Anti-Tank Battery

British Anti-Tank Gun Battery

Generous, gifted, brave, sincere and true,
to futurity gave all that was best in you.
Bravely you lived, nobly you died,
what you believed, treachery denied.
We will remember those pioneer years,
the heroic number our hopes and our fears.
Salud! dear comrade, we honour with pride
the artist who lived, the fighter who died
Mary Brooksbank

Humphrey Richard Hugh Slater: born: 7/6/1906, Carlisle, Cumberland. CPGB (1929) Single. Age: 31. Occupation: Journalist. CPGB (1929) Sub-District organiser and propagandist. T&GWU, Chairman of 1/204 Branch. Enlistment Address; c/o 16 King Street, Covent Garden, London (CPGB HQ) First arrived in Spain in August 1936? Arrived in Spain:13/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 16/5/1937. Political Commissar of Anti-Tank Battery. Anti-Tank Battery Commander (after Malcolm Dunbar was promoted) Eventually appointed Chief of Operations for the XV International Brigade. Repatriated in August 1938. Action's participated in: Jarama, Brunete, Quinto, Belchite, Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Seguers de los Banos, Aragon. Repatriated in October 1938. Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

William Alexander: born 13/06/1910 Enlistment Address: Hightown, Ringwood, Hampshire. Attended Reading University. Occupation: Industrial Chemist/Paperworker. CPGB. (1933) Print Workers Union. Arrived in Spain 19/05/1937. Enlisted in the Battalion 22/05/1937. Political Commissar of the British Anti-Tank Battery. Citied for bravery at Belchite (September 1937). Saw action at Brunete and at Teruel. Promoted to Captain and commanded the British Battalion between 27/12/1937 and 17/02/1938 until wounded in an attack on Segura de los Banos. Invalided home in July 1938. Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

Ronald Malcolm Lorraine Dunbar: born 12/02/1912. Paignton, Derbyshire. OTC at Repton School. (1925-1930) Cambridge graduate. (1930-1933) Occupation: Journalist. Harrogate, London. Left London for Spain 05/01/1937, arriving in Spain 10/01/1937. 16th Battalion Group leader at Jarama in February 1937, and was wounded in the arm on 17/02/1937 or 18/02/1937. When the anti tank battery was first formed in May 1937, Dunbar was it's first commanding officer. Chief of Operations and went on to become Chief of Staff of the 15th Brigade with the rank of Major. Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

Jeffrey Mildwater: born 1915. Enlistment Address; 5 Hertford Road, East Finchley, London. N12. Single. Occupation: Bricklayer. CPGB. (1935) Sailed for Dunkirk: 1/5/1937 ( Vol 29. 742a) Arrived in Spain:15/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 18/5/1937. Attained the rank of Lieutenant. Second in command of the British Anti-Tank Battery under Hugh Slater. Wounded at Fuentes de Ebro on 13/10/1937 during the Aragon Offensive. Returned to the UK on 25/7/1938.

Arthur Reid Nichol: born: 19/1/1903. Enlistment Address: 112 Alexander Street, Dundee. Occupation: Dispatch Clerk. Married with four children. Age: 34. CPGB (1927) Arrived in Spain 15/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 18/5/1937. Lieutenant commanding No. 2 Company. Member of the British Anti-Tank Battery. Political Commissar and eventually Battery Commander ( Battery disbanded during the Aragon retreats in April 1938.) Wounded on 28/7/1938. Actions present at: Jarama, Brunete, Belchite, Teruel, Aragon, Ebro. Present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. Returned to the West Station, Dundee, on 12/12/1938 with seven other Dundee volunteers. Embarked on a speaking tour of the UK to raise funds/support for Spain, with 22 other Brigaders. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 177_188028

James (Paddy) Sullivan: born 17/04/1913. Enlistment Addres c/o Bernard Sullivan (father) 25 Bouverie Street, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Occupation; Bootmaker. Age 24. Arrived in Spain:18/05/1937. Commander No. 2 Gun. Rank: Sergeant. Known as 'Sarge'. Wounded at Brunete. Joined Battalion on 12/5/1938. Rifle No: 65282. Major Attlee No. 1 Company. Squad Leader. Killed on 28/7/1938 leading his squad in an attack on Hill 481, near Gandesa.

Alan William Gilchrist: born 3/7/1913, Brighton, England. Occupation: School teacher. NUT. Address: 9 Benwood Court, Benhill Wood Road, Sutton, Surrey also 11 Carson Road, London S. E. 21. CPGB. (1934) Age: 25. Single. Enlistment Address; 14 Longcroft Lane, Welwyn Garden City, London. Arrived in Spain on 19/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 22/5/1937. British Anti-Tank Battery Political Commissar from January 1938 until April 1938. Joined Battalion 12/04/1938 (ATB disbanded April 1938) Major Attlee No.1 Company Commissar. Actions present at: Jarama, Brunete, Teruel, Aragon, Ebro. Fell ill after Brunete with Malaria, recovered to attend OTS (Officer Training School). Wounded in the chest at the Ebro on 31/7/1938. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:: 177-188054

Edward Rae Brown: born 1/1/1906, Coupar Angus, Scotland. 28 Whitefriars Street, Perth (also address at 11 Commercial St, Coupar Angus. Aged 31. Occupation: Painter. (GR Douglas & Sons, Princess Street, Perth) Perth Branch, National Society of Painters (joined in Edinburgh in 1927) Arrived in Spain: 10/05/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 13/05/1937. Served with British Anti-Tank Battery. Wounded at Brunete in July 1937 and at the Ebro on 27/7/1938. Returned to UK on 7/12/1938. RGASPI Moscow Archives, Fond: 545, Op: 6, Delo:

Christopher Smith: born: 11/9/1915, Coatbridge, Scotland. Enlistment Address: 43 Gilmour Crescent, Rutherglen. Lanarkshire. Single. YCL. CPGB (1932) Territorial Army. Age 22. Occupation: Clerk. Arrived in Spain 10/5/1937. Enlistment in Battalion: 13/5/1937. Member of the British Anti-Tank Battery, enlisting on 13/6/1937. Rank Sergeant, appointment confirmed on 21/12/1937. Gun Commander in charge of No 3 gun. Battery Adjutant. Actions participated in with the Anti Tanks: Brunete, Aragon Offensive, Teruel, Aragon (retreats). Wounded in the Abdomen at Quinto on 24/8/1937. Recovered at Mataro Hospital from 24/8/1937-30/9/1937. Anti Tank Battery disbanded on 14/4/1938. Joined British Battalion. Brigade Machine Gun Unit during the Ebro Offensive Offensive. CP responsable for Section 3. Section leader. Battalion No 1050. Repatriated in October 1938. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:177-188008

Otto Estensen: born: 9/8/1910, Thornaby on Tees. Address: Halcroft, Redcar Rd, Ormesby, Middlesborough. Occupation: ABS aboard Ship. Member of National Union of Seamen, Middlesborough Branch since 1925. Mandolin player. CPGB (1933) Age: 27. Arrived in Spain: 15/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 18/5/1937. Anti-Tank Battery. Citied for bravery twice. Wounded twice, once on 27/7/1938 during the Ebro Offensive. Joined British Battalion on 12/4/1938. Major Attlee No. 1 Company. Section Leader. Confirmed Sergeant on 24/2/1937. Wounded Aragon, present at Vic (Vich) hospital on 14/10/1938. Action's participated in: Jarama, Brunete, Teruel, Seguera de los Banos, Belchite, Ebro, Gandesa. Repatriated December 1938. Died January 1979.

James Francis Brewer: born: 7/4/1913, Rhymney, Monmouthshire. Enlistment Address: 15 Upper High Street, Rhymney. South Wales. Born 7/04/1913. Occupation: Miner. SWMF. Harlech College (1931-1932) Ruskin College Oxford (1934-1936) Oxford University Graduate. Single. CPGB (1937) Labour Party. Sailed for Dunkirk 25/4/1937. Arrived in Spain: 10/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 13/05/1937. Rifle No: 34400. Served with the British Anti-Tank Battery. Member of Machine Gun Company (ATB disbanded April 1938) Actions Present at: Jarama, Brunete, Teruel, Seguera de los Banos, Aragon, Ebro. Repatriated to the UK 07/12/1938. Possible burial date 05/11/1993.
Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 177-188005

Ronald H. Bates: Born in 1911, Nottingham, Occupation: Clerk. 38 Quarry Road, Swindon. Brother of Ralph. Age: 26. CPGB. Went to Spain via France in 1937. Joined battalion on 12/04/1938. Fought at Teruel, a town situated between Zaragoza and Valencia in Eastern Spain, in the winter of 1938. Rifle No. 104544. Survived the Battle of the Ebro, but contracted typhoid and ended up in a small hospital in Barcelona before returning to the UK. Worked at Bray Court a home for the refugee Basque children.

John Peter Cowan Dunlop: born: 2/7/1915, Winnipeg, Canada. Enlistment Address; 9 East Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh University Accountancy student. CPGB (1936) OTC in England. Single. Age 22. Arrived in Spain 19/05/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 22/5/1937. British Anti Tank Battery. Action's participated in: Jarama, Brunete, Teruel, Belchite, Ebro. Wounded at Brunete in July 1937, (between 6th and 12th) by shrapnel in the back. In hospital at Barcelona. Joined British Battalion on Battalion 10/11/1937. Wounded 20/1/1938. In Hospital February-April 1938. Rifle No; 98101. No. 4 Company, Section 2, platoon 2. Confirmed Corporal on 30/4/1938. Sergeant. Wounded during the Ebro Offensive on 31/7/1938. In hospital 3/10/1938? Invalided home in October 1938. Set up his own printing business in Edinburgh upon his return. RGASPI Moscow Archives, Fond: 545, Op: 6, Delo:

John Londragon: born: 1911. Enlistment Address; 113 West North Street, Aberdeen. Age: 25. Occupation: Railway Worker. ILP. CPGB (1929) Group Leader on the journey to Spain. Arrived in Spain 10/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 13/5/1937. Member of the British Anti-Tank Battery. Wounded by shell splinter's in the leg, hand and forehead on either July 26th or 27th, 1937 at Brunete. Recovered from his wounds at four hospital including Mataro and the American Hospital at Villa Paz, in Saelices. Appointed to an administrative position at Albacete overseeing the arrival of new recruits. Repatriated 2/7/1938. (PF54. 180, V51 1364.) Battalion No. 1035. Last surviving Aberdonian Brigader, died in 1993.

Anthony Craft: born: 26/4/1912, Durham. Enlistment Address: 4 Peartree Terrace, Burnhope County, County Durham. Occupation: Bricklayer/Miner. MFGB. CPGB (1936) Age: 24. Left England for Spain: 1/1/1937. Arrived in Spain 5/1/ 1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 7/1/1937. Group Leader during the Jarama action. Wounded in the left arm and head on 13/2/1937. OTS, May 1937. Wounded 15/11/1937. No.1 on gun. Rank: Sergeant. Served with anti-tanks at Brunete. Sanitario Service. Action's participated in; Jarama, Brunete, Caspe. Reported as being at Argaro on 21/8/1938. Repatriated in October 1938.

Thomas Jones: born 13/10/1908, Lancashire. Moved to Rhosllanerchrugog, Denbigshire as a boy. Enlistment Address; 56 Chapel Street, Wrexham. CPGB (1931) Occupation: Miner. Left England for Spain 03/04/1937. Arrived in Spain 13/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 16/5/1937. Member of the anti-tank battery. Reported killed in error 17/9/1938. Badly injured in the right arm at the Ebro, and taken prisoner in September 1938. 11/03/1939 reported as a prisoner at San Pedro de Cardena. Released in March 1940, only after the British government agreed to sign a trade agreement that was, according to some, worth £2,000,000. Probably the last British Brigader to see Major Frank Ryan alive. Arrived in London on 2/4/1940, along with Scotsman Frank Cameron. Always know as "Tom Spain" thereafter. died 1990.

William Cranston: born 07/01/11, Leith. Scotland. Enlistment Address: 3 Abbey Street, Edinburgh, Lothian. also: c/o Renton, 7 High Street, Portobello. Age 26, Salesman. (Father) 6 Lochend Park, Edinburgh. Married with one child. CPGB. (1935) Arrived in Spain 15/5/1937. Enlisted 18/5/1937. Rank: Cabo. Anti-Tank battery, Quartermaster In charge of ammunition. Wounded at Fuentes del Ebro October 1937. Joined British Battalion on 15/4/1938 after the ATB was disbanded. Arrived back at Newhaven, UK on 1/12/1938. Battalion No. 1081

Miles Ridley Tomalin: Born; 4/2/1903. Sanderstead, Surrey. Enlistment Address: 40 Primrose Hill Road, London. Cambridge Graduate. Occupation: Writer. CPGB (1935) Married with one Child. Arrived in Spain 10/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 13/5/1937. Member of the British Anti-Tank Battery, No. 1 Gun, Gunner, Cultural Delegate of Battery, 'Volunteer for Liberty' staff member, Madrid and Barcelona, December 1937-2/2/1938. XV Brigade Commisseriat, February 1938-April 1938. XV Brigade Estado Mayor, International Mailman, April-August 1938. Actions present at: Jarama, Brunete, Quinto, Belchite, Fuentes de Ebro, Seguera de los Banos, Aragon and the Ebro Offensive. Registered as being present at the IB hospital at Santa Coloma de Farnes on 31/8/1938 and 14/10/1938 (posioned foot?) The originator of the wall newspaper the 'Assault and Battery News' Miles was journalist, poet, writer and recorder player. Repatriated 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John Frank Proctor: Enlistment Address; 13 Faraday Street, LiverpoolOccupation: Engineers Apprentice. Single. Age: 21. Arrived in Spain; 16/5/1937. Anti-Tank Battery. Rank: Sergeant. Chief Observer. Citied for bravery at Quinto and Belchite. Joined No. 4 Company British Battalion on 15/4/1938, fter the ATB was disbanded in April 1938. Rifle No: 30053. Severely wounded in action in the Seirra Pandols on 24/8/1938. Evacuated to a dressing station where his wound was dressed. It is stated that it is 'highly probable' he died from his wounds during his journey to hospital. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 11_1791

Hugh Sloan: also know as Hugh Smith: born: Methil, Fife, 1912. 195 West High St, Methill, Fife. Occupation; Miner. FMU (Fife Miners Union) NUWM (1931-1934) CPGB (1931) Single. Enlistment Address: Peden Cottages, Crossroads, Methill, Fife. Arrived in Spain: 15/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 18/5/1937. Served as a runner, observer, paymaster and secretary with the British Anti -Tank Battery. Actions participated in: Brunete, Quinto, Belchite, Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Ebro. Commisseriat and Brigade Machine-Gun Company. Repatriated December 1938. RGASPI Moscow Archives, Fond: 545, Op: 6, Delo:

James Stranney: born: 31/5/1915, Belfast. Enlistment Address; 10 John Street, Belfast. Occupation: General Labourer. IRC (Irish Republican Congress) Age: 23. Arrived in Spain: 20/9/1937. Member of gun team No. 2 of the British Anti-Tank Battery. Joined British Battalion No. 1 Company on 12/4/1938 after the disbandment of the ATB in April 1938. Rifle No: 152857. Confirmed Cabo (Corporal) on 20/5/1938. Missing/KIA 31st July 1938 at Hill 481, Gandesa

George Wilson Murray: born: 31/12/1909, Newton of Tornaveen, Aberdeenshire. Enlistment Address: 6 Belgrove Place, Edinburgh, Lothian. Occupation: Printer. ILP CPGB. (1931) Sister Anne nursed in Spain and brother Tom was a Political Commissar. Arrived in Spain 10/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 13/5/1937. Member of the British Anti-tank Battery. Loader No.3 Canon. Wounded in the chest (lung) at Jarama by a sniper. Two years as an agent of SIM, (Servicio de Investigacion Militar), for the Battalion. Observer for No.2 Company. Repatriated 7/12/1938. Worked in a reserved occupation in the shipyards during WW2.

William Moses real name:William Stewart: born: 3/4/1910, Airdrie, Scotland. 127 East Road, London. Plumber. Enlistment Address; 511 Young Street, Winnipeg, Canada. CPGB (1934) Age: 28. Sailed for Dunkirk: 1/5/1937 (Vol. 51, 1561b) Arrived in Spain: 15/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 18/05/1937. Wounded at Fuentes de Ebro 10/1937. Munitions and armoury. Repatriated in October 1938. Served in WW2, KIA 30/12/1941.

George Baker: Enlistment Address; 4 Gelli Terrace, Gelli, Rhondda. Occupation: Miner. SWMF. Age: 35. Left for Dunkirk 02/05/1937. Arrived in Spain; 18/5/1937. Returned 17/09/1938. Joined the CPGB upon his return and was elected as a Communist councillor for Rhondda in 1964. Died in September 1982 aged eighty.

Fredrick Arthur Thomas: born 1911, Dalston, Hackney, London. Enlistment Address: 105 Landsdown Road, Hackney E8. CPGB. (1926) Age: 30. Occupation: Cabinetmaker. Trade Union: NAFTA (national Amalgamated Furnishing Trades Association, No. 60, A. Hackney, 1935. Arrived in Spain: 15/5/1937. Base Instruction Company, 18/5/1937. Member of the British Anti-tank Battery. Actions present at; Jarama, Brunete, Teruel, Ebro. Wounded in both legs at Mosquito Ridge (Brunete) on 21/7/1937 and in the left wrist by a sniper at Teruel on 29/1/1938. Edited the ATB wall newspaper upon the promotion of the previous incumbant, Miles Tomalin. Repatriated on 12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Evan J. Lloyd: Bedlinog, Wales. Age: 22. Occupation: Miner. Arrived in Spain, May 1937. Cook. Wounded at the Ebro 26/7/1938.

William 'Paddy' Stafford: born: Cork? Ireland/London SW19. Age: 35. Occupation: Leather worker. Arrived in Spain: 8/8/1937. Evacuated sick at Teruel.

Benjamin Glaser: born: 23/5/1910. Enlistment Address: 25 Wellclose Square, London. Occupation: Cabinet Maker. CPGB (1936) Member of the Unity Theatre Club, London. Single. Enlisted in Battalion: 18/5/1937. Member of the British Anti-Tank Battery. Reported to have suffered from shellshock but insisted on rejoining the Battery. Killed in action on 8/9/1938 whilst with the Division machine-gun company in the Sierra Cabals during the Ebro Offensive.

Suggested Reading:
'To Tilt at Windmills, A Memoir of the Spanish Civil War' Fred Thomas

Anti-Tank Battery Officers: from left, Bill Alexander, (Commissar) Hugh Slater (Second commander of the Battery) and Jeff Mildwater. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

Members of the Battery: From Left, Otto Estensen, Sergeant Jimmy Sullivan, Canon No 2. unknown, Huge Sloan, Frank Proctor.

Left: Miles Tomalin, Hugh Slater (Battery Commander) and Sergeant Jimmy Sullivan

Members of the Anti-Tank Battery at Aragon August 1937. Back row 4th left Hugh Slater, (6th left) Jim Brewer, Middle row second left Miles Tomalin, Arthur Nicoll, Otto Estensen. Front row: Bill Cranston, Huge Sloan, Chris Smith, Tom Jones.

Battery Gun Commanders: From left: Sergeants: Chris Smith, Mino Delfin Saturnino, Jimmy Sullivan, Battery Commander Arthur Nicholl and Sergeant Otto Estensen.

Ambite, Madrid, Autum 1937. from left: unknown, Chris Smith, Jimmy Arthur, Miles Tomalin, Bill Cranston, Tom Jones, unknown, George Baker, unknown. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 11-1800

Gun breach of the 45mm Anti-tank Gun. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

A 45mm Anti-Tank Gun similar to the one used by the British Anti Tank Battery in Spain. Each gun had a crew of nine including an observer, loader and ammunition carriers. The battery disbanded during the retreat from Aragon in early 1938.

A 45mm Anti-tank Gun similar to the one used by the British Anti Tank Battery in Spain. Capable of firing both armour piercing and high explosive shells to a distance of 12km. The battery had three of these Soviet made guns.

Moving the gun into a firing position up the Hill to Ambite. It took most of the 9 man crew to move the gun, you can see the ropes at the sides. Hugh Sloan (third left) and George Baker (first right) Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:177_180017

Back row left: Miles Tomalin, unknown, Tom Jones. front row: left, Bill Cranston, Anthony Craft.

The "Assault and Battery News", the wall newspaper of the anti-tank battery, efficently and expertly run by first Miles Tomalin and then laterly Frank Thomas. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 177_198006

Battery Commander Hugh Slater with members of the ATB.

Members of the British Anti-Tank Battery. Back left: unknown, Hugh Slater, Tony Craft, unknown. front row. left: Hugh Sloan (Smith) and Frank Proctor.

Ambite, November 1937. Tom Jones, George Murray, Jimmy Sullivan, Huge Sloan, Otto Estensen, Miles Tomalin, Arthur Nichol, Chris Smith, Huge Slater, George Baker. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 11:1796

Ambite Palace today (same view as picture on the left, 70 or so years later) Thanks to Alan Warren for his photograph.

The Anti-tank Battery in action at Fuentes de Ebro. October 1937. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 11-1232

The British Anti-Tank Battery of the XV International Brigade 1937-1838: Volunteers included: Otto Estensen (second row first left) Jimmy Sullivan (killed at Gandesa, second row fourth left) Huge Sloan (Smith) (second row fifth left) Huge Slater (second row seventh left) Jeff Mildwater (second row eighth left) Frank Proctor (Killed in the Seirra Pandols 24/8/1938) Bill Cranston, Frank Thomas, George Murray, Malcolm Dunbar, Jack Black (killed at Brunete) John Dunlop, John Londragon, Chris Smith, Jim Coombes (killed at Belchite) Miles Tomalin, Tom Jones, Bill Alexander, Arthur Nicholl, Alan Gilchrist, George Baker, Fraser Crombie (killed at Brunete) Eddie Brown, Jan 'John' Pawlowsk, Evan Llyod, Jim Brewer, George Murray, Jimmy Arthur. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 177_191159

The British Anti-Tank Battery relaxing at their base at Ambite in Autum 1937. Picture credit to Richard Baxell, Jim Carmody, Danny Payne and others as yet unnamed

﻿British Anti-Tank Gun Battery﻿

British Anti-Tank Gun Battery