar - Combat in the winter trenches is followed by Will electronic devices to books, my account of a dens in July 2013 and his comrades entering the eye of the storm young man’s experience as a British volunteer, I found that the during the Battle of Jarama. There is not only Will may have a future. novel was but Molly, a nursing volunteer. They are captured. not entirely They escape, but it is a case of out of the fat and James Watson is an author of novels for young adults and has unknown or neg - into the fire. written several novels with human rights themes, including lected. One The climax of the novel is the bombing of Guer - “Talking in Whispers”, set in Chile at the time of the overthrow man, I guessed nica. More than anything else, I wanted young of democracy by the military, along with “Ticket to Prague”, in his thirties, readers to learn about, better still capture a “Justice of the Dagger”, “Fair Game: The Steps of Odessa” and had possessed a glimpse of the experience itself, of the first his latest novel, “Pigs Might Fly”.

Relief efforts on opposing sides GUIDE: The pocket guide to sites in Madrid “Humanitarian Relief in the the UK International Commission associated with the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) ” by for the Assistance of Child International Brigades Gabriel Pretus (Edwin Mellen Refugees in Spain. It is a thorough has now been pub - Press, Lampeter, 2013) £104.95 piece of descriptive work but often lished in English. lacks both analytical and political Produced by the AABI his tome of insight. Spanish International Ta book tells In a generally supportive fore - Brigades friendship the story of word, the distinguished historian group, the guide can be what author Helen Graham concludes that this purchased for €5 plus Gabriel Pretus book “makes a pioneering contri - p&p from the AABI’s describes as bution to an important but over - website (see below). First published in “non-partisan looked area of civil war studies, and Spanish in November humanitarian” is much to be welcomed”. 2012, the 80-page relief, by inter - This is a generous assessment of booklet comes with an national agencies during the Span - a work which will make an excellent A3 map of Madrid, with ish Civil War, writes Tom Sibley . reference source. three walking and Written from a Quaker perspec - But, too often, in an attempt to be Metro routes around tive, it deals with the invaluable even-handed, the author bends some 30 sites of work of British and American Quak - over backwards to, in Graham’s historical interest in ers, the International Committee of words, “present a favourable pic - the centre of the city. the Red Cross, the Save the Chil - ture of the approach of the military Go to [www.brigadas internacionales.org] dren Fund (Britain) and the Save rebels” in the management of and click on “Shop”. the Children International, twin to humanitarian issues.

International Brigade Memorial Trust 23 BOOKS

From page 22 PORTRAITS: Relatives of author also looks at other questions, such as Franco-era victims whether he was a communist spy, his links with demanded justice outside MI5 and whether he had an affair with Orwell’s the Spanish parliament in wife Eileen Blair. What we do know is that Kopp’s Madrid last September. Their call for a Truth experiences in jail in Spain and his wounds in the Commission came as the Second World War cut short his life and he died United Nations Working from a blood clot at the age of 50. Group on Enforced or Invol - This is a fascinating and well researched book untary Disappearances and, as the author admits, could well have made a urged Spain to investigate good novel. Wildemeersch, although sympa - what happened to thou - thetic to the subject matter, gives a warts-and-all sands of people who went coverage of Kopp’s life and includes the more missing during the civil war unsavoury aspects of his personality as well as and Franco dictatorship. his undoubted bravery and anti-fascism. Kopp is one of the most mysterious figures in the Spanish actual terms of la transición agreed between the books about the Francoist repression in the south Civil War. I strongly recommend this book, which Francoist establishment and the opposition. of Spain. He was also an adviser to Judge Baltasar is the first proper in-depth biography of Orwell’s Chief among these is the 1977 amnesty law that Garzón – famous in Britain for ordering the arrest comrade in arms. exculpated political crimes during the Franco era of General Pinochet in London in 1998 – who, as a and which underpinned the unofficial pacto de result of what Espinosa-Maestre calls in “Shoot Christopher Hall is an IBMT Trustee and the author of “In silencio . The result has been that the murders of the Messenger?” the “fiasco” of the 2007 law – Spain with Orwell: George Orwell and the Independent tens of thousands of Republican supporters fol - announced in 2008 the opening of an investiga - Labour Party Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939” lowing the July 1936 military uprising, the violence tion into the crimes of Francoism. Garzón argued (Tippermuir Books, Perth, 2013). and depredations inflicted on countless more and that “crimes against humanity” could not be the ongoing torture and executions during 40 absolved by national laws. Indeed the United years of dictatorship have not been officially Nations Human Rights Committee has urged investigated, let alone properly recorded. Spain to repeal the 1977 amnesty law on these On e-sided justice As one historian has pointed out, Spain is the grounds. only country in western Europe where it is possi - However, as Espinosa-Maestre recounts, “Shoot the Messenger? Spanish Democracy and ble to randomly dig a hole in the ground and run Garzón’s initiative faced immediate opposition, the Crimes of Francoism: From the Pact of Silence the risk of unearthing recent human remains. not only political but also, more tellingly, judicial. to the Trial of Baltasar Garzón” by Francisco The response to this state of affairs has been Lawsuits for malfeasance and abusing his powers Espinosa-Maestre (Sussex Academic Press, the emergence early this century of the move - were taken against the judge, including one for Brighton, 2013) £25 ment for the recovery of historical memory. Essen - ordering the investigation into the crimes of Fran - tially a loose amalgamation of families, local his - coism. In 2012 the Supreme Court disqualified Reviewed by Jim Jump torians and grass roots political activists, the him for 11 years. movement has set about cataloguing the crimes The infamous Garzón affair is one of 13 cases he way that free elec - of Franco and exhuming the bodies of assassi - described in “Shoot the Messenger?” in which Ttions and freedom of nated Republicans and giving them a proper bur - the Spanish judicial system has protected those speech were restored in ial. The process was afforded a measure of official implicated in Franco’s crimes but has singularly Spain following Franco’s blessing by the 2007 law of historical memory failed to respect the dignity and memory of “the death in 1975 has been enacted by the last PSOE government. But it intro - defeated”. The cases range from the banning of upheld as a template for duced largely symbolic gestures – including the documentary film “Rocío” by Fernando Ruiz other societies emerging granting Spanish citizenship to International Vergara, because it named the person responsi - from repression and dic - Brigade veterans and to Republican exiles and ble for one of the massacres in south-west Spain, tatorship to copy. Yet la their families – and was met with huge disap - to the failure to prevent baseless slanders against transición española is increasingly being ques - pointment by most of the movement’s activists. Ámparo Barayón and her family; she was the wife tioned inside Spain, especially from the left. Criti - Historian Francisco Espinosa-Maestre has been of novelist Ramón Sender and was murdered in cal voices have challenged the conventional nar - a leading figure in this movement for the recovery gaol in Zamora in 1936. rative that depicts what happened as a top-down of historical memory and is the author of several Then there is the case of Alfredo Grimaldos. He process facilitated by enlightened politicians and was convicted of tarnishing the memory of the a modernising king. Street protests, strikes and Rosón brothers, from Lugo, by writing an article popular campaigns also played their part in “The Spanish judicial about their murderous activities in Galicia in the ensuring that diehard Francoists loosened their 1930s. The brothers both died in 1986, after high grip on power. And it was far from being a blood - system has protected profile political careers that crossed over from less affair. Some 700 people died in political vio - the dictatorship and through the transition to lence from 1975 to 1981, the year when a PSOE those implicated in democracy. socialist government was elected and a coup “This is precisely what could not be forgotten in attempt by reactionary elements of the armed Franco ’s crimes but Grimaldos’s work,” writes Espinosa-Maestre. “He forces was thwarted. With the exception of Roma - had revealed the dark underside of the Transition nia, this is more than were killed in any of the War - has singularly failed and the dominant role played during that period saw Pact countries of eastern Europe when they by persons who had been openly involved in the moved to democracy between 1989-91. Yet that to respect the dignity military coup in July 1936 and in the fascist repres - process is invariably referred to as the cata - sion that followed.” clysmic “collapse of communism”. Spain, by con - and memory of ‘the The author concludes: “These lines of continu - trast, had a smooth-sounding “transition”. ity are demonstrated by the Spanish judicial Doubts have also being expressed about the defeated ’.” apparatus which decided against Grimaldos.”

24 International Brigade Memorial Trust MULTIMEDIA Songs inspired by their stories

By Jim Jump one of four men from Hull who died in Spain (he was killed in the Joe Solo has in his time been a Battle of Jarama in February 1937), busker, barman, kerb counter, Rotherham volunteer, lorry driver warehouse hand, copywriter and and political activist Tommy engineer. He has also been writing James, who died in 1971, and and recording original songs since Penny Phelps (later Feiwel), a 1987, including a series telling the nurse from north London who forgotten stories of individual served in Spain. working men from his native Hull The 11 tracks include “No that many of the details in the collection of songs delivered in a who lost their lives in the trenches Pasarán!”, a song about Atkinson, songs are lifted from James’s mem - modern folk style, with backing of the First World War. “Our Open Eyes”, which uses lines oir “Rounded Earth”, along with vocals and other instruments With his latest album he deploys from Cecil Day Lewis’s poem “The information passed on by surviving accompanying Joe Solo’s voice his considerable talents as a Volunteer” and is inspired by the relatives of Atkinson and James. and guitar. The result is a worthy songwriter and performer to life of Tommy James, and “Blood “There’s more in the album,” he tribute to the volunteers who went celebrate the International Runs Red”, based on Penny Fei - adds, “a little of Penny Feivel’s to Spain. Brigades and the fight to defend wel’s story. Other songs reference story, the cemetery at San Rafael in the Spanish Republic. the battles of Jarama and Brunete, Málaga, where 3,600 supporters of To buy the CD for £5 go to [http://joesolo The CD is dedicated to the mem - and “Cemetery Walls” is about the the Spanish Republic were mur - music.bandcamp.com], where it can also be ory of all those who went to Spain massacre of Republicans in Málaga. dered, and some pure fiction too. I downloaded in MP3 format for £3. For more from around the world. But three of Now based in Scarborough, Solo hope I’ve done them justice.” information about Joe Solo (pictured above), them loom large: Jack Atkinson, explained to the IBMT Newsletter This is an emotionally-charged see [www.joesolo.co.uk].

IN BARCELONA: The Catalan production of “Goodbye Barcelona” opened on 24 September 2013 for an eight- week run at the Teatre del Raval in Barcelona to rave reviews and packed houses. The musical’s composers, Karl Lewkowicz and Judith Johnson, are hoping that this success will give renewed impetus to the possibility of other productions in Spain and elsewhere. The musical played for four weeks at the Arcola Theatre, London, in IN BOURNEMOUTH: The cast of “¡No Pasarán!” in full voice. November and December 2011. Musical celebrates ‘heroism’ of the International Brigades

By Jim Jump the Spanish Republic – is captured by his unit . Roy Gaynor first became interested in the subject More twists and turns ensue and the story –told matter after reading George Orwell’s “Homage to Cat - You wait years for a musical about the International through rousing songs and a narrator –ends where it alonia”. He now hopes his musical – “a story of love, Brigades, and then two arrive at the same time… began, in the 1980s, and with secrets from the war still friendship and selflessness and the heroism of the Hot on the heels of the success of “Goodbye to emerge. Spanish people on both sides and of the volunteers of Barcelona” comes “¡No Pasarán!”, staged at the De The plot is implausible and ahistorical. And there is the International Brigades” – can reach new audi - La Salle Theatre in Bournemouth from 15-19 Octo - the occasional jolting lapse – the Francoists would ences at venues around the country. ber. With words by Roy Gaynor and music by Doug never have scrawled anything resembling ‘Viva fascis - Gould, it tells the story of Patrick and Catherine, tas’ (sic) on walls, nor raised a clenched fist; nor did A selection of some of the 38 songs in the production is lovers who are separated by sectarianism in Ireland, the Republic turn into a “communist dictatorship” by available on a CD, though only one of the five, a medley but who are reunited in the Spanish Civil War. the end of the civil war. But, overall, the lyrics and nar - of “No Pasarán”, “A Cause” and “Never Give Up”, fea - Patrick first joins the brigade of pro-Franco Irish ration display a good grasp of the key themes of the tures the more “political” songs. It costs £4 and can be Blueshirts, but then switches sides on witnessing conflict and the reasons why so many volunteered for ordered from [www.no-pasaran-musical.com], where fascist brutality and after Catherine – a volunteer for the International Brigades. there is more information about the musical.

International Brigade Memorial Trust 25 MULTIMEDIA WHAT’S ON

1 February BELFAST :Annual General Meeting of Belfast-based International Brigade Com - memoration Committee; from 10.15am at Shankill Library, 298-300 Shankill Road, BT13 2BN; programme includes unveiling of plaque to local volunteers and talk by Connal Parr (Queen’s University) on Protestant radicalism; for more information contact IBCC Secretary: 07751 951 785. IBMT 2013 commemoration video 9 February MANCHESTER : Annual rededica - A 25-minute video by Marshall Mateer of the tion of memorial to North West volunteers in IBMT’s 2013 annual commemoration in Jubilee Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, M2 5DE; Gardens, London, on 6 July is now on the IBMT - 11.30am-12.30pm; more information: Charles news channel on YouTube at [www.youtube. Jepson, tel: 01254-51302, email: [clarioncc@ com/user/IBMTnews]. yahoo.co.uk]. Along with speeches and orations, there are 21-23 February MADRID : 7th annual com - songs from the Catalans UK Choir and from Grace memoration of Battle of Jarama; includes Petrie, including her own compositions “Tell me a guided tour on Friday of British Battalion posi - Story” and “They Shall Not Pass!”. tions and evening event with guest speakers; on Saturday a tour of sites linked to the French, SPEAKERS: Talks are to be given at the IBMT’s Len Baxell and Preston on Orwell German and Italian battalions plus lunch at Crome Memorial Lecture (1 March) by (clockwise from Papers by historians Richard Baxell and Paul Pre - Morata de Tajuña; on Sunday, a choice of walk - top left) Carl-Henrik Bjerstrom (whose research at Royal ston on “George Orwell and the Spanish Civil ing tour of University City battle sites or coach Holloway, London University, centres on the cultural pol - War” for the 2013 Len Crome Memorial Lecture trip to Tarancón to visit former IB hospital and itics of the left in Spain in the 1930s), Dr Carmen Herrero are now online on the IBMT’s YouTube channel. memorial to Scottish volunteers; contact (principal lecturer on Spanish culture and film at Man - Preston’s contribution was read out in Manches - Danny Payne [[email protected]] or chester Metropolitan University), Professor Paul Preston ter on 2 March by IBMT Secretary Jim Jump as Pre - IBMT Secretary, tel: 020-7228 6504; for infor - (Director of the LSE’s Cañada Blanch Centre for Contem - ston was unable to attend because of ill health. mation on trip to Tarancón contact Mike Arnott: porary Spanish Studies and author of numerous books on the Spanish Civil War, including “We Saw Spain Die: See [www.youtube.com/user/IBMTnews]. [[email protected]] tel: 07951 443 656. Foreign Correspondents in the Spanish Civil War”) and 1 March MANCHESTER :IBMT’s annual Len Jane Rogoyska (writer, filmmaker and author of “Gerda Concert highlights Crome Memorial Lecture, “Taking Sides: Artists Taro: Inventing Robert Capa”. The event will be chaired Highlights of the Concert for and Writers on the Spanish Civil War”; see cap - by Professor Mary Vincent of Sheffield University. the International Brigades tion and photos of speakers above; 11am-5pm; held at the municipal audito - Manchester Conference Centre, Sackville contact: [[email protected]]; tel: +49 (0)40- rium in Logroño, capital of the Street, M1 3BB; conference fee £10 (or £12 on 616 484. Rioja region of northern the day), £25 with coffee and buffet lunch, £45 28 June BRUNETE :Annual walk around Spain, on 30 April 2013 are with coffee, buffet lunch and evening meal from Brunete battlefield organised by AABI Spanish now available to view online. 6pm-9pm; pre-booking for catering options International Brigades friendship group; see See [http://youtu.be/_fUkK essential by 1 February; payments to: IBMT [www.brigadasinternacionales.org] for more b0Rz00]. Co-sponsored by Treasurer, Aysgaard, Beardwood Brow, Black - information. the IBMT, the concert fea - burn BB2 7AT; contact Hilary Jones or Dolores 5 July LONDON :Annual IBMT commemoration tured musicians who played Long for more information: [hilary.m.jones@ at International Brigade Memorial in Jubilee at the IBMT’s annual commemoration in Lon - btinternet.com] tel: 0161-224 1747; [dolores Gardens, SE1 ; assemble 12.30pm for 1pm; fol - don’s Jubilee Gardens in July 2012. [email protected]] tel: 0161-226 2013. lowed by social from 2.30pm at Camel & Arti - Made by Sonovisión Centro Electrónico, the 13 April LONDON :Screening of “The Mexican choke, 121 Lower Marsh St, SE1 7AE; contact film runs for nearly 21 minutes and includes, fol - Suitcase” about the “lost” Spanish Civil War IBMT Secretary (see page 10) for more details. lowing introductory speeches, performances by photos of Robert Capa, Gerda Taro and David 6 September OXFORD :IBMT’s Annual General Paco Marín, Ewan McLennan and Na-mara. Seymour; 11am, followed by Q&A with a panel Meeting at 2.30pm at Ruskin College, Dunstan including Professor Paul Preston; organised by Rd, Old Headington, OX3 9BZ; more details and Ireland links the London Socialist Film Cooperative; Bolivar programme of events to be announced; to book Dublin IBMT member Luke O’Riordan has posted Hall, 54 Grafton Way, W1T 5DL; more informa - b&b accommodation (limited availability) at a 1971 Irish TV programme – see [www.youtube. tion: [http://socialistfilm.blogspot.co.uk]. Ruskin for £54 per night (en suite) or £42 per com/watch?v=Qv4fUulSuQ8] –on his late grand - 30 May –1 June HAMBURG :Weekend of night (standard) email: [[email protected]]. father, Irish International Brigader Michael O’Ri - events organised by IBMT sister group in Ger - ordan (1917-2006). He has also posted – see many, KFSR, including harbour tour of sites of NB: Events not organised by the IBMT are the [www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9B8cz8prbY] – a anti-fascist resistance and visit to graves of responsibility of the individuals and organisa - recording of his mother and IBMT activist Annette International Brigaders; for more information tions concerned. O’Riordan (1953-2013) singing “Pulling Hard Against the Stream” on 25 January 2002 at the Ruskin College, Oxford: venue “Tribute to Mick O’Riordan” concert organised by for this year’s IBMT Annual Gen - IBMT Patron Christy Moore in Dublin. eral Meeting. See 6 September listing above. These postings also provide a link – see [www. youtube.com/watch?v=qTGZXGL2syQ] – to the address by Luke’s father, IBMT Ireland Secretary Manus O’Riordan, in Liberty Hall, Dublin, at the celebration of the life of International Brigader Bob Doyle (1916-2009) on 14 February 2009.

26 International Brigade Memorial Trust IBMT merchandise Proceeds help fund the commemorative, educational and publicity work of the trust

CD single Exclusively for the IBMT, Billy Bragg performs “Jarama Valley” and Maxine Peake delivers La Pasionaria’s ¡Salud! emotional farewell speech to the British Volunteers in the Republican International Brigades with a dub Medical Service during the Spanish IBMT greetings card backing from The Urban Roots. Civil War, by Linda Palfreeman £5 plus £1.99 p&p Measuring approximately 15cm x (paperback). 10cm, the IBMT greetings card £12 plus £3.99 p&p features a drawing by Rafael Alberti dedicated to the International Brigades in 1996. Blank inside. British Battalion t-shirt £5 for pack of 6 (including envelopes) In red or grey and made for the IBMT by plus £1.99 p&p t-shirt specialists Philosophy Football from ethically sourced cotton. British Battalion banner on front and “International Brigade Memorial Trust” on sleeve. IBMT badge Available in: Solid metal badge with International S (36inch chest/90cms) Brigade medal in centre and M (40inch/100cms) International Brigade Memorial Trust L (44inch chest/110cms) around the edge. XL (48inch/120cms) £3 plus £2.99 p&p Antifascistas XXL (52inch/130cms) British and Irish Volunteers in Fitted women’s (34-36inch/70-90cms). the Spanish Civil War £15 plus £3.99 p&p The story of the volunteers in words and pictures, by Richard Baxell, Angela Jackson and Jim Jump (paperback). IBMT Orwell poster £10 plus £2.99 p&p Wristband A3 poster of George Orwell designed Stretchy rubber wristband in Spanish by Simon Hawkesworth of Fold Design Republican colours and embossed for IBMT’s 2013 Len Crome Memorial with “IBMT” and “antifascistas”. Lecture. £2.50 plus £2.99 p&p £2 plus £2.99 p&p

Tom Mann Centuria t-shirt Made for the IBMT by t-shirt specialists Philosophy Football from ethically sourced cotton. Tom Mann Centuria banner on front. “International Brigade Memorial Poems from Spain Trust” on sleeve. Available in S, M, L, Collection of poems written by British XL, XXL and fitted women’s size (see and Irish International Brigaders. 75th anniversary plate above for size details). Edited by Jim Jump (paperback). A limited edition of 75 plates £13 plus £3.99 p&p £10 plus £2.99 p&p (individually numbered) made in the UK from finest bone china. Each plate Send orders, including your name (26cm diameter) has a copy of the and address, a size and colour medal given to International Brigade where appropriate, and a cheque members along with a list of major payable to the IBMT to: IBMT battles. Merchandise, 286 Brantingham £30 plus £4.99 p&p Road, Manchester M21 0QU. For multiple orders in the UK up to a value of £30 (excluding p&p) calculate total p&p by taking the highest p&p among items ordered, halving the p&p of the remaining Looking Back at the Spanish Civil items and adding them together. War There is no p&p on orders for goods IBMT’s Len Crome Memorial Lectures worth more than £30. 2002-2010 by expert historians on the Jarama 75th anniversary poster Spanish Civil War, including Helen Connolly Column t-shirt A3 poster specially designed for the For orders outside the UK or to pay Graham, Paul Preston, Francisco J Black cotton t-shirt with design IBMT by Simon Hawkesworth of Fold by credit card or PayPal, go to our Romero Salvadó, Richard Baxell, (pictured) in Spanish Republican Design to mark the 75th anniversary of Enrique Moradiellos, Angela Jackson, colours across chest commemorating the British Battalion’s first and most website: [www.international- Ángel Viñas and Julián Casanova. the volunteers from Ireland. Available bloody battle. With first two verses of brigades.org.uk/merchandise.php] Edited by Jim Jump (paperback). in S, M, L, XL. “Jarama Valley”. where there are also other items £10 plus £3.99 p&p £10 plus £3.99 p&p £2 plus £2.99 p&p listed for sale . w I n w t w e . i r n n t e a r n t a i t o i o n n a a BrI l S I C l - b

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