British battalion

British Battalion

"We fight to free Madrid as the first step to freeing Spain. We fight to free Spain as the first step towards freeing the world of fascism."
(Orders of the Day 15th Brigade, July 5th 1937, the day before the battle of Brunete)

Sam Wild: born 19/08/1908, Ardwick, Manchester. Joined the British Navy in 1924 at 16 and served for 11 years. Able seaman Gunner. Enlistment Address: 34 Stockton Street, Moss-side, Manchester. NUWM. Age: 28. Occupation: Sailor/Rigger. Single. CPGB (1934) CPC (Communist Party of Spain) Sailed Dover to Dunkirk: 31/12/1926 (V 15. 453a.) Arrived in Spain: 2/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 5/1/1937. Made section leader on 1/2/1937. Wounded four times, once in each arm, and twice in the left side on 12/2/1937 at Jarama. Recovered in hospital and was back at Jarama on 17/5/1937. Posted to Battalion armoury. Placed in charge of No's 1 and 2 Company after Villauneva de la Canada. He also saw action at Brunete (Villauneva de la Canada) Teruel (Seguera de los Banos) Belchite (Caspe) Gandesa and the actions along the Ebro river. Wounded again at Brunete, taking a bullet to the right thigh on 9/7/1937. Rejoined Battalion on 7/8/1937. Sam returned to the UK for a propaganda tour on 29/9/1937, returning to Spain on 23/11/1937. Promoted to Battalion Adjutant on either 19/12/1937 or 26/12/1937. Possible wound sustained to the right hand during the Aragon retreats. Wounded in the right hand by a shell splinter in the Sierra Pandols (Ebro) Promoted to Battalion Commander on 17/3/1938. Promoted to Major on 17/10/1938. He received the Republic's highest decoration for bravery, the medal of valor. The citation read: "His untiring energy and efficiency gave an example of bravery to the whole Battalion." Sam was the last, and was regarded as the best Commander of the Battalion. Led the British Battalion home to Victoria Station on 7/12/1938. He returned to Manchester after his time in Spain and was active in raising funds for both the Spanish people, and in the International Brigade Association.

Fred Bayes Copeman: born 01/03/1907 in Wangford Union Workhouse, Beccles, East Suffolk, England. Joined the Royal Navy at age 14, serving on HMS Suffolk. Leading Seaman, Gunner's mate. Leader of the Invergordon Naval 'mutiny' over proposed paycuts in 1931. T&GWU. NUWM (National Unemployed Workers' Movement) CPGB (1934) Enlistment address: 17 Waller Road, New Cross, London. Occupation: Rigger. Arrived in Spain: 2/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 5/1/1937. Machine-gun Instructor. Appointed 'spare' officer to No.1 Company. Wounded (head and arm) at Jarama on 16/2/1937. Became Adjutant to Jock Cunningham in March 1937, then promoted to Battalion Commander. Commanded the British Battalion from 17/3/1937 until 19/7/1937. Returned to the UK for a propaganda campaign in August 1937. Returned to become staff officer of the 15th brigade. Commanded the British Battalion again from 9/11/1937 until 26/12/1937. Prior to Teruel he nearly died from complications which resulted from an infected shrapnel wound. Some reports indicate peritonitis/appendicitis. Operated on and recuperated in Spain, being repatriated in May 1938. Returned to the UK and married Kitty Bowler. Worked for the Dependent's Aid Committee. Present at the return of the British Battalion to Victoria Station on 7/12/1928.

Thomas Henry Wintringham: born 15/05/1898, Grimsby. WW1 veteran. Dispatch rider and mechanic attached to the Balloon Corps seeing action at Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Other sources say he served with the Royal Flying Corp and RAF in France. Oxford University Graduate, Balliol College. CPGB. (1923) Age: 38. Enlistment Address: Waner Avenue, Richmond, Surrey. Journalist for the Daily Worker arriving in Barcelona September 1936. Formed the Tom Mann Centuria. Joined the British Battalion in Albacete in January 1937. Training Officer/Machine-Gun Instructor. Commander of the British Battalion from 8/2/1937 until 13/2/1937. Wounded at Jarama at around 5.pm on 13/02/1937. Treated at Pasionaria Military Hospital in Murcia. Rejoined the XV Brigade on 18/08/1937 as a staff officer. During the Battle of Belchite on 24/8/1937, he was shot in the shoulder whilst directing operations as the Battalion attempted to capture the town of Quinto. Repatriated to England in November 1937. Helped found Osterley Park, a training school for the Home Guard in 1940. Died on the 6th of August 1949.

Joseph Wallace Cunningham: born 20/12/1902, at 17 Balgray Row, Glasgow. Lived at 77 Whiflett St. Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland. British Army (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Led a mutiny over pay and conditions whilst stationed in the Caribbean. CPGB (1931) Age: 33. Occupation: Miner. Trade Union: MFGB (Miners Federation Great Britain) Arrived in Spain 19/10/1936. Joined the Machine-Gun Company of the Commune de Paris Battalion, part of the 11th (XI) International Brigade. Jock took part in the fighting at Madrid, Las Rozas and Lopera. Joined the newly formed British Battalion. In command of No.1 Company 16th Battalion on 27/1/1937. Hospitalised by flu during the first day's fighting at Jarama. Arrived to take temporary command of the Battalion on the evening of 13/2/1937 after Tom Wintringham was wounded. He and Irishman Frank Ryan were responsible for the 'Great Rally' of wounded and dispirited Brigaders on the 14th, rallying them back to the front to hold the Madrid to Valencia road. He himself was wounded on 14/3/1937, twice in the left arm and once in the chest. Cunningham was hospitalised, returning in late May 1937. Promoted to Major and given a staff role at Brigade HQ. After the Battle of Brunete he was recalled to the UK (29/8/1937) along with Wally Tapsell, Fred Copeman and George Aitken. Tapsell vehement in his criticism of both Cunningham and Aitken. Jock did not return to Spain and became disillusioned with the Communist Party. Rather sadly, Jock was reported to have been seen by former Battalion Commissar Bob Cooney at a rally in Aberdeen, sometime in the 1950's, 'on the tramp' Jock died of bronchial carcinoma on 22/2/1969 Thanks to Mike Arnott for bio info. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

George Sutherland Aitken: born: 1894, Airdrie, Scotland. Enlistment Address: 41 Midholm, London, NW 11. also 52 The Drive, Golders Green, London, NW 11. Age: 42. WW1 veteran, wounded at the Battle of Loos. Member of CPGB (1920) Communist Party organiser. A member of the AEU (Amalgamated Engineering Union) Attended the Lenin School in Moscow. Arrived in Spain 26/1/1937?. In Spain 28/1/1937(PF. 39 030) First Political Commissar of the British Battalion in action. He replaced the promoted Dave Springhall. Took temporary command of the British Battalion at Jarama after Tom Wintringham had been wounded around 5 pm on 13/2/1937. Aitken was relieved by Jock Cunningham later that evening. He later became Political Commissar of the XV Brigade and held this position through Jarama and Brunete. Recalled to the UK on 29/8/1937, along with Fred Copeman, Wally Tapsell and Jock Cunningham, Tapsell in particular was highly critical of Aitken and he was not to return to Spain.

Samuel George Montague Nathan: born 1895 or 1897. WW1, 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. POW in Germany. Joined the International Brigades in December 1936. Commanded the British No.1 Company of the La Marseillaise French 14th Battalion who fought at Lopera in December 1936. Killed at Brunete on 16/07/1937 by bomb shrapnel. He was given a funeral with full military honours when buried.

Patrick O'Daire: born: 22 /05/1905, Glenties, County Donegal. IRA. NCO in the Free State army during the Irish Civil War. TGWU shop Steward. Emigrated to Canada in 1929 and was jailed for 15 months in Saskatchewan for provoking a riot. Member of the CPGB in Bootle, Liverpool, in 1934. Single. Occupation: Labourer. Enlistment Address; 1120 -14th Street, East, Saskatoon, Canada. Arrived in Spain: 7/12/1936. Enlisted in Battalion at Tarazona: 10/12/1936. Wounded at Lopera. Posted to No 2 Company XX (20th) Battalion, 86th Mixta Brigade. Appointed commander of the British Battalion from August–September 1937 and in 1938 he was promoted to director of operations of the 15th International Brigade. Repatriated on 14/9/1938. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

Douglas Frank Springhall: (Dave or Springie) born: 28/03/1901, Kensal Green, West London. Royal Navy during WW1. Wrote 'Discontent of the Lower Deck'. Alumni of the Lenin School in Moscow (1928?) YCL (national leadership) Thames valley organiser of the National Unemployed Workers Committee Movement. CPGB (1920) Age: 35. Enlistment Address. c/o 16 King Street, Covent Garden, London. (CPGB HQ) NUC. Springhall was one of the first senior Party officials sent out to Spain on 16/12/1936 to become, firstly, British Battalion Political Commissar (December 1936-February 1937) and then Assistant Commissar of the entire 15th IB Brigade. Wounded on 20/02/1937 when a bullet passed through his cheek during the battle of Jarama. Recalled to England on 24/03/1937 (HS PF 38764) Picture: Spartacus.
A Comprehensive bio can be found at Graham Stevenson

Frank Ryan: (Proinnsias Ó Riain) born: 11/09/1902, Elton, near Knocklong, County Limerick. IRA East Limerick Brigade, 1921. University College Dublin. Adjutant of IRA Dublin Brigade in 1926. Editor of 'An Phoblacht' (Republican newspaper) Occupation: Journalist. Led a party of Irishmen to Spain on 11/12/1936. Connolly Unit. Wounded at Jarama on 13/2/1937. Seriously wounded in March 1937, he returned home to recover on 9/3/1937 (PF 45668) Returned to Spain but was captured and taken prisoner at Calaceite near Gandesa by Italian Fascists on 31/3/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos. Tortured and ill-treated, with his health failing, Ryan was taken to Germany upon his eventual release on 25/7/1940 (PF 45668) He died in Dresden on 10/06/1944, aged 42. His body was returned to his native land on 22/06/1979, and buried in Glasnevin Cemetry, Dublin. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

Ralph Winston Fox: born 30/3/1900. Halifax. Oxford Graduate. CPGB. (1920) Age: 36. Daily Worker columnist. Enlistment Address: c/o 16 King Street, London (CPGB HQ) Arrived in Spain 3/12/1936. Political Commissar of British No 1. Company, La Marseillaise, French 14th Battalion. Killed in action at Lopera, near the town of Córdoba, on 3/1/1937.

Harry 'Tich' Addley: Folkestone. Sergeant in the British Army during WW1. CPGB. Restaurant owner in Dover with fellow volunteer Arthur 'Babs' Ovenden. Enlistment Address; 1 Dover Street, Folkestone, Kent. Age: 41. Left Folkestone for Boulogne 15/10/1936. (V9. 339a.) Member of the English group belonging to the German Thaelmann Battalion, (12th International Brigade) Killed at Boadilla, 20/12/1936 along with Ray Cox (right) Picture from the Daily Worker

Raymond Arthur Cox: Enlistment Address: 28 Highfield Lane, Southampton. Occupation: Clerk. Age: 22. Clarion Cycling Club. Shop Assistant's Union. YCL. CPGB. Traveled to Spain in October 1936. Member of the English group belonging to the German Thaelmann Battalion, (12th International Brigade) Killed at Boadilla, near Madrid, on 20/12/1936. Death reported in the Daily Worker on 28/12/1936. Picture Alan Lloyd

Peter Kerrigan: born: 26/6/1899. in Hutchestown, Glasgow. Lived at 17 Craigenbay Street, Balornock, Glasgow. Age: 38. Occupation: engineering turner. Served with the Royal Scots from 1918-1920, seeing combat in WW1. Joined the CPGB in 1921. One of the leaders of the Glasgow strike committee during the 1926 general strike. Active in the AEU (Amalgamated Engineering Union) Elected to the Executive of the CPGB in 1927. Attended the Lenin School in Moscow in 1929. Appointed CPGB Scottish Organiser (1930) Kerrigan was asked to take 65 men secretly to Spain via Paris in December 1936. Arrived in Spain: 21/12/1936. Kerrigan then became political commissar for the English-speaking volunteers in the Battalion at Albacete. Involved in the now infamous accidental shooting of the then British Commander Wilfred McCartney. Both men were exchanging handguns, Kerrigan's revolver went off injuring McCartney in the arm. Returned to the UK in March 1937 joining the Daily Worker as a war correspondent. Returned to Spain, reporting from the front line with the British Battalion. Repatriated. Died on 15th December 1977.

Joseph Garber: born: 18/9/1911, Whitechapel. Educated at the Free Jewish School, Spitalfields. Merchant Navy 1928-30. YCL and CPGB (1931) NAFTA (1928) Occupation: Carpenter/Seaman. NSU (National Union Seamen) Joined Seaman's Minority Movement. Unemployed and Blacklisted on 14/11/1930. Age: 25. Enlistment Address: 7 Dunk Street, Whitechapel, London. Arrived in Spain 29/12/1936. Enlisted in Battalion; 1/1/1937. Trained as a machine-gunner. He manned a heavy machine gun with Yank Levy at Jarama where he was wounded in the thigh. OTS at Pozorubio, April 1937 - June 1937. He became an Intelligence officer of the IB. (SIM) Repatriation date unknown.

Ralph Cantor (Cantorovitch): born: 1916, Cheetham Hill. Enlistment Address: 142 Waterloo Road, Manchester. Jewish Lads' Brigade. YCL. (1931) Occupation: Traveller. Arrived in Spain in November 1936, (possible date 27/11/1936) Interpreter for the General Staff at XV IB base. Machine-Gun Unit at Jarama. Killed in action at Mosquito Ridge, Battle of Brunete, July 1937, aged just 21.

Maurice Levine: born 1907, Cheetham, Manchester. 63 Kings Road, Prestwich, Lancashire. Occupation: Clothing Cutter. Age: 29. YHA? T&GWU, entered 1932. CPGB (1932) Arrived in Spain: 27/11/1936. Enlisted in Battalion: 1/12/1936. Member of the British No.1 Company of the La Marseillaise, French 14th Battalion who fought at Lopera in December 1936. In January 1937 they moved to a new front outside Madrid, by now a force of 145 men. By the time they returned to Madrigueras to join up with the new British recruits they were just 45 in number. Formed No.1 Company of the British Battalion. Fought at Jarama and Brunete where he was wounded in the right upper arm. Discharged from hospital and was taken to the American Convalescent Hospital at Saelices. Posted to the British base at Albacete, where he interviewed new recruits coming to Spain from England. He remained doing this work until repatriated in April 1938

Esmond Marcus David Romilly: born 10/06/1918. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War Romilly bicycled to Marseille and joined the International Brigades. Romilly and 15 other Englishmen were attached to the German Thaelmann Battalion (12th International Brigade) Fought in a machine-gun section in the defence of Madrid. By December 1936 all but three of the English group had been killed or seriously wounded. The following month, suffering from dysentery, he was sent home. In February 1937 he returned to Spain as a journalist with the News Chronicle. Romilly wrote 'Boadilla', an account of his experiences in the Spanish Civil War. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WW2. Shot down over the North Sea on 30/11/1941 during a bombing raid over Germany. He was 23.

James William (Joe) Gough: born: 28/01/1911, Quebec, Canada, to British parents. They returned home to live in Luton during Joe's childhood. Occupation: metal finisher. CPGB. Arrived in Spain, October 1936, making his way to Albacete to join up with the German Thaelmann Battalion, (12th International Brigade) At this particular time no English speaking Battalion had been formed. Joe fought at Madrid at the Casa de Campo and University City in November and December of 1936. Listed as killed in action at Boadilla del Monte on 20/12/1936. It was believed he was trying to rescue fellow volunteer Arnold Jeans when he was killed. Both were buried at Fuencarral Cemetery in Madrid. Picture portrait by Frank Casey. info IBMT newsletter, Issue 34

Rupert John Cornford: Born 27/12/1915, Conduit Head, Madingley Road, Cambridge (1933) (PF. 42 262) CPGB. (1933) Age: 21. Cambridge graduate. Cornford reached Barcelona on 8/08/1936 and joined the POUM. Fought on the Aragon front before falling ill and returning home. Recruited 12 Englishmen and returned to Albacete on 13/10/1936. Joined the French Commune de Paris Battalion, (Dumont Battalion) 11th International Brigade. Formed a machine-gun section and took part in the battle for Madrid 07/11/1936. Wounded in the head, but returned to the front line. He was killed at Lopera on 28/12/1936.

Manessah Lesser, aka Sam Russell, Sam Lesser: born 19 /03/1915, Hackney, East London. Occupation: Student, University College London (Egyptology, 1933-36) CPGB. (1934) Age: 21. Enlistment Address: 89 Lauriston Road, London, E9. Sailed from Newhaven to Dieppe. Arrived in Spain; 19/10/1936. Joined the French Commune de Paris Battalion (Dumont Battalion) 11th International Brigade. Action's participated in: Madrid (Casa de Campo and University City) Boadilla del Monte, Cordoba. Seriously wounded at Lopera near Córdoba he returned to London for treatment in February 1937. Returned to Paris working in the IB recruitment office. Unfit for active duty he became a journalist, reporting from Barcelona for the Daily Worker. Died on 2/10/2010.

Frank Moore Graham: born: 14/12/1913, Sunderland. Enlistment Address: 33, Ettick Grove, High Barnes, Sunderland. YCL (1932) CPGB. (1934) Occupation: Student. London School of Economics. National Hunger Marcher (1936) Arrived in Spain 29/12/1936. Enlisted in Battalion 1/1/1937 at Tarazona. Fought at Jarama, Brunete and Villanueva de la Canada. OTS (Officer Training school) at Tarazona de la Mancha. Group Leader, No.1 Company, Section 3. Worked at Brigade HQ as a scout and intelligence officer. He was seriously wounded at the battle of Caspe in March 1938. Frank was hit in the spine and stomach by a stray bullet. Typhoid followed and he left Spain by boat on 28/9/1938. Died on 30/4/2006. RGASPI, Moscow Archives, Fond: 545, Op: 6 Delo:

Bernard MacGregor Walker Knox: born 24/11/1914. Bradford, Yorkshire. 44a. Hackford Road, Brixton (1939) (KV 5 125.) (P.F 220. 483) Graduated St John's College Cambridge. Age: 21. CPGB (1934) Spain 13/10/1936. (John Cornford's group) French Commune de Paris Battalion, (Dumont Battalion) 11th International Brigade. Wounded at Madrid (throat) 11?/12/1936. Emigrated to the States. WW2, OSS. Graduated Harvard (M.A.) and Yale (PhD) Classicist and Author. Died on 22/7/2010.

John (Jack Hugo) Sommerfield: born 25/06/1908, West London. Age: 28. Enlistment Address; c/o Lawrence and Wishart, 2 Parton Street?, London. Arrived in Spain, 13/10/1936 (John Cornford's group) French Commune de Paris Battalion, (Dumont Battalion) 11th International Brigade. Returned to the UK in January 1937.

David MacKenzie: Enlistment Address; c/o 16 King Street, London. (CPGB HQ) Oxford University. (History & Law) Medical Student at Edinburgh University. YCL. CPGB. Age: 20. Arrived in Spain: 9/10/1936. Joined the French Commune de Paris Battalion, (Dumont Battalion) 11th International Brigade. Reported killed in error (25/11/1936) at the University City, Madrid, in the Daily Worker dated 05/12/1936. Returned to UK on 05/01/1937. (V.11 37a PF 45600) Battalion No. 947.

Alexander McDade: born 1905. Enlistment Address:112 Ellismuir (Ellesmere) Street, Glasgow. Age 32. CPGB. TGWU, Hope Street (October, 1929) Occupation: Labourer. Sailed for Spain, Dover to Dunkirk 27/12/1936, arriving 1/1/1937. Political Commissar with the British Battalion. Wounded at Jarama on 16/2/1937.? Alex famously wrote the lyrics to 'Jarama Valley' which was set to the tune of US folk song 'Red River Valley'. Reported killed at Villanueva de la Canada (Brunete) on 6/7/1937.

John Larmour: born 29/04/1910, Belfast. CPGB (1933) Age: 26. Occupation: Merchant Seaman. Enlistment Address: 53 Vanburgh Park, S.E.3. Reported to Albacete (Spain) 18/12/1936. Member of the British No.1 Company, French 14th International Brigade. Wounded at Lopera and Hospitalised. Joined the newly formed British Battalion, fought and was wounded at Jarama. (Feb '37) Repatriated 07/09/1937.

David Crook: born 14/08/1910 in London. enlistment Address: 69 Warrington Crescent, London W9. Education; Cheltenham College. Colombia University (New York) American League Against War and Fascism. YCL (1934) Labour Party (North Paddington) NUC (National Union of Clerks) Part-Time private secretary to Labour MP, John Parker (Romford) Left Dover for Dunkirk 3/1/1937 (V15 455b) Crossed into Spain by train on 02/01/1937. Elected Political representative for 140 British Volunteer's at Figueras. Political Delegate of Lewis-Gun Section at Madrigueras. Contemporaries included Christopher Cauldwell and future Battalion Commander Sam Wild. Group Leader No. 1 Section, No.1 Company.Wounded twice in the thigh at Jarama. Recovered at a Madrid Hospital (approx 7 weeks) Returned to Jarama front on 3/4/1937. At OTS, (Officer Training School) PozoRubio on 28/4/1937. However he was transferred to Madrid on the orders of the Estado Mayor (HQ) Worked as a spy for the Russians in Barcelona, reporting on the POUM and ILP. Trained by one Ramón Mercader (assassin of Trotsky) Repatriated.

Ralph H. Bates: born: 3/11/1899 in Swindon. 38 Quarry Road, Swindon. CPGB. Occupation: Fitter, turner and erector in various Railway workshops. WW1 served as an infantryman in the 16th Queen's Royal West Surreys, achieving the rank of lance corporal. Age: 26. Joined the International Brigades guiding incoming volunteers across the Pyrenees and took part in fighting with the militias. He was quickly made a commissar in the International Brigades, and edited their English-language paper the 'Volunteer For Liberty'. Joined the British Battalion on 12/4/1938. Rifle No. 104544. Winifred, his first wife, worked as a liaison between the British Medical staff in Spain. Died on 26/11/2000 aged 101.

Michael Economides: born: 17/01/1910, Nicosia, Cyprus. Enlistment Address: 42 Berwick Street, London, W.1. CPGB (1932) Traveled to Spain 05/12/1936. Arrived in Spain 11/12/1936. Marseillaise Battalion, 14th International Brigade. Early action's at Lopera and Las Rozas. Joined British Battalion. Political Commissar at Tarazona de La Mancha training base. Held the rank of Captain. Wounded in the leg at Jarama on either 13 or 15/2/1937. Also wounded in the chest during the Ebro Offensive. Repatriated. Died on 25/11/1996. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 177_188010

Johnny Power: born: 9/4/1908, Lugar, Waterford. Enlistment Address; Waterpark Lodge, Newtown Road,Waterford, Ireland. Former Adjutant of the Waterford Battalion IRA. CPGB (1936) Age: 29. UGT. NUGMW (1936) Travelled to Spain on 20/12/1936. (SF.427/UK/1 v.13. 424b) One of the 65 men to travel with Peter Kerrigan. Arrived in Spain; 23/12/1936. Fought for the British Battalion at Jarama, before transferring to the American Lincoln Battalion on 20/1/1937. Promoted to corporal on 4/4/1937, and company political commissar in May. At Brunete he was wounded in the thigh and foot at Mosquito Hill. Fought at Belchite. Appointed Company Political Commissar at Albacete on 11/11/1937. On 17 March 1938 he resumed field service with the British Battalion. Narrowly escaped capture during the ambush at Calaceite on 31/3/1938. Promoted to Sergeant on 27/4/1938. He also fought at Hill 481 in command of No. 2 Company. Promoted to Company Commander on 2/8/1938. Power ended the war with the rank of Captain. Repatriated arriving in Dublin on 10/12/1938, then home to Waterford. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

Archibald Campbell McCaskill Williams: born: 3/10/1904, 90 Percy Road, Southsea, Portsmouth. Enlistment Address: Upper Arundel Street, Portsmouth. Sailed for Dunkirk on 21/12/1936? Arrived in Spain; 1/1/1937. Member of No.2 Machine-Gun Company captured on the second day (13/2/1937) of fighting in the Jarama Valley. POW at Talevera de la Reina. Kept a prison notebook (see Prisoners of war) Repatriated 30/5/1937. My personal thanks to Lisa Croft, grand-daughter of A.C, and his daughter, Rosemary Williams, for their generosity in helping with this image and information.

Cyril Alfred Sexton: Occupation: Shop Assistant/Clerk. Enlistment Address; 97 Benhurst Gardens, Selsdon, Croydon. Occupation: Gardner. Arrived in Spain: 14/1/1937. Member of No. 2 Machine-Gun Company at Jarama. Saw action at Jarama (February 1937) Brunete (July 1937) Aragon (August, September and October) and the Ebro campaign of May, June, July 1938. Positions Held: Peleton leader, Section leader, Chief Clerk of XV Brigade Base. OTS at Pozorubio 16/5/1937-5/7/1937. Confirmed Sergeant on 5/7/1937. Wounded at Jarama on 17/2/1937 (back and shoulder) and during the Ebro campaign on 26/7/1938 (right cheek of face) Many of No.2 machine-gun company were captured on the second day (13/2/1937) at Jarama. Cyril and his machine-gun crew evaded capture as they had been placed out on the left flank to give covering fire. The picture above show's Cyril the day after the operation to remove a bullet from his shoulder area. Taken at Murcia Hospital on 25/2/1937. My personal thanks to Clive Sexton for allowing me to use this photo of his father.

Charles L. Hart: aka 'Yorkie' Age: 25. M&GWU. Enlistment Address; 1 Stanmore Road, Burleigh, Leeds. Arrived in Spain: 14/1/1937. Member of No. 2 Machine-Gun Company at Jarama. He was No. 2 on the gun with Cyril Sexton as No. 1. Escaped capture on the second day of fighting in the Jarama Valley, as their gun crew had been placed on the left flank to provide covering fire for the Company.

Walter Thomas Leo "Wally" Tapsell: born: 19/8/04. Age: 33. Enlistment Address: c/o The Daily Worker, Nelson Place, Cayton Street, London. Married with two children. Occupation: Journalist. NUJ. Next of Kin:(Wife) 5 Globe House, 152 Stonehouse Street, Clapham. Executive member and National Organiser for the YCL Executive Committee of YCL 1928-1929. CPGB. (1927) Executive Committee of CPGB 1926-1929. Studied at the Lenin school in Moscow. Arrived in Spain 1/3/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 10/3/1937. Political Commissar at Albacete. (British base) Actions at Brunete and Teruel. Political Commissar of the British Battalion from 06/11/1937-31/03/1938. Killed in the now infamous ambush by a column of Italian midget tanks and Infantry (Black Arrows Division) at Calaceite on the morning of 31rst March 1938.

William Meredith real name: Ronald Dennison. Enlistment Address: 102 London Road, Glasgow. Age 23. Originally from Northumberland. CPGB. NUGMW. Occupation: Labourer. Dover to Dunkirk 03/01/1937. Arrived in Spain: 14/01/1937. Member of No.2 Company Machine-Gun at Jarama. Wounded in the throat on the 23rd? Promoted to Commander of No 2 Company. Promoted to Lieutenant on 25/6/1937. Killed at Brunete on the evening of July 6th 1937, while helping a wounded fascist he was treacherously shot in the heart.

Ralph Campeau: from London. CPGB. Interpreter. Political Commissar of No.1 Company from January 1937 until 14/02/1937. Died in hospital from wounds sustained at Jarama on 15/02/1937.

Wilfred Jobling: born; 22/7/1909. Enlistment Address: 26 Beech Terrace, Blaydon-on-Tyne. YCL (1927) CPGB. (1927) NUWM (National Unemployed Workers Movement) Age: 27. Married. Trade Union: NUGMW (Shop Steward) Occupation: Labourer. Spent 3 years in Russia. Sentenced to six months imprisonment in 1933 for leading a revolt against the Means Test in Durham. Communist Party organiser for the North East Coast. Marched on the February 1934 Hunger march to London. In 1934 he stood as a Communist Party candidate in the Chopwell ward of the Blaydon UDC. Imprisoned for 'working class activities' later in 1934. Help initiate and organise the Blaydon Spanish Aid Committee. Led the North East marchers to Hyde Park, London, on Sunday 8th November 1936. Left Newhaven for Dieppe on 22/01/1937. (PF HS) Arrived in Spain 27/1/1937. Infantryman. Killed at Jarama on 27/02/1937.

Christopher 'Kit' Conway: born about 1897 in Burncourt, Tipperary. Orphan raised in Clogheen poorhouse. Fought in the Irish War of Independence 1919-21. A Commander in the Irish Republican Army. Traveled to the States. Member of the U.S. National Guard. Enlistment Address: c/o Miss Perkins, Jamestown Cottage, Grand Canal, Inchicore, Dublin. Traveled to Spain in December 1936. No.1 Company Commander from January 1937 until he was killed in action on 12/02/1937, in the Jarama Valley. A memorial cairn stand's there to this day.

Thomas Walter Gregory: born: 12/6/1912, Lincoln. Occupation: Clerk. Nation Union Clerks. CPGB (Secretary Bulwell Branch 1932-1933) Single. Enlistment Address: 13 Ingram Terrace, Bulwell, Nottinghamshire. Arrived in Spain: 23/12/1936. Runner, Section leader and Company Commander. Runner for Bill Briskey's No.3 Company at Jarama. Attended the OTS at Tarazona (Officer Training School) Wounded at Jarama, Villanueva de la Canada and on Hill 481 (26/7/1938) POW at San Pedro de Cardena. Repatriated to the UK. Served with the British Navy during WW2.

Albert Williams: born 1885 in Wales. Occupation: Miner. CPGB. (1922) Age: 41. Enlistment Address: New Park Road, Olton, Birmingham. Married with one child. Attended the International Lenin School (ILS), a training school in Moscow operated by the Communist International. Arrived in Spain on 11/2/1937, and was attached to the Political Commisseriat of the XV Brigade. Later became Political Commissar of the Battalion on the promotion of George Aitken. Chaired the investigation into the actions of No. 4 Company Commander Bert Overton at Jarama (27/4/1937) Returned to the UK after the Brunete offensive. Died 08/12/1958.

William Alexander: born 13/06/1910 Ringwood, Hampshire. Attended Reading University. Occupation: Industrial Chemist. CPGB. Print Workers Union. Married. Arrived in Spain 19/05/1937. Enlisted in the Battalion 22/05/1937. Political Commissar of the Anti-tank Battery. Citied for bravery at Belchite in September 1937. Saw action at Brunete and at Teruel. Battalion Adjutant from 12/11/1937 until December 1937 whereby he took command. 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 (Teruel) Invalided home in July 1938.

George Fletcher: born: 4/9/1904, Manchester. British Army (India) CPGB. CPS (Spain) Age: 33. Single. Enlistment Address; 5 Hayden Avenue, Mosside, Manchester. Arrived in Spain 20/3/1937. Section Commander, Commander of the machine-gun company. Wounded 4 times, the first at Brunete in July '37 where he was evacuated to Huete hospital. Wounded during the Calaceite ambush on 31/3/1938. Fought at Jarama, Brunete, Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Segura de los Banos, Aragon, Belchite, Calaceite and the Ebro. Confirmed Teniente (lieutenant) on 24/11/1937. Promoted to Captain on 27/4/1938. Commanded the Battalion as a replacement Commander at Fuentes de Ebro from 13th Oct 1937 to 6th Nov 1937. Later became Adjutant to the Battalion on 14/8/1938 until it's withdrawal (September 1938) Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 177_188027

Robert Martin Hilliard: born 07/04/1904. Moyeightragh near Killarney, Former Olympic Boxer, Irish Republican, Church of Ireland Minister and communist. The 'fighting pastor'. Enlistment Address: 37 Field Lane, Letchworth, Hertfordshire. Occupation: Journalist. NUJ (1925) Traveled or arrived in Spain sometime in December 1936. Hilliard was badly wounded at Jarama on 14/2/1937. He was transferred to a hospital in Castellon, then to Benicassim on 17/2/1937. He died on 22/2/1937. He was buried in the presence of a delegation from Benicassim hospital. A letter was sent informing Peter Kerrigan of Hilliards death. The letter also stated that Hilliards' personal effects were being sent to him. 1. English Passport 2. CP Party Card 3. Pocket Book along with personal letters and papers. Moscow. 545/6/148. Page 25/27&28. Many thanks to Jim Carmody for this information.

Robert Hunt Cooney: born: 19/11/1907, Sunderland. Moved to Rosemount Viaduct in Aberdeen as a boy. Enlistment Address: 13 Stafford Street. (1938) Occupation: Clerk/Valuator. No More War Movement (1924) YCL (1929-1930) CPGB. Spent 1931-32 in Russia studying at the Lenin Institute. His room-mate was Welshman and future Commissar in the British Battalion Harry Dobson. Age: 28. Bob set off for Spain with fellow Aberdonian John Londragon, but was turned back at Glasgow Communist Party headquarters by Peter Kerrigan. The consensus being that as a leading Comrade, he was more valuable to the cause at home. Eventually Harry Pollitt (CPGB General Secretary) relented and he was on his way to Spain on 2/10/1937. Positions held: Company Commissar, Brigade Adjutant Commissar, Battalion Commissar. XV IB British Battalion Political Commissar from 31/3/1938 (death of W. Tapsell) until the Battalions return. Actions at Teruel, Seguera de los Banos, Caspe, Gandesa and the Ebro Campaign from July to September 1938. Repatriated to UK on 7/12/1938. Served as a gunner in WW2. Continued his fight for social justice in Aberdeen, and also became a popular folk singer. Bob died in August 1984

André Diamant/Diamint: born: 1900, Cairo. Enlistment Address; 17 Antikhane el Masrich, Cairo, Egypt. London/Cairo. Jewish Anglo French Egyptian. Age; 37. Occupation: Clerk. CPF (1935) Arrived in Spain: 9/10/1936. Served with the first British volunteers at Cordoba where he received a slight hand wound. Took command of No1. Company at Jarama after the death of first Kit Conway (Tipperary) then Ken Stalker (Dundee) Wounded in the head at Jarama on 16/02/1937? Treated at La Pasionaria Military hospital. Made Battalion Quartermaster. Sustained a serious leg wound at Brunete (shell splinter in the thigh) which finally resulted in amputation of the limb. Repatriated to France when the Brigade's were disbanded. Member of the French resistance during WW2. Executed by the Gestapo. His diary is kept in the MML archives. Picture: Book of the XV International Brigade.

Christopher Caudwell real name: Christopher St John Sprigg. born 20/10/1907. Enlistment Address; Addacorn, Ruxley Heights, Claygate, Surrey. Sailed for Dieppe on 12/12/1936. CPGB (1929) Arrived in Spain 26/12/1936. Drove an ambulance to Spain. Joined the British Battalion XV International Brigade on 26/12/1936. Trained as a machine-gunner at Albacete before becoming a machine-gun instructor. Member of Bill Briskey's No.3 Company at Jarama. Killed in action on 12/2/1937 at Jarama, manning a machine gun alongside his great friend Clem Beckett who was also killed.

Ronald Malcolm Lorraine Dunbar: born 12/02/1912. Paignton, Devon. OTC at Repton School. (1925-1930) Cambridge graduate (History,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. Wounded in the arm on 18/02/1937. Recovered at various hospital's including Villa Ralph Fox (Benicassim) where he became the Political Responsible. At OTS, (Officer Training School) Pozorubio on 28/4/1937. When the British Anti Tank Battery was first formed in May 1937, Dunbar became the first commanding officer. promoted to Chief of operations and went on to become Chief of Staff of the 15th International Brigade. Promoted to the rank of Major on 17/10/1938. Actions participated in: Jarama, Brunete, Aragon, Teruel, Aragon. Wounded four times, Jarama (18/2/1937) Brunete (23/7/1937) Caspe (March 1938) Calaceite (March 1938) Repatriated. WW2 served with the Royal Artillery, joining in June 1940. Rank: sergeant!

Giles Samuel Bertram Romilly: born 19/10/1916. Age: 21. Enlistment Address: 15 Pimlico Road, London. SW 1. Arrived in Spain: 1/1/1937. Fought at Brunete. He was part of the retreat from the Mosquito Ridge Battle in July 1937 and is rumoured to have suffered from severe shellshock after this. Returned to the UK in September 1937 (PF 43312) died on 2/08/1967

Robert Swinney Elliott: Enlistment Address: 116 Bower Street, Blyth, Northumberland. CPGB (1929) Member of the Blythe Town Council. Re-elected whilst fighting in Spain. Occupation: unemployed miner. Age: 37. Prominent member of the National Unemployed Workers' Movement (NUWM). Arrived in Spain: 7/1/1937. Political Commissar of No. 3 Company from the formation of the Battalion until the two companies were merged together on 13/2/1937. No. 2 Company Political Commissar from 13/2/1937 until his death from a severe head wound at Brunete on 8/7/1937.

John Edward Longstaff: born: 11/12/1917, London, England. Occupation: Carpenter. Enlistment Address; 17, Thorpe Street, Stockton-on-Tees. Labour Party league of Youth. YCL. CPGB. Single. Age: 21. Enlisted in Battalion: 21/5/1938. Member of No. 2 Company. Rifle No. 28382. Scout and runner for Lewis Clive who was killed at Hill 481. Wounded on 22/8/1938 at Hill 666. Action's participated in: Ebro Offensive, Gandesa (Hill 481) Sierra Pandols. Registered as being Present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. Member of the 7th Rifle Brigade in WW2, serving with distinction

William H. Ball: born 1915 in Reading . CPGB (1936) Age: 23. Reading public school graduate. Served in the Military Cadets, passing his rifle shooting qualification with an 'A' grade. Travelled to Spain with Ces Bibby at the beginning of January 1937. Arrived in Spain: 14/1/1937. Private in No 2 Company which was the Battalion's machine gun unit, where he served under Harold Fry. First saw action at Jarama on 12/03/37 but two days later on the 14th February Ball was killed. Standing beside Jock Cunningham a shell burst exploded and tore of Ball's leg. He died as he was being carried away on a stretcher.

Thomas William Paynter: born 26/12//1903, Whitchurch near Cardiff. Occupation: Collier at Coedely Colliery. CPGB (1929). SWMF. NUWM. Age: 34. Studied at the Lenin School in Moscow. Enlistment Address: 164 Kenry Street, Tonypandy. Arrived in Spain: 24/4/1937. Political Commissar. British Battalion base Commissar at Albacete. Repatriated on 3/11/1937. PF. 41265

James Ruskin: born 20/9/1903, PSKOV, Russia. real name: Dovmont Sergeevich Zubchaninov. Married. Occupation; Telephone Engineer. AEU. French CP (1926) CPGB (1932). Linguist speaking English, Russian, French, Spanish and German. Arrived in Spain: 21/1/1937. Worked as an Interpreter and was in command of the Transmissions department laying field telephone lines. Earned a reputation for his coolness under fire. Died in St Albans, March 1990. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:

Eric Whalley: born 1914, George Street, Mansfield. ILP. CPGB. NUWM. Went to Spain in August 1937. Political Commissar in the British Battalion, from 22/09/1937 until 13/10/1937. Killed in action on 13/10/1937 at Fuentes de Ebro. He and Commander Harold Fry were both cut down by machine-gun fire as they left the trenches.

Alexander Muir: Enlistment Address: 35 Holandale Road, West Hampstead, London, N.W. 6. Occupation: Window Cleaner. T&GWU, 1/96. (1936) CPGB. Age: 32. Arrived in Spain 14/12/1936. Killed in action at Jarama on 23/2/1937.

Norman Wilkinson: from Miles Platting, Manchester. Occupation; Bus conductor? YCL. Killed in action February 1937 at Jarama.

W. R. 'Pat' Kenny: from Miles Platting, Manchester. YCL. Died of wounds sustained at Jarama, February 1937.

Charles William Dempsey: born: 7/8/1901, Bristol. Enlistment Address: 117 Mince Road, Bristol. Age: 37. Arrived in Spain: 10/12/1936. Served with the Lincoln Battalion during Jarama and Brunete. Intendencia. Kitchen Responsible. Promoted to Sergeant on 1/9/1938. Repatriated in December 1938 RGASPI. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Alexander James Donaldson: born: 8/11/1908, Leith, Edinburgh. Enlistment Address: 19 Manse Street, Coatbridge, and also 17 Durdyvan Road, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. Branch Secretary of CPGB (1929) Daily Worker functionary. Occupation: Motor driver/Bus driver. Age: 28. TGWU, Glasgow Central Branch, (1935) Employed in Scotland by Glasgow General Omnibus Company and Lanarkshire Tramway Company. At some point he moved to Birmingham, Warwickshire and was employed by the Midland Bus Company. Arrived in Spain: 25 or 26/12/1936. Appointed to the Cadres Office by Peter Kerrigan. Request to go to the front denied by Bill Paynter. Worked in the Brigade Commissariat in Madrid producing pamphlets. Posted to Tarazona in February 1938. Stationed in Barcelona from April 1938. Sent to the 'Special Battalion' of the 15 CE. Assisted Frank Ryan in editing the 'Book of the XV Brigade.' Repatriated on 7/12/1938. RGASPI. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Hugh W. Barker: born 29/11/1914, Manchester. Occupation: Machinist. YCL. CPGB. Enlistment Address: 15 Mary Ellen Street, Manchester. Arrived in Spain 24/11/1936. Member of the Original British No.1 Company. Actions at Cordoba, Las Rozas, Jarama, Brunete, Teruel, Segura de los Banos, Belchite, Ebro. Wounded at Jarama on 22/2/1937. Wounded at Brunete, (between the 6th and 12th July) where he was hit by an explosive bullet to the right shoulder. Repatriated 6/12/1938. RGASPI. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Ernest John Wilson: born: 13/11/1891, London. CPGB. NUGMW. Age: 46. Enlistment Address: 19 Aberfeldy Street, Poplar, Stepney, London. Arrived in Spain 01/12/1936. 1rst Group Artillery, 1rst Battery. 4th Group Artillery. 129th Artillery Division and 15th Artillery Division. Actions present at: Jarama, Teruel and Levante. Rank: Sergeant. Repatriated in February 1939. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Edwin Joseph Bee: born 09/04/1909, Stafford, England. Enlistment Address; 2 Busby's Buildings, Sandon Road Stafford, Birmingham. Occupation: Civil Engineer Architect/Surveyor. Age: 29. CPGB. National Hunger Marches 1929 & 1932. Cable Street veteran (1936) Arrived in Spain 29/12/1936. Enlistment in Battalion 01/01/1937. Chief of XV Brigade Topography. Rank: Lieutenant. Actions present at: Jarama, Brunete, Belchite, Quinto, Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Seguera de los Banos, Belchite, Caspe, Gandesa Ebro. Wounded at Brunete by Avion (Air Attack) and by Shrapnel from Artillery.Treated at Benicassim. Departed 12/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John Dawson Graham: born: 23/5/1897. Occupation: Electrical Worker. Enlistment Address: 39, The Shay, Eastbourne, Darlington. Arrived in Spain: August 1937. Transmissions Unit. Actions present at: Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Seguera de los Banos, Belchite, Hijar, Batea, Mora de Ebro. Citied for bravery at Fuentes de Ebro. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Thomas W. Dolan: Sunderland. Age: 24. CPGB ( 1936) Occupation: Labourer. Arrived in Spain 7/1/1937. Killed in action on 27/2/1937 at Jarama.

Joseph Norman: Enlistment Address: 85 Phoebe Street, Salford, Manchester, Occupation: Engineer. AEU, Salford, 3 (1933) Amateur Boxer. Age: 29. CPGB (1933) Arrived in Spain 13/10/1937. Taken Prisoner in March 1938. Reported missing June 1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena. Picture Courtesy Stuart Walsh and the Working Class Movement Library, Salford, Manchester.

Thomas J. Carter: Hartlepool. Occupation: Labourer. Age: 33. CPGB (1935) Left Dover for Dunkirk 2/1/1937. (V15 455b) Arrived in Spain 7/1/1937. Killed in action on 27/2/1937 at Jarama.

Moishe Davidovitch alias Maurice Davis: 24, Teesdale St, London, E1/ 638, Seven Sisters Rd., Tottenham. Age: 22. YCL (1929) CPGB. Occupation; Merchant Sailor. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk 26/11/1936. (V.10 372a) Arrived in Spain 21/12/1936? Saw action at Lopera and Las Rozas. Leader of the first aid section. Either killed in action on 12/02/1937 at Jarama or died from severe wounds.

Harold Horbury: born: 26/4/1904, Barnsley, England. Known as Harold Aubrey in Spain. Joined the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1926 attaining the rank of Lance Corporal. Occupation: Cinema Operator (Alambra Theatre) MGWU (Municipal & General Workers' Union) Unity Theatre Movement. Enlistment Address: 4 Albion Terrace, Buckley Street, Barnsley. CPGB (1934) Age: 32. Arrived in Spain 11/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 14/1/1937. Infantry and Machine-Guns. Sergeant in charge of cooks at Brigade kitchen. Action's participated in: Jarama, Brunete, Belchite, Aragon, Teruel. Repatriated 09/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Bernard Goldman: born 9/8/1913, Manchester. Enlistment Address; , London. 2 Brewery Street Strangeways, Manchester. Age: 22. YCL (1934) Occupation: Upholsterer. AHU (1931) Traveled from Newhaven to Dieppe on 30/01/1937. Arrived in Spain: 8/2/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 11/2/1937. Company Quartermaster. Machine-Gun Company Commissar from April until July 1937. Member of Major Attlee No.1 Company. Wounded in first weeks of fighting. Repatriated on 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Morris Miller: born Hull 1916. Enlistment Adress: 47 Morpeth Street, Hull. Occupation: Salesman. CPGB YCL. Age: 22. Arrived in Spain on 2/10/1937 and entered the International Brigade (British Battalion) the following week. During the Aragon Retreats he was wounded at Caspe in mid March 1938. Miller was hospitalised, but returned to the Battalion in May 1938. He was named assistant Political Commissar reporting to Battalion Commissar Bob Cooney. In the summer of 1938 the international volunteers were mobilised for the attack over the Ebro. Morris was killed instantly by a shell fragment on Hill 666 in the Sierra Pandols on the Ebro front.

Bernard McKenna: 52 Juniper Street, Hulme, Manchester. Occupation: Textile mill clerk in Cheetham Hill. YCL. Sailed for Dunkirk, 14/02/1937 (vol 29. 574a) Communications operative. Rifleman. Wounded in the foot on his first day of action at Brunete in July 1937. Recovered to fight on the Aragon front, where he was wounded by shrapnel, and suffered shell-shock. He almost died in hospital but recovered to rejoin the Battalion. Taken prisoner during the ambush at Calaceite on 3/3/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena. Eventually released as part of a prisoner exchange scheme in October 1938. Served as a signaler in the RAF during WW2.

Maurice Levitas real name: Moishe Ben Hillel. born 1/02/1917 Warren Street, in the Portobello area of Dublin. Enlistment address; 3 Durward Street, London. Age: 21. Occupation: Upholsterer/Plumbers mate. YCL. CPGB. Arrived in Spain 23/1/1938. Maurice fought at Teruel and Belchite on the Aragon front. Taken prisoner along with Irish republican Frank Ryan at Calaceite, near the town of Gandesa on 31/3/1938. Spent a year in the concentration camp of San Pedro de Cardena, near Burgos, until released on 6/02/1939.

Frederick Gordon Borrino: born: 11/4/1908, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Lancashire. Enlistment Address; 156 Duke Street, Old Trafford, Manchester. Occupation: General Labourer/Propority Repairer. CPGB (Rusholme Branch) T&GW Building Section. Age: 31. Arrived in Spain: 6/4/1938? Joined Battalion on 20/5/1938. Major Attlee No.1 Company. Rifle No. 347958. Wounded on 29/7/1938. Listed present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. Returned December 1938. (v.53 1399b) Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Ernest Walter Purkiss: Enlistment Address: 5 Brightside, Brimsdown, Enfield. Occupation: Engineer/Mechanic. NUSM. Age: 22. CPGB (1936). Arrived 16/2/38. Repatriated 7/12/38. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Clarence Wildsmith: born: 20/4/1905, Barnsley. Enlistment address; 23 Worcester Avenue, Wheatley Park Estate, Doncaster, Yorkshire. CPGB. NUWM (Doncaster) Occupation: Electrician. Enlistment Address: 5 Bradford Row, North Hall Gate, Doncaster. Wife with four children. Age: 32. CPGB. (1935) Left for France 28/01/1938. Arrived in Spain 2/2/1938. 4th Group, 35th Battery, 129th Artillery Division. Action's participated in Teruel, Levante. Repatriated 02/1939. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Walter Levi Togwell: born 18/03/1913, Lancing Street, Euston, London. YCL. (1934) Age: 24, Occupation: Waiter. c/o St Pancras CP, 121 Drummond Street. CPGB. Left Newhaven for Spain 24/04/1937 (vol. 28 708b) Arrived in Spain 05/05/1937. Served at Jarama, Brunete and the Ebro. Rank Lieutenant. Repatriated 07/12/1938. Died in 2000, Borehamwood. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

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 37/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Joseph Henry Latus: born: 4/3/1912, Hull. Enlistment Address; 3 Grosvenor Avenue, Wyndham Street, Hull. Occupation: Trawler's mate. YCL. CPGB (1936) T&GWU. Friend's of the Soviet Union. Hull Socialist Youth Club Member. 3rd Battalion Royal Tank Corp, Machine Gunner on armoured car's and tank's (1928-1930) Arrived in Spain: 29/9/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 2/10/37. Observer. Peleton Leader. OTS at Tarazona from 5/11/1937 until 14/2/1938. Action's participated in: Belchite, Caspe, Calaceite, Gandesa, Ebro Offensive. Wounded in the leg and head (slight) by shrapnel from a shell explosion on 21/8/1938 in an action in the Sierra Pandols. Repatriated in December 1938. Returned to Hull to open a bookshop. He later became one of the directors of Hull FC rugby league team. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Thomas 'Ginger' Benson: born: 27/05/1912. 1 Balmoral Terrace, Hunslet, Leeds. YCL. Occupation: Plasterer. Married. Age: 25. Arrived in Spain: 24/03/1938. Given machine-gun training. Wounded by Moorish sniper at the Ebro. Ankle shattered by a dum-dum bullet. An unknown Canadian surgeon saved his foot from being amputated. Treated at Mataro hospital. Repatriated on 8/12/1938 possibly on a hospital train. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Cyril Frank West: born: 26/09/1907
Hammersmith, London. Enlistment Address: 1 Adelaide Road, Shephards Bush, London, W12. Married with two children. Occupation: Caterer. CPGB (1934) Arrived in Spain 10/9/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 13/10/1937. No.1 Company Political Commissar, November until December 1938. Kitchen Commissar at Huesca, 1938. Wounded in the hand by a mortar shell at Hill 481. POW at Saragossa, San Pedro de Cardena and San Sebastian. Repatriated in March 1939. Served with the British Army during WW2 from 1939-1945. Died 1989.

James Nathaniel Moon: Enlistment Address: Radipole Road, Fulham. Occupation: Laboratory technician at National Institute Of Research into Dairying, Reading. British Labour Party League of Youth. Left for France 25/02/1938, (v. 45. 1179a) crossing the Pyrenees into Spain. Joined the British Battalion at Albacete. Stretcher bearer and machine-gunner. Captured by Italian fascists during the ambush at Calaceite on 31/3/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos, from March 1938 until repatriated on 6/2/1939. Served with the the British Army during WW2 as a dispatch rider in Mandalay, Burma.

Stanley Israel Harrison: (Brentman) Born: 16/04/1917, Walworth London. Family moved to Southsea, and he attended Taunton's School in Southampton for a short time. Single. CPGB (1935) Occupation: Journalist. NUJ. Age: 21. Enlistment Address: 42 Gains? Road, Southsea, Portsmouth. Arrived in Spain 18/04/38. Enlisted in Battalion: 22/4/1938. Stretcher bearer at the Battle of the Ebro. Repatriated 7/12/1938. Died 1985. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Solomon Frankel: born: 31/3/1914. Whitechapel, London. Enlistment address; 26 Osbourne Street, Brick Lane, London. Occupation: Tailor. Single. Age: 26. CPGB (1937) Arrived in Spain 17/12/1937. Enlisted in the Battalion on 20/12/1937 at Tarazona. Machine-Gun Company. Sergeant during the Brunete. campaign. Almost decapitated when a tank shell blew off his cap. Sol took a bullet in his right arm at the Battle of the Ebro. Invalided home in December 1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Julian Heward Bell: born on the 4th February 1908 at 46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, London. Bell left for Spain on 6th June 1937. He became an ambulance driver with the British Medical Aid Unit. Contrary to popular opinion, Julian was not killed outright when a German plane bombed his ambulance whilst he had stopped for repairs. On that day of 18th July 1937 he was taken, seriously wounded, but still alive to El Escorial hospital. There, Dr Reg Saxton was made aware of Julians' plight and gave him a blood transfusion. Both men exchanged conversation before Julian slipped into unconsciousness. His wound was dressed by a surgeon who declared that it was 'impossible to save him'. He died shortly thereafter.

Robert Clarke: born 03/04/1909. YCL. CPGB. NUWM. (National Unemplyed Workers Movement) Occupation: Bricklayer. Enlistment Address: 2 Fairfax Road, Walton, Liverpool. Arrived in Spain 6/8/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 9/8/1937. Action's participated in: Teruel, Segura de Los Baños, Belchite, Ebro. Wounded during the action at Hill 481 and treated at Mataro Hospital. Lost the sight in one eye as a result of the bullet wound. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

James Robert Jump: born: 24/08/1916, Wallasey, Liverpool. 32 Parkside,Wallesy, Cheshire. Joined the CPGB in April 1937. Occupation: Journalist. Left UK for Spain 6/11/1937 (vol.39 1018d) Journeyed to Spain crossing the Pyrenees, arriving in Albacete on 09/11/1937. Stationed at British Battalion HQ in Tarazona de La Mancha. Assigned as an interpreter/clerk and later paymaster. Saw action at the Ebro, Hill 481 and Hill 666 in the Sierra Pandols. Wounded in the hand by shrapnel, which then became infected. Spent three months in Catalonia at the IB hospital at Santa Coloma de Farnes. (registered as being present 14/10/1938) Repatriated December 1938. My thanks to Jim Jump for providing this information about his father. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

James Larkin Jones: Born: 29/03/1913, York Street, Garston, Liverpool. Occupation: Dock Worker. T&GWU (1927) Shop steward. Liverpool Councillor. (Labour Party, 1936) Enlistment Address; 26 Stormont Road, Liverpool 19. Jack briefly joined a UGT unit fighting on the Aragon front before joining up and serving with the British Battalion, XV International Brigade. He was made political commissar of the Major Attlee No. 1 Company. Wounded on Hill 481 and treated at the field hospital at Mora del Ebro. Repatriated due to his wounds 14/09/1938. General Secretary of the T&GWU 1969-1978. Died on 21/4/2009. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

William Cecil 'Ces' Bibby: born: 3/2/1911, Liverpool. 299 Woodchurch Road. Prenton, Birkenhead, Liverpool. Age: 27. Occupation: Electrician. ETU. YCL (Holborn, London, Branch Organiser) CPGB (Birkenhead, October 1936, Branch Committee) Left London and arrived in Spain: 6/4/1938. Joined Battalion on 16/5/1938. Rifle No; 176541. Major Attlee No. 1 company. Wounded at the Ebro on 27/7/1938. Mataro Hospital. Registered as being present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. Repatriated on 07/12/1938. Brother Len was killed at Jarama. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Albert Edward Cole: born: 26/6/1900, Liverpool. Enlistment Address: 52 Copeland Street, Everton, Liverpool. Occupation: Motor driver/Seaman. Age: 39. CPGB (1929) National Union of Seamen. Hunger Marcher (1931) Left in November 1936 to join Republican Government Navy (PF 409020) Arrived in Spain 03/12/1936. member of the Republican fleet from 6/12/1936 until 6/6/1938. Transferred to anti-tanks, 129th Battalion. Held as a prisoner in Valencia. repatriated on 7/12 /1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John 'Jack' Coward; born: 13/6/1905, Liverpool. Enlistment Address: 16 Scargreen Avenue, Liverpool. 'Snowy' Married with three children. Arrived in Spain 3/12/1936. Enlistsed 4/12/1936. Joined the Spanish Republican Navy stationed at Cartagena, serving for 4 months. Transferred to the British Battalion on 18/2/1937. Actions participated in: Jarama (British Battalion, February to April) Sergovia with the XIV Brigade. Brunete (British Battalion, Observations Officer). Cited for Bravery. Returned to the UK on leave 4/9/1937, returning to Spain on 22/11/1937. Officer training school at Tarrazona where later appointed Base Adjutant. No.4 Company. Rank: lieutenant. Coward initially escaped when the British Battalion was ambushed at Calaceite in the early hours of 31/3/1938, but was eventually captured and imprisoned. He was presumed dead but survived the war and returned home in June 1939. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Robert Francis Murray: known as Doherty born: 2/2/1910, Liverpool. Occupation: Foreman at Sand and Gravel Works. Labour Party (Vice Chairman, Brunswick Ward, Liverpool) CPGB. Age: 28. Enlistment Address; 39R Brighton Terrace, Park Place, Liverpool. 8 years British Army and Navy. Invergordon Mutineer? Single. Arrived in Spain 14/4/1938. Member of No. 2 Company. Member of Special Machine-Gun Company, 15th Army Corp. Hospitalised from 24/5/1938-12/6/1938 (Wounds unknown) Transferred to Sanidad on 10/8/1938. Attained Rank of Corporal on 16/9/1938. Saw action during the Ebro Offensive. Returned to the UK in December 1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

William Mayne Thompson: Occupation: Clerk. CPGB. Bootle, Liverpool. Arrived in Spain: 27/09/1937. Member of Major Attlee No.1 Company. Action at Teruel, Seguero de los Banos, Belchite, Caspe, Mora del Ebro (Retreats) Ebro Offensive. Confirmed Sergeant on 30/3/1938. In command of Major Attlee Company First Aid Unit, Ebro Offensive, (Hill 481, 666, Sierra Pandols and Cabals) July-September 1938. Recommended for Bravery at Teruel. Repatriated in December 1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

George 'Barney' Mumford: 7 Hornsby Street, Bootle, Liverpool. CPGB. Occupation: Dock Labourer. T&GWU, No. 3 Branch, Derby Road, Bootle (8/7/1933) Arrived in Spain; 22/2/1937? Member of Anglo-U.S. No. 2 Company, XX (20th) Battalion, 86th Brigade serving on the Cordova front. 35th Division machine-Gun Battalion (25/7/1938) Wounded in July 1938 during the Ebro offensive. Registered as being present at the IB hospital, Santa Coloma de Farnes on 10/7/1938, 31/10/1938 and 14/10/1938. Repatriated and returned to the UK on 7/12/1938.

William Jackson: Member of the Oldham branch of the Young Communist League. Sailed for Dunkirk 4/4/1937. (vol 26 682b) Killed at Gandesa in April 1938.

Harry Roland Heap: aka Harry Rawson. Enlistment Address: 2 Church Street, Oldham. CPGB. (1924) WW1 vet who was awarded the Military medal for gallantry. Occupation: Storeman. T&GWU. Age: 48. Arrived in Spain: 3/12/1936. Member of English No. 1 Company. Killed on 27/12/1936 at Lopera near Cordova.

Kenneth Bradbury: Enlistment Address: 34 Melling Road, Oldham, Lancashire. Occupation: Compositor/Printer. Branch Secretary of Oldham Young Communist League. (1932) Age: 21. sailed for Dunkirk 25/7/1937 (vol 34 856a) Arrived in Spain 2/8/1937. Killed at Teruel on 20/1/1938

Joseph Buckley: Age: 24. Single. Enlistment address; Tophouse, Shaws, Upper Mill, near Oldham. Single. Occupation: Motor driver. Age: 27. 02/12/1937 left for Spain. Motorcyclist. Returned to the UK 1938.

Joseph Maynard Lees: Enlistment Address: 15 Snowden Street, Oldham. Occupation: Cotton piecer/spinner. CPGB (1932) Age: 34. Sailed for Dieppe 19/12/1936. (SF 427 UK1 v13 421d) Arrived in Spain: 22/12/1936. Killed at Brunete in July 1937.

Charles Henry Armitage: Enlistment Address; 764 Oldham Road, Failsworth, Manchester. ILP (Independent Labour Party) Occupation: Mechanic. Left for Spain 06/11/1937. Arrived in Spain; 15/11/1937. Registered as being present at the IB hospital, Santa Coloma de Farnes. (14/10/1938) Returned to the UK on 19/12/1938. (Vol. 39)

Charles Hanson: Fought in Spain, and returned to the UK

Albert Charlesworth: born 1915, in the village of Delph. Occupation: Engineering apprentice in Dobcross/Metal Polisher. Age: 21. ILP. CPGB (1933) Left Dover for Spain in 31/12/1936. One of the group who traveled with Fred Copeman. Arrived in Spain 5/1/1937. No. 4 Company. Battalion postman and runner. Wounded at Jarama on 13/2/1937. Returned to the UK on 16/11/1937. Returned to Spain on 15/1/1938. Repatriated in December 1938. Pilot in the RAF during WW2.

Clifford Woolstonecroft: 7 Martha Ann Street, Oldham, Lancashire. Age: 23. Single. OCSA (1929) CPGB (1935) Arrived in Spain 19/12/1936. Enlisted in Battalion: 22/12/1936. Killed in action at Belchite on 10/03/1938.

Clement Henry Beckett: born at Top of the Meadows, Strinesdale, Oldham in 1906. Occupation: Mechanic. Joined Oldham's Young Communist League in 1924. CPGB. (1926) Age: 36. He became of the the most brilliant speedway riders of his generation, and became know as 'Dare-Devil Beckett'. Enlistment Address; Springfield House, Turf Lane, Higgenshaw, Oldham. Joined the British Battalion on 26/12/1936. Section leader No.4 Company. Contradictory evidence suggest Clem was a member of Bill Briskey's No.3 Company. Killed at Jarama covering the retreat of the British Battalion. Clem, along with Christopher Cauldwell, refused to leave their machine gun position to give covering fire. Both men were killed on 12/02/1937 in the first day of action in the Jarama Valley.

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.

George Steer: born 1900, London. Occupation: Tailor. WW1, British Army. Home: Canada. Married, 3 children. CPC (1933) Arrived in Spain: 8/5/1937 or 14/5/1937. Action's participated in: Brunete, Ebro. Wounded twice, 6/7/1937 and on 21/9/1938. Mackenzie Papineau Battalion. Repatriated.

Edwin Greening: born. 02/08/1910, Glamorgan Street, Aberaman, Aberdare. Unemployed Miner. ILP Guild of Youth. CPGB. (1933) Age: 27. SWMF (1924) Single. Occupation: Canvasser. Enlistment Address: 20 Cardiff Road, Aberdare, South Wales. Arrived in Spain 27/2/1938. Repatriated 7/12/38. British Army Pioneer Corp in WW2. Trained as a Teacher after the War. Died on 9/7/2003. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

William Leakey: Age 23, born Timsbury, Bath. Oldfield Senior school. Joined British Army upon leaving school, and saw service in Egypt. Coldstream Guards 1930-1933. Enlistment Address: 53, Kingsmead Street, Bath. Left for France 1/4/1938 (PF 46613) Wounded at the Ebro and treated at Vic hospital in Barcelona. Repatriated 07/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Joseph Fillingham: Parkhills Road Bury. Worked in H.W. Sly, Jewellers. General and Municipal Workers’ Union. CPGB (1932) National Unemployed Workers’ Movement, League of Nations Union, Bury Co-operative Men’s Union. Enlistment Address: 2 Walker Street, Fishpool, Bury, Lancashire. Occupation: Tinsmith. Age: 29. Arrived in Spain: 27/8/1937. Sergeant of Major Attlee No. 1 Company sometime in 1937. Killed at Teruel on 20/01/1938.

Moses Uaine Stang: born: 9/9/1914. Enlistment Address; 13 Brixton Hill, Lambeth, London, SW 2. Age: 23. YCL. (1933) Occupation: Student, London University (B.A. Degree in German) Single. Arrived in Spain: 14/02/1938. Enlisted in Battalion: 17/3/1938. Machine-Gun Company. Rifle No. 105757. Wounded in the Sierra Pandols on 28/7/1938. Matero Hospital on 3/10/1938 until 18/10/1938. Repatriated on 07/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John Hercules Angus: born: 06/11/1913. 542 High Road, Leytonstone, London. Single. Age: 23. Occupation: Insurance Official. 4 years OTC (Officer Training School) British Army. Labour Party. CPGB. (1937) Arrived in Spain 7/1/37. Enlisted in Battalion 10/01/1937. Quartermaster of Company No. 2. at Jarama. Wounded in right shoulder and arm on 09/07/1937 at Mosquito Ridge, Brunete. Recovered at Murcia Hospital. Cadre work at Tarazona. British Political Commissar at Camp Luckas, Re-Education Camp. Company Commander at the Ebro. Hospitalised at Vic after being wounded on the 4th day of action at Hill 481. (26/7/1938) Recovered at Mataro. Repatriated 07/12/38. WW2, 19th Indian (Dagger) Division Signals, Burma. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Alex Miller Ferguson: Enlistment Address: 19 Firgrove Gardens, Rochdale, Lancashire. Occupation: Blacksmith. T&GWU. Married with one child. Age: 31. CPGB (1925) Arrived in Spain 15/5/1937. Enlisted 18/05/1937. Engineer in Battalion. Wounded in the neck at Brunete. Repatriated 12/1938. possible links to Aberdeen, Scotland. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Andrew Thompson: Enlistment Address: Chapel Entrance, Great Lumley, County Durham. Occupation: Steel Polisher. CPGB (1936) Age: 26. AEU. Arrived in Spain 2/10/1937. Killed at Teruel on 19/01/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Wilfred Winnick: aka Wolf or Wolfie. born 10/12/1907, Stockport, England. Occupation: Clothing Operative. Tailors and Garment Workers Union. YCL. Enlistment Address; 8 Eastham Avenue, Fallowfield, Manchester. CPGB. Arrived in Spain: 1/5/1937. OTS at Pozorubio. Battalion Runner (August 1937) Sanidad (May-August 1938) Actions at Belchite (Quinto) Caspe and the Ebro. Suffered Concussion at Caspe (March 1938) and a shrapnel wound (left arm and elbow) at the Ebro Offensive (August 1938). Hospital's attended: Benicassim and Mataro. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Fredrick P. Gibbs: Enlistment Address: 33 Willesden Lane, Kilburn. Age: 25. Occupation; Restaurant Chef. Single. Arrived in Spain 24/07/1937. Joined Battalion on 1/9/1937. Battalion Cook. Present at Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Belchite, Gandesa, Ebro. Received a certificate for good work in the kitchen and getting food up to the line on time. Certified by Battalion Commander Sam Wild in April 1938. Returned 07/12/1938 on an emergency ticket. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Harry Dobson: born: 9/8/1907, Tonpandy. 75 Maddox Street, Rhondda. Occupation: Miner. Single. SWMF. NUMW. CPGB. (1929) Lenin School Moscow (September 1931-October 1932) where he was room-mate to future British Battalion Commissar, Bob Cooney. Survived the sinking of the Ciudad de Barcelona (torpeoded by an Italian Sub) two miles off the coast of Barcelona on 30/05/1937, to arrive in Spain on 2/6/1937. Political Commissar of the Battalion between 13/10/1937-06/11/1937. OTS at Tarazona. Took over as Commissar of the Major Attlee Company in February 1938. Fought at Brunete (wounded), Quinto, Belchite, Mediana, Huesca, Teruel and Caspe. Brigade Commisseriat. Member of No. 4 company during the attack on Hill 481. Seriously wounded on Hill 481 (Gandesa) he was taken to the hospital in the caves of La Bisbal de Falset. He died the next day on 28/07/1938. Other info states: wounded on 28/7/1938. died in hospital on 31/7/1938.

Lewis Clive: Born 8/9/10. London. Rower, winning a gold medal at the LA Summer Olympics in 1932. Oxford Graduate. Oxford Blue. Socialist, a member of the Labour Party and the Fabian Society. OTC. Occupation: Research Worker. Labour Councillor in South Kensington. Reserve Officer British Army. Age: 27. Enlistment Address: 16 Lloyd Square, London. Arrived in Spain 22/2/1938. Enlisted in Battalion: 25/2/1938. Joined Battalion on 17/3/1938. No. 2 Company. Company Commander in the British Battalion. He was killed in action on 1/8/1938 at Hill 481, Gandesa, during the Battle of Ebro. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

James H. Keogh: born 9/4/1915. Enlistment Address: 105 Wellington Street, Tameside, Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester. Occupation: Apprentice Tailor. CPGB (1937) Age: 22. Left for Spain in April 1937 and survived the sinking of the Ciudad de Barcelona, which was torpedoed by an Italian submarine on Sunday 30th May 1937 just off the coast of Barcelona. Arrived in Spain: 2/6/1937. James died at Calaceite in North East Spain on March 17, 1938. He was 22

Louis Kenton: Born in Stepney, East London in 1908. Arrived in Spain 22/2/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 25/7/1937. Ambulance driver, but he also distributed supplies and took part in evacuating Basque children. Lou returned to England in 1938 to raise money for the Republican Army. Died aged 104 in September 2012.

David Haden Guest: born: 6/1/1911. 26 Charing Cross Road, Flat 12a, London W. C. 1. Cambridge Graduate. (Mathematics, Philosphy and Economics) NUS. Single. YCL (Organiser S.W. London) Lecturer at Marx House. CPGB. Occupation: Teacher. (Lecturer in Mathematics, Cambridge University) Age: 27. Arrived in Spain from Southampton. Arrived in Spain: 29/3/1938. Joined Battalion in May 1938. No. 2 Company Observer. Action's participated in: Ebro Offensive. Killed by a sniper's bullet at Hill 481 on 26/7/1938. Sister Angela was a nurse in Spain. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 177-188089

Frank Knowles Girling: Born 21/06/1917 in Northumberland. YCL and CPGB. Quaker. Cambridge graduate. Arrived in Spain 10/10/1937. Served as a translator for Radio Barcelona. Non-Combatant. Returned sometime in 1938. Died on 2/3/2004. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Roy Theodore Watts: Born in 1914, Age: 24. Occupation; Co-op Salesman. 21 Daneshill Road, Newfoundpool, Leicester. YCL. (1932) Spain 14/02/1938. Machine Gun Company of the XV International Brigade. Also Communications Unit. Killed during the final three days of combat, 21-23rd September, during the Battle of Ebro.

Ivor Rae Hickman: born 08/10/1914 in Southampton. 24a Gordon Avenue. Age: 23. Enlistment address: c/o Mrs MacArthur Foxcole? Street, Petersfield, Hampshire. Cambridge University OTC (Artillery advanced examination) Occupation: Mathamatical Engineer. Married. CPGB (1936) Arrived in Spain: 14/10/1937. Enlisted in Battalion:17/10/1937. No.2 Company, No. 3 section, No. 3 group. Chief of Observers for the British Battalion. Killed during the final hours of combat in the Sierra Cabals, Battle of the Ebro on 23/09/1938

Ivor Rae Hickman is the subject of a very fine book by author John L. Wainwright. The Last to Fall pieces together the life of Ivor using previously unseen letters.

John 'Jack'Nalty: born: 8/9/1902, Ballygar, County Galway, Ireland. Family moving to Dublin when aged six. Enlistment Address; 1Merville Villas, Convent Road, Dublin. Joined the Fianna in 1917 aged 16. Occupation: Yard Foreman, Oil Works. ITGWU (Shop Steward) Joined the IRA (1919) and was a member of C Company, No. 1 Battalion, Dublin Brigade. Arrested and interred in the Curragh, March 1923 until November of that same year. CPI (1933) IRC (Irish Republican Congress, 1934) One of a group which left Dublin for Spain on Friday 11/12/1936 led by Frank Ryan. Although personal bio states he and six others arrived on 8/12/1936. Trained at Madrigueras, near Albacete. Member of original No.1 Company. Fought at the village of Lopera (Cordoba) going into action on 27/12/1936. 1936. Received three bullet wounds from a machine-gun on 28/12/1936 at Villa del Rio, which resulted in a three month stay in hospital. OTS at Pozorubio on 28/4/1937. Rejoined Battalion on 10/5/1937. Rifle No: 5311. Machine Gun Company. Rank: Sergeant. On leave home and returned to Spain leaving for France on 26/3/1938 (V46 1224a) and arrived on 10/04/1938 with Patrick Duff. Jack Nalty was killed on 23/09/1938 on the Ebro front, the British Battalion's last day of action.

George Frederick Green: born 20/8/1904 in Stockport. Enlistment Address: 9 Heathcote Street, London. CPGB (1934) Married with 2 children. Occupation: Musician. Manchester Royal College of Music. Arrived in Spain 23/2/1937. Enlisted 26/2/1937. Came to Spain as an Ambulance driver, then as an administrator at Huete hospital. Transfered to Battalion in April 1938. Wounded (head) at Hill 481. Member of No 2 Company led by Walter Gregory at the Ebro. Rank: Sergeant. In command of a mostly Spanish machine-gun crew in the last action of the British Battalion, September 21-23rd, 1938. Killed near Corbera (Ebro) on the last day of fighting 23/9/1938. The Battalion was stood down on the 24th. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Clifford F. Lacey: born: 23/8/1911. Enlistment Address: 34 Somerset Road, Edmonton, London. N 18. Occupation: Joiner, Carpenter and Shopfitter. Amalgamated Society of Wood-workers. Single. YCL. CPGB (1938) Left for France 26/2/1938 (V45 11) Arrived in Spain 14/3/1938. Machine-Gun Company. Rifle No: 2869. Killed (shot in the head) on 22/09/1938. The Battalion were stood down in the early hours of the 24th Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Liam 'Bill' McGregor: born: 27/8/1914. From Inchicore. Age: 24. CPI. Studied at the Lenin Institute in Moscow. Irish Transport and General Workers' Union. Company Political Commissar. Died fighting on the Ebro Front in the last action of the British battalion on 23/09/1938. (shot in the head) Fellow Dubliner Jack Nalty was also killed in action that day.

Albert George Hobbs: born: 14/3/1917. Enlistment Address; Pleasant View, Dunbury, Essex. Age: 21. Occupation: Motor mechanic. AEU. CPGB (1936) Arrived in Spain 24/3/1938. Member of No.2 Company, 45th Division Artillery Unit. Wounded on 17/8/1938 at Corbera d' Ebre in the Sierra Caballs. Killed at the Ebro on 23/9/1938 during the last day of fighting. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Stuart Arthur Breedon: born: 10/12/1915, South Normanton, Derbyshire. British Army, King's Royal Rifles (3 and half years) Occupation; Sewing Machine Mechanic. Age: 22. Enlistment Address; 17 Montrose Avenue, Burntoak, Edgeware, Middlesex. Left for France 8/4/1938. Joined Battalion on 19/4/1937? Rifle No; 117150. Major Attlee No.1 Company. Killed at Gandesa (Ebro) on 31/7/1938. He was 23 years old. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

David John 'Danny' Gibbons: born: 6/1/1901, Renton, Dumbartonshire. Enlistment Address: Rotherhide, London, also an address at Kings Cross, London. CPGB (Branch Secretary,1932) IRA? Occupation: Salesman. Married. Age: 37. NUGMW Arrived in Spain: 10/12/1936. Action's participated in: Jarama and Calaceite. Wounded at Jarama and recovered at the Hospital Militar in Castellon. Repatriated in May 1937. Returned to Spain (with Battalion on 11/3/1938) but was captured during the ambush at Calaceite on 31/3/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena. Repatriated on 5/2/1939 or 6/2/1939. Brother's Joe ) Mac-Paps) and Thomas (KIA Brunete) also both fought in Spain

William Feeley: Enlistment Address 13 Hammill Street, St Helens, Lancashire. Occupation: Glass Worker. Trade Union; NUGMW. CPGB (1937) Age: 23. Machine gunner. Wounded in the leg at the Ebro on 22/09/1938. Registered as being present at the IB hospital, Santa Coloma de Farnes. (14/10/1938) died 1977.

William Rowe; Enlistment Address: 75 Lancaster Road, North Kensington, London. Occupation: Party Functionary. CPGB. (1929) Trade Union: T&GWU. Age: 31. Arrived in Spain 13/5/1937. Invalided home with TB 19/09/1937. (PF 40395) Settled in Nottingham. WW2, RAF Wireless operator. Died 1948. Thanks to Stuart Walsh and the WCML for this picture

John Howard Bassett: born: 08/09/1914. Enlistment Address: The Close, Barnhill Road, Wembley Park, Middlesex, London. Occupation: Electrical Engineer. CPGB. Age 22. Lfet the UK for Spain on 17/8/1938. Left for base (Figueras or Cambrills?) on 24/8/1938. Joined Battalion 6/9/1938. Major Attlee No. 1 Company. Transferred to Transmissions. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John Sydney Booth: born: 2/6/1910, Ancoats Manchester. Occupation: Overhead crane-driver/Railway Worker. Trade Union: NUR (1933) Age: 28. Married with one child. Enlistment Address: 11 Lytton Street, Beswick, Manchester. CPGB (1933, Clayton Branch) Arrived in Spain 15/3/1938. Joined Battalion on 17/3/1938. Sanidad (Medical Services) Machine-Gun Company. Action's participated in; Calaceite, Gandesa (Retreats) Ebro Offensive. Wounded at the Ebro on 23/9/1938. Present at Vic (Vich) hospital on 14/10/1938. Repatriated 19/12/1938.

David Goodman: born 25/02/1915. Middlesborough. YCL. Enlistment Address: Rockcliffe Road, Middlesborough. Age: 23. Sailed to Spain in January 1938. Arrived in Spain: 23/1/1938. Wounded in the leg by shrapnel at Gandesa. No. 4 Company Commissar. Taken prisoner during the ambush of the British Battalion at Calaceite on 31/3/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos. Manchester Guardian report of 1/9/1938. Name also on official List of POW's. Repatriated in February 1939?

Joseph Albaya: Enlistment Address: 833 Chesterfield Road, Woodseats, Sheffield. Arrived in Spain: 23/12/1936. Repatriated on 10/7/1937.

Anton Miles: born: 29/4/1911, London. Stapelton Villas, Wordsworth Road, London. Enlistment Address: 94 Southwold Road, Clapham, London. Age: 26. Occupation: Laboratory Assistant. Hunger Marcher (1932) Arrived in Spain; 22/11/1937. Sanitario, Medical Supplies. Brigade Machine-Gun Company. Action's participated in: Belchite, Hijar, Caspe, Calaceite, Gandesa, Ebro Offensive. Repatriated on 01/12/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John Scott Peet: born: 27/11/1915, London. Enlistment address: 39 Normenton Road, South Croydon, London. Occupation: Teacher/Journalist. YCL. Age: 22. Machine-Gunner, Researcher and Interpreter. Arrived in Spain 27/09/1937. Stationed at Training base and Hospital from October 1937-February 1938. Research Department of Albacete Post Office form February-March 1938. Joined British Battalion on 12/4/1938 until repatriated. No. 1 Company. Rifle No: 150346. Action's participated in; Ebro Offensive, Hill 481. Wounded in the right ankle on 28/7/1938 or (26/7/1938) or (25/7/1938) during the action on Hill 481. Repatriated 07/12/1938. Joined the Palestine Police in 1939. Became Reuter's Correspondent in Vienna, then Berlin in 1947. Employed by the East German Propaganda Ministry. Died in 1988 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Albert Sines: 67 Bolingbroke Grove. Battersea, SW11. Occupation: Shop Salesman. T&GWU, 1/425 Branch, (June 1936) Married. CPGB. Age: 34. Arrived in Spain 23/12/36. Returned 3/6/37 or 22/10/38. Records also show returned to Spain on 29/3/1938. 8 prior months in Spain. Returned 19/10/1939?. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

George Ernest Tunhill: age 24 from Worksop. Occupation: Driver. CPGB (1936) 03/01/1937 Dover to Dunkirk (V.15 455b) Contrary to above date: Arrived in Spain 1/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 4/1/1937. Killed in action on 20/1/1938 during the battle for Teruel.

James Bentley: Enlistment Address: 4 Derwent Avenue, Courtney Street, Hull. Married with one child. Occupation: Labourer. CPGB (1936) Age: 24. ASLW (Amalgamated Society of Leather Workers?) (1931) Arrived in Spain: 25/2/1938. Killed in action on 31/3/1938 at Calaceite

Robert William Wardle: Enlistment Address: 9 Alexandra Avenue, Hull. Age: 26. Occupation: Dock Labourer. Married. Age: 28. CPGB (1937) NUDAW (National Union of Distributive Allied Workers) Left for Spain 13/02/1938. Arrived in Spain: 25/2/1938. Killed in action on 31/3/1938 at Calaceite. (V. 44 1160c.)

Arthur Francis George Hirst: born: 11/2/1908. Enlistment Address: 66 Conway Street, Hove. Occupation: Taxi-Driver. married with one child. Participated in the Hunger Marches. (1931-1936) CPGB (1935) Arrived in Spain 20/4/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 24/2/37. 35th Division Medical Services. Repatriated on 20/12/38. . Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Charles Boyd: born: 14/3/1920, London. Enlistment Address: 132 Balls Pond Road, Hackney, London. YCL. (1931) CPGB. (1937) Age: 18. Occupation: Cabinet Maker. Left for Spain 6/11/1937. Arrived in Spain 12/11/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 15/11/1937. Anti Aircraft Artillery (10/3/1938) Action's participated in: Ebro Offensive. Repatriated on 7/12/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

William Norris: South Shields. Age: 43. Occupation: Cook/ Steward. NUS. Enlistment Address; 145 South Eldon Street, South Shields, County Durham. Arrived in Spain:17 or 23/01/1938. Tarrazona Base Police from 20/2/1938-2/4/1938. Anti-Area? School at Valencia from 4/4/1938-18/4/1938. Artillery Unit stationed at Almansa from 20/4/1938-20/4/1938? Fortifications Battalion, 45th Division. Transferred to British Battalion after withdrawal from the front. Repatriated with the main body of the British Battalion 12/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Christopher Hamo Thornycroft: born 18/02/1915, Hampstead, North London. Oxford Graduate. Student Leader of CPGB (1935) Age: 21. Occupation: Engineer. Enlistment Address; 'Champions' Offington Drive, Worthing. Arrived in Spain 12/9/1936. Rifleman and armourer with Thaelmann Battalion, 12th International Brigade and as mechanical engineer with British Medical Unit, 35th Division, Spanish Republican Army. Fought at Boadilla. Jarama and Brunete. Contracted typhoid and returned to the UK 20/03/1938. (V45 1214a) died 11/09/2001. My thanks to Valery Rose and Paul Thornycroft.

Griff Campbell Maclaurin: born Aukland. Auckland Grammar officer cadets. Cambridge Graduate. CPGB. Occupation: Teacher/Bookshop owner. In September 1936 asked by CPGB Gen Sec Harry Pollit to join a small group of British volunteers heading for Spain. Member of a Machine gun crew. French Commune de Paris Battalion, (Dumont Battalion Arrived in the University City, Madrdid on 09/11/1936. Killed covering the retreat of a unit in the Casa del Campo around 10/11/1936. Pic courtesy of James McNeish

Costas Christov Lapithiotis: born Cyprus. YCL. CPC (1929) CPGB (1936). Emigrated to London 1935. Occupation: Tailor. Age: 29. Enlistment Address: Morphou, Cyprus (Mother) Arrived in Spain; 10/10/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 13/10/1937. Fought at Belchite on the Aragon front. Also fought with the Lincoln Battalion Greek/Cypriot No 2. company at Alcorsia. Wounded (face) and hospialised at Gandesa. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library: 177_188036

George Norman Drury Fuller: born 1915, Madienhead, Buckinghamshire, England. Age: 20. CPGB. Enlistment Address; 12 Linden Street, Maidenhead. Occupation; Medical student. Sailed for Spain 19/2/1937. Arrived in Spain: 24/2/1937. Transferred from Medical Services to British Battalion 08/05/1938. Company Runner. Killed in action during the last day of fighting on the 23rd of September 1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Clifford James Wattis: Rugby. CPGB (1933) Age: 32. Rank: Staff captain. WW1 Vet, sixteen years service as a regular soldier. Arrived in Spain 23/1/1937. Co-ordinated food and ammunition supplies. Also with Lincoln Battalion.

David Tony Gilbert: born 1914, Poplar. CPGB. Spain 3/1937. Runner. Captured at Calaciete 31/03/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos. Released at part of a prisoner exchange scheme. died 1992.

Clive Ali Chimmo Branson: born 16/05/1910/or 1907 London. Occupation: Artist. ILP. CPGB. Married. Enlistment adress: 4 Glycena Road, London, SW 11. Age: 30. T&GWU. Arrived in Spain 13/01/1938. Enlisted in Battalion 16/01/1938. Captured at Calaciete 31/03/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena. Repatriated to the UK. WW2, Royal Armoured Corp. Tank Commander. Killed on the Arakan Front, Burma 25/02/1944.

Noel Carritt: Boars Hill, London. Brother of Anthony (killed July 1937) Oxford Graduate. Occupation: Teacher. 19 Burlington Mews, Shirley Road, Southampton. Member of district Committee of CPGB (1932) In Paris on way to Spain 25/12/1936 (PF 41552) Arrived Albacete, Spain in December 1936. Trained at Madrigueras. Action at Jarama in February '37. Wounded when a bullet struck his rifle and broke his wrist on 17/02/1937. (above pic) Medic at Brunete and later at Valdegana hospital. Returned to the UK 13/11/1937(PF 41552) Photograph by kind permission of Colin Carritt.

Jason Gurney: born 1910 in South Africa. Occupation: Sculptor. Age: 27. CP Johannesburg (1930-32) OTC. Arrived in Spain, December 1936. Enlisted in Battalion: 4/1/1937. British Battalion Observer at Jarama. Joined the Lincoln Battalion as an Observer. Wounded in right hand. Treated at Villa Paz hospital, Madrid. Repatriated August 1937. Died 1973.

Robert Charles Fields: Enlistment Address: 84a Inwood Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, London. Age: 30. Single. CPGB, Hammersmith Branch, (1936) 5 years Dublin Military School. Occupation: Motor Engineer. Trade Union: T&GWU. Age: 29. Arrived in Spain: 19/4/1938. However reported as having been in Spain around December 1936, driving a camion undertaking relief work. Possibly working for the British Committee for evacuation from Madrid. Returned to the UK on 27/7/1937. Returned to Albacete on 18/4/1938 where he enlisted in the British Battalion. Cabo School, Cocina, Marsa on 17/26/1938. Wounded at the Ebro on either 25/7/1938 or 29/7/1938. Mataro Hospital. Returned to UK, 28/12/1938. (V18 503y)

John Samuel Millie: born: 26/6/1906, Poole, Dorset. Enlistment Address: 159 Packington Street, Islington, London. Also an Address for, 23 College Cross, Islington, N.1. Occupation: Labourer/Railway Worker, Loader, Checker. Trade Union: T&GWU, 1/235 (1/9/1928) Served with the British Army (4 years). Corporal during the Chinese Campaign (1927) Age: 30. Married with one child. CPGB (1936) Arrived in Spain 1/2/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 4/2/1937. Rifle No; 102322. OTS. Rank: Sergeant. CPS (Communist Party of Spain) XV Army Corp Machine-Gun Company. Actions at Jarama and Brunete. Wounded in neck (slight) 5/4/1937. Recovered at Villa Paz Hospital. Repatriated 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Ernest Mahoney: Enlistment Address: 58 Stembridge Road, London. Occupation: Bookseller. CPGB (1936) Age: 31. Single. SAU. Arrived in Spain 19/12/1936. Enlisted in Battalion 22/12/1936. Battalion Postman at Jarama and Brunete. Repatriated 10/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Jack Louis Shaw (Schuckman): born 1917, London. Age: 19. YCL (1936) Enlistment Address: 47 Fieldgate Mansions, Mrydle Street, Whitechapel, London. Occupation: Ship's Steward. Arrived in Spain 21/3/1937. Member of the Merchant Navy he jumped ship at Alicante to join the British Battalion at Albacete. Saw action at Jarama, Villanueva de la Canada and Brunete, where he was a runner for Jock Cunningham. Also part of the first assault at Mosquito Ridge, and also one of the few survivors. Repatriated late 1937 due to his age. WW2 Welsh Fusillers in Burma.

Walter Ryder: born: 27/5/1916, Sheffield. Enlistment Address: 18 Bowood Road, Sheffield. Occupation: Painter. Trade Union: NSP. Single. YCL (1936) Age: 22. Arrived in Spain 7/4/1938. Action's participated in: Ebro Offensive. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Tommy James: born 1898, Rotherham. Occupation; Miner. British Army WW1. CPGB. NUWM. Lenin School Alumni. (1934) Actions at Jarama and Brunete. Political Commissar.

Albert L. McIntosh: born: 28/8/1906, Nantwich, Cheshire. Enlistment Address: 46 Kennet House, Smedley Road, Manchester. Occupation: Clerk. CPGB (1937) Age: 31. NUDAW (National Union of Distributive Allied Workers) Arrived in Spain 6/9/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 9/9/1937. Returned to the UK December in 1938.

Herbert Henry A. Hartwell: born: 16/2/1909, Gosport, Portsmouth. Moved to Normanton, South Derbyshire. Age: 29. married. British Army (4 Years) CPGB. Unemployed miner. Enlistment Address; 148 Market Street, South Normanton, Alfreton, Derbyshire. Arrived in Spain: 7/2/1938. Joined Battalion on 5/2/1938. No.4 Company. Rifle No: 143424. Wounded at Teruel. Stretcher bearer on Hill 481. Present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. Repatriated 7/12/1938. died 1985. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Joseph Moran: Enlistment Address: 17 Kirk Street, Bolton, Lancashire. CPGB (1936) Occupation: Docker. Arrived in Spain: 20/1/1937. Action's participated in; Jarama, Gandesa. Machine Gunner. Base Intendencia (Supply Depot) from July 1937-June 1938. Wounded in the right leg at Gandesa on on 17/8/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Sidney Silvert: born 24/8/1914, Manchester. Enlistment Address: 26a Hewitt Street, Manchester. Single. Occupation: Tailor. Age: 22. Sailed Newhaven to Dieppe 6/2/1937. Arrived in Spain:11/2/1937. Machine gunner. Wounded on 23/2/1937. Repatriated 7/12/1938. (V22 556a) Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Anthony MacLean: Enlistment Address: Eppistone, Nottinghamshire. CPGB (1932) Occupation: Teacher. Arrived in Spain; 27/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 30/5/1937. Non-Combatant. Worked in mail censors office. Repatriated 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Alfred Joseph James Albrighton: born 22/4/1917, Salisbury. Student. Enlistment Address: Fairview, Salisbury. Age: 22. Registered as being present at Albacete on 22/07/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 30/7/1937. Sanidad (medical orderly) Returned to the UK, 26/8/1938 (V 52, 1392a) Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Gustav Robert Daubenspeck: born 10/12/1893, London. Enlistment Address: Lamb Lane Hackney, London, E8. Age: 44. 5 years British Army. CPGB. Occupation: Taxi/Cab-Driver. T&GWU. Arrived in Spain: 20/9/1937. Joined Battalion: 10/10/1937. Confirmed Sergeant on 24/6/1937. Member of No.2 Company. October 1937 until February 1938 posted to Brigade Intendencia (supply depot) Actions participated in: Fuentes de Ebro, Levante, and the Ebro. Wounded in the shoulder at Gandesa during the Ebro offensive on 27/7/1938. Recovered at Mataro hospital.

Myer (Max) Cohen: born: 11/6/1912, Stepney, London. Enlistment Address: . 82 Kyverdale Road, Stoke Newington, London, N16. also 73 Wigan House, Warwick Grove, E5. AEU. CPGB (1934) Arrived in Spain: 1/1/1937. Ambulance driver and mechanic. Adjutant to Harry Evans at the Auto park. WIA at Brunete. Rank: Sergeant. Action's present : Las Rosas, Segovia, Guadalajara, Brunete. Evacuated and then returned to Spain. Diaries in MML

Benjamin Richardson: Enlistment Address: 54 Cumberland Street, Darlington. Occupation: Bricklayer. Labour Party (1931) Age: 30. Single. Left Folkestone for Bolougne 22/1/1937. Arrived in Spain: 27/1/1937. Returned to the UK 9/11/1937. Left for France 28/1/1938, (V 44, 1129a) arriving back in Spain on 7/2/1938. August 1938 reported as having returned, and to be back fighting in Spain. (V19 511j) Member of Major Attlee, No.1 Company. Saw action on Hill 481 and the Sierra Pandols. Cited for bravery. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Herbert H. Riding: Enlistment Address: 10 Westbourne Road, West Hartlepool. Occupation: Chef. Age: 22. Labour Party. Arrived in Spain 2/10/1937. Repatriated to the UK traveling on an emergency certificate on 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Terence Edward Stephens: born: 5/6/1911. Enlistment Address: 63 Richmond Road, St Andrews, Bristol. CPGB (1932) Single. Occupation: radio engineer. Age: 26. Left Victoria Station for Spain 27/11/1937. (vol 40 1050) Arrived in Spain 08/12/1937. Transmissions. Died in a Barcelona hospital from blood poisoning, July 1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Ronald Burgess: Son of Charlotte Haldane. Age: 17. Occupation; Journalist. YCL (1936) Enlistment Address; 54 Fitzroy Road, London, NW 1. In Spain 24/12 1936. (V13 434b) Arrived in Spain; 9/12/1936. Fought at Jarama. October 1937 back in the UK (PF 46229)

John Henderson: born: 8/3/1911, Gateshead. Enlistment Address: 6 Hopper Street, Gateshead. YCL. CPGB. (1932) Age: 25. ASW. Occupation: Joiner/Cabinetmaker. Hunger March, Newcastle to London, September 1932. Lenin School (left December 1932) Labour Party (January 1936) Propagandist. Left for Spain 16/1/1937 in charge of group of 32. Arrived in Spain: 23/1/1937. Battalion Observer. Wounded in arm. Battalion Postman (March 1937) Worked in the International Brigade Censorship Office in Valencia. Repatriated 9/1938 (PF 41272)

Harold Hearn: born: 27/12/1899, London. Blackfriars. Left Dover for Dunkirk 2/1/1937. Arrived in Spain: 27/1/1937. No. 4 Company. Action's participated in: Jarama. Wounded at Jarama. No. 2 Hospital, Alicante. Present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. (V15 456b) Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Richard Hanlon: born: 20/9/1917. Enlistment Address: Prolet House, Sandall Road, Ealing, London. Single. Occupation: Motor driver. Age: 20. LP. Left for France 18/3/1938. Arrived in Spain: 25/3/1938. Wounded during the Ebro Offensive on 2/8/1938. Santa Coloma Hospital. Brigade Auto Park (1/9/1938) Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Anthony Carritt: Boars Hill, Oxford. Occupation: Farm manager. Arrived in Spain with British Medical Unit, July 1937. Served as an Ambulance driver. Badly wounded at Brunete he died in hospital on 13/7/1937. Photograph by kind permission of Colin Carritt

Thomas P. Moore: Ancoats, Manchester. Occupation: Cabinet Maker. Trade Union: NAFTA. CPGB (1934) Single. Enlistment Address: 85 St Stevens Street, Salford, Manchester. Age: 22. Arrived in Spain: 27/7/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 30/7/1937. Machine-Gun School. Scouting Course. Actions at Aragon and Teruel where he was a runner and Scout. No.3 Company. Killed at Teruel on 20/1/1938. Thanks to Stuart Walsh for this picture.

Percy Ludwick: born October 1908 to Russian/Jewish parents in the UK. Arrived in Spain 18/9/1937. Came to Spain from Mexico? (Russia) Age: 29. Served with the British Battalion. Promoted to Brigade Staff as Chief Engineer of the XV International Brigade. Supervised the building of the pontoon bridges across the Ebro, and the monument to fallen Brigadistas in the Sierra Cabals. died 2001.

Nathan Cohen: Enlistment Address; 57 Lewin Road, Streatham, London. SW16. Occupation: Garment worker. Age: 33. CPGB. Spanish Militia in Barcelona. Commander of the Tom Mann Centuria. Transferred to XV Internatiobal Brigade (British Battalion) Wounded and sent home on 9/4/1937. Returned to Spain (21/9/37?) and wounded again. Returned to the UK for treatment. Married Ramona Siles Garcia (right) who had fought alongside him in Spain.

Ramona Siles Garcia: Fought with a women's Militia Unit. Saw action with the Tom Mann Centuria, at both the Majorca and Aragon fronts. Met and married Nat Cohen (left) whom she had fought alongside with in Spain. Ramona and Nat returned to live in St Helier. Picture courtesy Stuart Walsh.

David George: born: 12/11/1908, New Kye, Durham. Enlistment Address: 66 Fourth Street, Quaking House, West Stanley, County Durham. Occupation: Electricians mate. CPGB (1934) ETU Stanley Branch (1936) Age: 25. Arrived in Spain 27/2/1938. No. 4 Company. XV Army Corp Machine-Gun Unit (June 1938) Action's participated in: Aragon, Ebro. Wounded during the Ebro Offensive on 31/7/1938. Repatriated 19/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Edward Smallbone: born: 30/8/1909, Birmingham. Enlistment Address: 99 Midland Road, Cotteridge, Kings Norton, Birmingham. CPGB (1933) Age: 28. Occupation: Labourer. T&GWU Birmingham Area, No. 5. (1928) Left for France: 26/2/1938 (PF 44274) Arrived in Spain: 11/3/1938. No. 2 Company. Rifle No: 25895. Rank: Corporal confirmed on 30/4/1938. Action's participated in. Aragon, Ebro. Wounded by a bomb in the head, face and the left hip, during an attack on Hill 481 on 30/7/1938. Recovered at Vic (Vich) hospital from 10/8/1938-22/10/1938. Repatriated: 13/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Eric Gardner Camp: born: 18/3/1903, London. Occupation: Aircraft Engineer. Married. CPGB (1935) Enlistment Address: 34 Morley Crescent West, Streatfield Road, Stanmore, Middlesex, also 65 The Highway, Stanmore, Middlesex. (CPGB HQ) CPGB (1935) Age: 35. Trade Union: AESD. Arrived in Spain: 14/10/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 17/10/1937. Rifle No: 413272. Hospital in April 1938 for three weeks. Hospital in May 1938 for three weeks. Action's participated in: Belchite, Aragon Retreat's and Ebro Offensive. Observer (Belchite) Quartermaster (Ebro) and Clerk. Repatriated 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Michael Brown: CPGB (1930) Age: 36. Occupation: Electrician. Arrived in Spain: 3/12/1936? Member of No.1 Company, La Marseillaise, French 14th Battalion. Fought at Lopera. Picture courtesy Stuart Walsh

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 British Battalion on 12/04/1938 (ATB disbanded in 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. Repatriated. died in 1981. Alan's ashes were scattered on Hill 481 by his great friend and fellow Anti-Tanker Christopher Smith. This took place during a visit to the battlefields of Spain by surviving members of the British Battalion in 1981. Source: Tamiment XV Brigade Photograph Collection, Tamiment Library:: 177-188054

George Wilding: born: 6/11/1916. Enlistment address; 30 Rawlinson Road, Old Swan, Liverpool. Occupation: Lorry driver. RASC. (Royal Army Service Corp?) ILP (Independent Labour Party) Single. Age: 24. ILP (1933-1936) Arrived in Spain 26/10/1937. Repatriated on 13/8/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Harold Gross: born: 3/4/1915? Enlistment Address; 346 Commercial Road, London. YCL. (1931) Age: 21. Occupation: Tailor. Arrived in Spain: 11/12/1936. Fought on the Cordoba Front, with No. 1 Company. WIA on 12/2/1937 at Jarama. At OTS, (Officer Training School) PozoRubio on 28/4/1937. Killed in action at Brunete 16/7/1937.

Frank Harold Ellis: 20 Baker Street, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. Married. Occupation: Transport. Age: 23. CPGB (1933) Trade Union: NUDAW (1934) Arrived in Spain 5/11/1937. Taken prisoner at Calaceite on 31/3/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos. Repatriated 27/10/1938. WW2 Royal Artillery.

John 'Jack' Edwards: born: 3/1/1914, Wavertree, Liverpool. Address: 24 Walpole Street. YCL (1929) Enlistment Address; 81 Lawdon Road, Liverpool. Left Dover with a small party bound for Spain on 16/1/1937. Member of No. 4 Company which fought at Jarama. Wounded and sent to hospital at Benicassim to recover. Posted to the 1rst Regiment de Tren (Transport) as a mechanic before joining the 129th Artillery Divsion. Saw further action at the Aragon, Teruel and the Ebro. Repatriated in February 1939. died 26/1/2011. My personal thanks to Richard Baxell for this bio. Picture: Graham Stevenson

James Worton: Enlistment Address: 24 Manor Street, Middlesborough. Occupation: Boot repairer. Age: 26. YCL (1936) Arrived in Spain: 23/1/1938. Assume wound as reported present at Vic (Vich) hospital on 14/10/1938.

Henry Charles Hesketh Pearson: Enlistment Address: 88 Abbey Road, London, NW 5. Also an address for: 144 Goldhurst Terrace, NW 6. Occupation: Teacher (Tutor of Classics) Single. CPGB Branch Secretary, (1933) Age: 24. Arrived in Spain: 29/8/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 1/9/1937. No. 2 Machine-Gun Company Political Commissar. Badly wounded in the head outside Gandesa on 31/7/1938. Wound was dressed on the field and he was sent to the evacuation post. Died in hospital of wounds received in August 1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Ernest Osbourne: born: 30/1/1901. Enlsitment Address: 31 Hazelwick Road, Three Bridges, Crawley, Sussex. Occupation: labourer. Age: 37. Alumni of the Lenin School in Moscow. T&GWU, Building Section (1934) Age: 35. Sailed for Dunkirk: 21/12/1936 (PF 40486) Arrived in Spain 3/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 6/1/1937. No. 4 Company. Communist Party responsible in the Brigade Kitchen. Rank: Sergeant (3/11/1938) Platoon Sergeant. Wounded at Hijar during the retreat from Belchite on 11/3/1938. Repatriated.

Charles John Cormack: Enlistment Address: 28 Vansittart Road, Forest Gate, London. E7. Occupation; Motor Driver. Age: 26. Single. CPGB. Arrived in Spain: 27/2/1938. Joined Battalion: 14/4/1938. No.1 Company. Rifle No. 011550. Missing in Fascist territory after Gandesa. Killed at the Ebro 1/8/1938. Elder brother James also enlisted and was repatriated on 7/12/1938.

Arthur Porter: Enlistment Address: 16 Godfrey Avenue, Manchester. Single. Occupation: Sheet Metal Worker. Trade Union: NUDAW. CPGB (1931) Age: 29. Arrived in Spain: 4/2/1937. Killed at his post covering the retreat of his comrades at Jarama on 12/2/1937.

William Banks: Eccles, Manchester. Age: 29. Enlistment Address: 95 Lewis Street, Patricroft, Manchester. Occupation: Metal Engineer. AEU. CPGB (1930) Arrived in Spain: 5/2/1938. Killed in March 1938 on the Aragon front. Death certified on 30/8/1938 Picture courtesy Working Class Movement Library.

Edward John Flanagan alias Andrew Flanagan: born: 1917, Birmingham. Arrived Albacete, Spain on 16/12/1936. Wounded (hand) at Jarama on 27/2/1937. In action at the Aragon front in Feruary 1938. Wounded in the throat at the Ebro (26/7/1938) and taken to Mataro hospital. Repatriated December 1938. My personal thanks to Olga Flanagan for the use of this picture.
Andrew Flanagan and the International Brigades

John Kremner: born: 13/9/1909, Bolton, Lancashire. Enlistment Address: 267 Middleton Road, Manchester. CPGB (1937) Single. Age; 28. Occupation: Salesman. Shop Assistants' Union. Arrived in Spain 13/1/1938. Enlisted in Battalion 18/1/1938. Joined Battalion on 23/2/1938. Battalion Cookhouse. Present at: Belchite, Caspe, Calaceite, Ebro Offensive. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Phillip Goodman: Occupation: Salesman. Enlistment Address: 21 Mabfield Road, Fallowfield, Manchester. Single. CPGB? Arrived in Spain 19/12/1936. Enlisted in Battalion: 22/12/1936. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

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 incumbent, Miles Tomalin. Repatriated on 12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John 'Jack' Joseph Atkinson: Enlistment Address: 2 St Lukes Terrace, St Lukes, Hull. Age: 26. CPGB. Left Newhaven for Dieppe on 6/2/1937. Killed in action in the Jarama Valley 21/2/1937. Pic Daily Worker.

Fredrick Newbury: Enlistment Address: 4 Oldham Street, Salford, Manchester. Married with two children. Labour Party. Age: 36. Occupation: Dyer. Arrived in Spain: 30/1/1937. Machine-Gunner. Killed in action in the Jarama Valley 20/2/1937. Pic Daily Worker.

Clement Broadbent: Enlistment Address: 20 Ravens Lodge Terrace, Dewsbury, Yorkshire. Occupation: Motor Mechanic. Age: 34. Single. Trade Union: T&GWU. Labour Party. Labour Councillor. Arrived in Spain: 13/5/1938. Joined Battalion on 12/5/1938? No. 4 Company. Rifle No: D.G. 7033. Had been wounded and was recovering in a Barcelona hospital, when he was the victim of an accidental shooting. Died in hospital from wounds on 9/9/1938

Walter Greenhalgh: Occupation: Decorator. Enlistment Address: 500 Rochdale Road, Collyhurst,Manchester. YCL (1934) CPGB. Territorial Army. Journeyed to Spain in group led by Irishman Frank Ryan. Arrived in Spain 10/12/1936. Enlisted in Battalion: 13/12/1936. Age: 24. Served with No. 1 Company, Marseillaise Battalion, 14th International Brigade seeing action at Lopera and Laz Rosas where wounded. Recovered in Hospital's at Castellon de la Plana and Benicasim. Member of British Battalion at Jarama. On staff of Political Commisseriat editing 'Our Fight' newspaper. Runner at Brunete. Attached to training base at Tarazona. Appointed Political Commissar of Transport Unit, later promoted to Captain. Action at Teruel. Repatriated. WW2, wireless operator in British Army.

Sam Aarons: born 21/10/1895, Melbourne, Australia. Occupation: Taxi-driver. CPA (Communist Party of Australia, 1930) Led a worker's delegation to the Soviet Union in 1934. Enlistment Address: 12 Mernda Avenue, Glen Huntley, Melbourne, Australia. Arrived in Spain: 15/5/1937 Enlistment in Battalion: 18/5/1937. Rank: Soldado. Originally assigned to the Regiment de Tren as a chofer. Repatriated. 5/8/1938. died in January 1971.

David Buffman: born: 1915. Enlistment Address: 9 Orchard Square, Leeds, Yorkshire. Occupation: Upholsterer. YCL. (1930) Arrived in Spain 18/9/1937. member of No. 1 Coy. Killed in action during the British Battalion's final three days of combat, in the Sierra Cabals during the Ebro offensive, September 21-23, 1938.

Herbert Richard Bryan: born 1908 Timaru, New Zealand. Communist. Enlistment Address: 53 Maitland Street, Dunedin. Single. Occupation: Seaman. Age: 29. Arrived in Spain: 30/3/1938. Fought at the Battle of the Ebro with the British Battalion. Registered as being with Battalion on 16/10/1938.

Arthur Ollerenshaw: born: 13/10/1893, Norwich. Occupation: Musician. Member of Musicians Union. Age: 43. British Army (6 months) Royal Flying Corp for 6 years achieving rank of Lieutenant. Married with one child. CPGB (1933) Enlistment Address: 29 Priory Road, London. Arrived in Spain 21/2/1937. Enlistment in Battalion 24/2/1937. Awarded rank of Lieutenant and was in command of the English section at Madrigueras from 27/2/1937-6/7/1937. Instructor at Pozo-Rubio from 9/7/1937-14/8/1937. XV Brigade Estado Mayor (HQ) from 14/8/1937-18/8/1937. Adjutant to British Battalion on the Aragon Front from 20/8/1937-16/11/1937. On leave to England returning on 9/12/1937. Training Base at Tarazona from 12/12/1937-22/1/1938. Repatriated 15/10/1938.

Joseph Caniffe: Occupation: Horse Driver. Married with one child. CPGB (1937) Enlistment Address: 26 Howarth Street, Waterloo Road, Manchester 8. Age; 30. Arrived in Spain: 14/10/1937. Enlistement in Battalion 17/10/1937. Rank: Soldado. Taken prisoner in the ambush by Italian fascists at Calaceite on the morning of 31/3/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos. Repatriated 7/2/1939

James Allen: Enlistment Address; 103 Boundary Lane, Everton, Liverpool. also: 125 St Domingo Vale, Liverpool. Occupation: Porter. Age: 21. Arrived in Spain: 21/12/1936. Wounded in the hand at Jarama on 14/2/1937, and lost four fingers. Treated at La Pasionaria Hospital, Murcia. Repatriated 12/6/1937.

Bernard Sweeney: Crabtree Road, Pemberton, Wigan. also of the Walgate District of Wigan. Age: 29. Occupation: Former miner employed at Wigan coalfield. Emigrated to Canada in 1928 under a Government scheme. Arrived in Spain from Canada. Saw action on the Aragon Front and at Teruel. Killed at Belchite August/September 1937. Picture Working Class Movement Library

Michael Gallagher: Ashton Street, Scholes, Wigan. Enlistment Address: 8 Greenough Row, Wigan, Lancashire. NUWM. (National Unemployed Workers Movement) Took part in the Hunger Marches to London (1934 & 1936) Arrived in Spain: 14/5/1937. Infantry. Killed in action at Brunete, July 1937. Picture courtesy Working Class Movement Library

Conrad Singer: born in Romania. Former Romanian Army conscript. Galley boy on ship bound for Barcelona. Joined the Spanish Republican Army in Barcelona. Sent to the Aragon front. Alcaniz and Castillo de Cabra. Rank: sergeant. Action at Belchite. Medical discharge due to hand wound. Joined the International Brigades, Anna Pauker Artillery, commanded by German officers. Action at Teruel and the Ebro. Interned at Camp Argeles. Volunteered for the French Army during WW2, and then later joined the British Army.

Charles Francis Riley: born: November 1893, Stepney, London. Royal Artillery (five years) Occupation; Seaman. Emigrated to New Zealand. WW1, Sergeant-Major in the Royal Dragoons seeing service in France in 1915. Severely wounded and invalided home. Arrived in Spain sometime in 1937. Bomb-Instructor in the British Battalion. Wounded in the fighting at the Ebro.

Patrick Curry: 23 Fir Street, Southport, Lancashire. Secretary Bootle Branch of the CPGB. (1936) Age: 23. Occupation: Electrician. ETU. Single. Enlistment Address: 25 Fairlawn Grove, Chiswick, London W4. Arrived in Spain: 19/12//1936. Enlisted in Battalion; 22/12/1936. Wounded at Jarama on 16/2/1937. Treated at Murcia hospital. Auto Park (transport) Appointed as a despatch rider with the Andre Marty Battalion, 14th IB. Taking dispatches between Almansa, Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Repatriated 7/3/1938.

Thomas Spiller: born: 1910, Napier, New Zealand. Cadet School at Trentham. CP. Joined the British Battalion around January 1937. Posted to the Jarama front as part of a ten man machine-gun unit. On the first day, taking up position in the White House eight of his unit were killed by shell fire. Action at Brunete where wounded twice in the leg and once in the shoulder. Recovered in hospital and returned to Australia for a propaganda tour. Embarked on a Nationwide tour on behalf of the Spanish Medical Aid Committee. Official for the Tramways Union for 25 years. died in December 1984.

Eddie Swindells: Enlistment Address: 15 Upton Avenue, Rusholme, Manchester. YCL. CPGB (1931) Age: 24. Occupation: Glassworker. Arrived in Spain: 27/11/1936. Killed in Action, February 1937 in the Jarama Valley.

William Benson: Enlistment Address: 26 St George Street, Eccles, Manchester. Single. Occupation: Engineer. YCL (1929) GPGB (1933) Local Organsiser. Age: 26. Arrived in Spain: 27/11/1936. Enlisted in Battalion: 1/12/1936 (Tarragona) Veteran of Lopera and Las Rozas. Member of Kit Conway's No.1 Company at Jarama. Rank: Sergeant. Engineers.

Richard Hearn: born: 7/8/1909, Leeds. Enlistment Address; 106 Howe Street, Gateshead, County Durham. Arrived in Spain: 5/1/1937. Action's participated in: Jarama, Brunete. In Barcelona on 17/10/1938.

William Tattam: Enlistment Address: 44 Adolphus Street, Whitburn, Durham. CPGB (1932) Age: 29. Occupation: Miner. Trade Union: T&GWU. Sailed for Dunkirk on 21/12/1936. Arrived in Spain: 28/12/1936. Infantry. Killed at Brunete, July 1937.

Joseph Maister: Enlistment Address: 82 Grange Avenue, Leeds. Occupation: Tailor's Cutter. Single. Age: 28. CPGB. NUTGW National Union Trade Garment Workers) Arrived in Spain 29/1/1938. Joined Battalion: 14/3/1938. Member of No.1 Major Attlee Company. Rifle No: 106942. Actions at Gandesa and the Ebro campaign. Reported 'Inutil' at Las Planas(Catalonia) on 29/1/1938.

Arthur Charles Burbidge 'Babs' Ovenden: born: 1899. English member of the German Thaelman Battalion (12th International Brigade) Returned from Spain: 18/10/1936. Died 1982.

Frank Maximilian Welsby: Stoneyholme, Burnley. Emigrated to Canada aged 17 under the Church Army emigration scheme. Home: Winnipeg. Occupation; Farmworker. Age: 24. Arrived in Spain from Canada on 25/8/1937. Fought with the Mackenzie Papineau Battalion. Transmissions. Killed in action at the Ebro (Gandesa) on 29/7/1938.

Clifford Lawther: Hexham. Occupation: Bus Conductor. Age: 24. Arrived in Spain: 7/1/1937. Killed in action 12/2/1937 in the Jarama Valley.

John Fischer: Enlistment Address: 221 Hammersmith Road, London, 6. CPGB (1935) Single. Occupation; Salesman/Clerk. Age: 33. Arrived in Spain: 25/2/1938. Wounded in July 1938.

Alexander Patrick Digges: Dublin. Occupation: Clerk. Labour Party (December 1936) (CPGB (May 1937) Age: 24. Arrived in Spain: 7/4/1938 or 14/4/1938. Repatriated on 19/12/1938. Secretary of IBA, International Brigade Association, prior to Nan Green.

Percy Cohen: Park Lane, N 16. Age: 35. CPGB? Enlistment Address; 83 Cotswold Gardens, London. Left for Spain: 10/2/1937. Arrived in Spain: 17/2/1937. Returned to the UK: 3/11/1937. Left again for Spain; 14/5/1938 or 18/6/1938. Repatriated; 24/8/1938. (V39. 1016c) Member of Spanish Medical Aid Committee. (V52 1396a)

Richard John Mortimer: born: 17/9/1916, Hull, Yorkshire. Occupation: Fishworker. T&GWU. CPGB (1938) Age: 19. Territorial Army. Left for France on 22/4/1938 (V. 48. 1266a.) Rank: Corporal. No. 2 Company. XV Army Corp Machine Gun. In command of Machine-Gun Section. Repatriated. (Picture from Hull Daily Mail 10/12/1938)

Horace Windle: Market Street, South Normanton, Derbyshire. Age: 34. CPGB (1930) Left for France, in charge of a group of recruits on 29/1/1938 (PF. 41907) Arrived in Spain: 7/2/1938. Returned on 28/6/1938.

Stanley Geroge Hornsby: born: 1899, Derby. WW1 Veteran, enlisting at age 17. Served with the Sherwood Foresters. CPGB (1930) Age given variously as /39/40 Address; 6 Malcolm Street, Derby. Occupation: Chemist/Labourer. N.U.G.M.W. (1934) (Derby Evening Telegraph 21/1/1937) 12/12/1936 sailed for Dieppe with convoy of motor lorries bearing red cross sign (PF 43914) Drove an ambulance across to Spain. Arrived in Spain: 18/12/1936/26/12/1936. Machine gunner. Drunk in charge of an the ammunition truck at Jarama, which resulted in a considerable delay in ammunition supplies to the Maxim machine-guns. Put on charges as a result of this action (result unknown) However was wounded at both Jarama and Bruntete. Enlistment Address: 7 Denbeigh Street, Derbyshire. Rank: Sergeant. Repatriated 17/9/1938 (PF 43914)

Jack Albert Howley: Enlistment Address: 7 Blucher Street, Colne. Lancashire. Married, one child. Occupation: Drill Machine Operator. CPGB, Press Agent (1933) Age: 34. Arrived in Spain: 3/9/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 6/9/1937. In IB in Spain 21/10/1937 (SF 460) Saw action at Teruel, Belchite and Caspe. POW at San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos. Transferred to an Italian camp at Palencia before release. Repatriated 27/10/1938 on the SS Worthing.

William McDougall: born: 18/5/1904, Clydebank. Joined British Army (Cameron Highlanders) in 1919. Service in Ireland, Malta and on the North Western Frontier, India. Married, two children. Enlistment Address: 10 Kenmore Street, Shettleston, Glasgow, Nation Union of Boilermakers. T&GWU. CPGB (1936) Age: 32/34. Occupation: labourer. Left Glasgow en-rote for Spain on 21/12/1936. Arrived in Spain; 23/12/1936 or 28/12/1936 (probably enlistment date) Machine-Gunner. Second in command of No. 1 section at Jarama. Rank: Lieutenant. Wounded in the arm at Brunete. Took up duties at the training school, Tarazona, whilst recovering. Adjutant to Chief Instructor, Captain Allan Johnson (Lincoln Battalion, American)

Charles J Innocent: born: 3/4/1903, Southend. T&GWU (1931) ASE (1919-1924) CPGB (1938) Sailed for Spain on 29/7/1937. A member of the SMAU. Drove supplies to different hospitals. Driver of auto-chir. Assisted Chief Transport officer, Harry Evans, as a driver/mechanic until the battle of the Ebro where he reverted to driving an Ambulance. Action's present at: Teruel, Ebro. Repatriated, but continued to to help send SMAU supplies to Barcelona. Some of the above info obtained from the excellent, 'Salud, British Volunteers in the Republican Medical Service during the SCW' Linda Palfreeman.

Herbert Overton: Born: 1905, Stockton on Tees. Former Welsh Guards Officer. CPGB (1936) Age: 32. T&GWU. Enlistment Address; 1 Challoner Court, London. Arrived in Spain: 1/1/1937. No. 4 Company Commander. Wounded in the arm at Jarama. His action's during the first two days of fighting ranged from extreme bravery to a dereliction of duty, (personal opinion) and have been the subject of much speculation. Accused of cowardice and of claiming an officers pay whilst in hospital (amongst other charges) Put on trial and found guilty, sentenced to serve in a labour Battalion. Killed whilst carrying ammunition to a forward position at Brunete in July 1937

John William 'Bosco' Jones: born: circa,1917 in London. NUWM (National Unemployed Workers Movement) Cable Street Veteran. YCL (1932) Single. Age: 21. Left for Spain: 20/12/1936. Arrived in Spain: 29/12/1936. Enlistment Address; 68 Gee Street, Finsbury Park, London. Enlisted in Battalion: 1/1/1937 (Albacete) Member of British Saklatvala No.4 Company at Jarama. Fought at Brunete, (Villenueva de la Canada) in July 1937 and at the Aragon. Wounded. Returned, being issued with an emergency certificate on 25/4/1938.

Charles William West: Mitcham. CPGB (1936) Age: 24. Occupation: Motor Driver. NUDAW. Applied for passport in December 1936. Arrived in Spain: 1/1/1937. Member of No.2 Machine-Gun Company. Taken prisoner on 13/2/1937 at Jarama. Sentenced to death. Released as part of a prisoner exchange. Repatriated 30/5/1937.

Joseph Cryer: born: 2/5/1900, Lancashire. Age: 38. British Army (1918-1919) Liverpool University, Honours Course English Lit. (1919-1922) CPS (1937) Enlistment Address: c/o Mary Cryer, Eye and Ear Hospital, Manhattan, New York. Occupation: Lecturer in English Literature, at the Egyptian State University, Giza, Cairo, Egypt. Single. Arrived in Spain: 23/8/1937. Battalion Paymaster appointed on 30/9/1937. Rank: Sergeant appointed on 24/11/1937

Edward Walker Edwards: born 5/2/02, Wales. Enlistment Address: 335 San Bonnie Brae, Los Angeles, California. Occupation: Seaman/Clerk. Age: 36. Arrived in Spain: 14/1/1937. CPC (Communist Party of Spain) Wounded at Jarama on 14 or 15/2/1937. Served at Brunete, Belchite, Teruel, Aragon and the Ebro campaign. No. 2 Coy Clerk. Appointed Battalion Secretary on 19/7/1937. Citied in Army orders for 'devotion to duty' during Ebro campaign. Repatriated.

Alan Lawson: born 20/6/1912. Occupation: Cinematographer. CPGB (1936) Trade Union: Association of Cine Technicians. Arrived in Spain: January 1938. Film work for propaganda purposes working in the sub-secretariat of the Propaganda Ministerio de Estado (Department of State) as part of Ivor Montagu's film Unit.

Benjamin Glaser: born: 23/5/1910. Enlistment Address: 25 Wellclose Square, London. Age: 27. Occupation: Cabinet Maker. NAFTA. CPGB (1936) member of the Unity Theatre Club, London. Single. Enlisted/Arrived 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 the action with the machine-gun company in the Sierra Cabals.

Cyril Charles Kent: Age: 28. Occupation: Hat Moulder. Single. Enlistment Address: 9 Maygood Street, Islington, London, N1. YCL, CPGB, (1931) Local organiser. Arrived in Spain: 1/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 4/1/1937 (Tarrazona) Political Commissar. Wounded at Jarama. POW. Returned November 1938.

Arthur Llewellyn Bush: Born: 1907. Port Talbot. CPGB (1933) Age: 29. Occupation: Sailor. Enlistment Address; 6 Phoenix Avenue, Port Talbot, Glamorgan. Arrived in Spain: 21/12/1936. Enlisted in Battalion 1/1/1937? Saw action at Jarama. Runner and ammunition loader. Returned to Cardiff as a stowaway aboard the Clintonia on 26/5/1938.

Leslie Charles Gibson: born: 6/9/1913. Enlistment Address: 13 Stepney Road, London. Organiser Hammersmith YCL. (1936-37) T&GWU. Occupation: Milkroundman. Date arrived in Spain: 1/5/1937. Infantry and stretcher-bearer. Actions at Jarama (16/5/1937-16/6/1937) Brunete (6/7/1937-18/7/1937) Aragon (stretcher-bearer) Wounded and posted to kitchen (4/8/1937-16/9/1937) Ebro campaign (6/8/1938-26/8/1938) Twice wounded on 18/7/1937 (Brunete, in the back) and 16/9/1937 (Aragon, leg)

Basil Abrahams (Minsk): born: 3/4/1915, London. 3 Cecil Street, Mile End Road, Stepney, London, E 1. Age: 22. Occupation: Baker. YCL (1934) CPGB (1937) Enlistment Address: 51 Braydon Road, Stamford Hill, Hackney, London. Arrived in Spain; 29/12/1936. No. 2 Machine-Gun Company, Scout. Taken prisoner on 13/2/1937 in the Jarama Valley. Suffered leg wounds during capture. Released on 28/5/1937. Returned to Spain: 22/9/1937. Actions present: at Fuentes de Ebro, Aragon and Gandesa.

Wilfred Cowan: born: 27/10/1917, Stockton on Tees. Arrived in Spain: 24/4/1937. Actions taken part in, Brunete, Teruel, Segerua de los Banos, Aragon, Ebro.

Charles James Framp: born: circa 1896. Enlistment Address: 14 Lindley Street, Ashby, Scunthorpe, Lancashire. Married. Age: 42. British Army (15 years) Occupation: Commercial Traveller. LP. CPGB. Arrived in Spain: 19/4/1938. Joined Battalion on 20/5/1938. Rifle No: 40140. Major Attlee No.1 Company. Activist, Political Delegate, Section Responsible. Cabo School. Rank: Corporal (June 1938) Sergeant (July 1938). Commended for 'conspicuous leadership' by his Company Commander Captain Paddy O'Daire.

Henry Balfour Fraser: born: 13/2/1906, London. Enlistment Address: 30 Hillfields Road, London, E5. YCL. Occupation: Clerk. Arrived in Spain; 27/8/1937. Enlistment in Battalion: 1/9/1937. Machine-Gun Company. Action's participated in: Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Ebro. Registered as being present with Battalion on 19/9/1938.

Esmonde Joseph William Funetes: born: 22/3/1904, London. Occupation: Labourer/Clerk. Traveled to Spain from Montreal, Canada. Arrived in Spain: 29/1/1938. Actions participated in: Gandesa, Calaceite, Ebro Offensive (Sierra Pandols, Cavalls)

James Hoy: born: 26/2/1910, Liverpool. Enlistment Address: ?CPGB, Southwark Branch, agitprop secretary (1934) T&GWU. Sailors and Firemans' Union (Liverpool) British Navy (4 years) Reported to have been of the leader's of the Invergordon Mutiny (13/9/1931) which was in protest of pay cuts to sailors wages. Occupation: Construction Worker. Arrived in Spain: 5/5/1937. John Brown Artillery, Anglo/ American Battalion, 14th Battery, 2nd Group, 11 Regiment, based at Almansa. Battery Scout. Political Delegate. Repatriated.

Ronald George Lane: born: 8/8/1916, London. Enlistment Address: 5 Clairview? Road, Streatham, London, SW 16. Occupation: Scientific Instrument Maker. Age: 22. CPGB (1938) Arrived in Spain: 17/8/1938. Joined Battalion: 6/9/1938. To Hospital, 8/9/1938.

Thomas Reginald Perry Poole: born: 11/9/1910, Southall, Middlesex, England. Occupation: Chofer. T&GWU. CPGB. Enlistment Address: ?. Arrived in Spain: 1/10/1936 or 30/3/1937. British Medical Unit. Sanatario. Ambulance Driver?

Roy Edward Conroy; born: 19/12/1912, London. Home: Vancover, Canada. Occupation: Miner. United Mine Workers of Canada. Arrived/ Departed for Spain: 2/12/1937. Mackenzie Papineau Battalion, XV International Brigade. Action's participated in: Belchite, Caspe, Gandesa, Ebro. Repatriated. WW2, Royal Canadian Air Force.

Ernst Lesser: born: 21/7/1916, London. Enlistment Address; 89 Lauriston Road, London, E9. Labour Party. CPGB (Hackney Branch, 1935) Occupation: Student. Age: 22. Fluent in English, French, German, Spanish, Hebrew. Arrived in Spain; 10 or 12/8/1937. Tarazona Training base from September-November 1937. British Battalion from 20/2/1938-15/8/1938. Brigade Political Commissariat from 15/8/1938-19/10/1938. Rank: Lieutenant. Action's participated in: Belchite to Caspe during the Aragon Retreat's, Ebro Offensive. Wounded by bomb shrapnel in the left thigh at Caspe on 15/3/1938. Brother of Sam Lesser.

Dr Len Crome; born; 14/4/1909, Dvinsk, Russia. Studied in Edinburgh, qualifying as a doctor in 1932. Joined the Scottish Ambulance Unit departing for Spain in the Autumn of 1936. Resigned from the SAU and joined the International Brigade, becoming assistant to Chief Medical Officer of the 35th Division, Domanski Dubois. Promoted to Chief of the Division Medical Service's when Dubois was killed during the battle for the town of Quinto. Wounded at Casa de Campo (Madrid). Len was present at every front the 35th Divison was engaged in from Jarama to the Ebro. Promoted to Head of Medical Service's for the 15th Army Corp on 18/4/1938 Repatriated on 26/9/1938. Joined the CPGB in 1938. RAMC during WW2, serving in Noth Africa and Italy. Awarded the Military Cross for his action's at Monte Casino. Len trained as a pathologist and later in neuropathology. Chairman of the IBA (International Brigades Association) My thanks to Peter Crome for the photograph and information regarding his father.

Vincent Leo Deegan: Age: 30. CPGB (1933) CPGB area organiser around the South Coast of England. NUC (National Union of Congress) Arrived in Spain or joined British Battalion on 24/2/1937. XV Brigade Transmissions Company. Listed as MIA in Aragon. KIA 17th March 1938 at Caspe. Death certificate issued on 30th March 1938. click on photo to enlarge

Arthur Newsome: Sheffield. Killed in action at Lopera on 27th December 1937.

Suggested reading:
'Unlikely Warriors: The British in the Spanish Civil War and the Fight against Fascism' Richard Baxell
'British Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, The British Battalion in the International Brigades, 1936-1939' Richard Baxell
'Crusade in Spain' Jason Gurney
'Britons in Spain, A History of the British Battalion of the XVth International Brigade' William Rust
'At the Margins of Mayhem' Angela Jackson
'They Shall Not Pass' Ben Hughes