Scottish Volunteers

Man's dearest possession is life, and since it is given to him to live but once, he must live so as to feel no torturing regrets. so he can say, - 'All my life and all my strength were given to the finest cause in the world - the liberation of mankind'. Nikolai Ostrovsky

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 whilst stationed in the Caribbean for which he was jailed. CPGB (1931) Hunger marcher during the 1930's. 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 Lopera on 27/12/1936. 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 had been wounded. He and Irishman Frank Ryan were responsible for the 'Great Rally' of around 140 wounded and dispirited Brigaders on the 14th, rallying them back to the front to hold the Madrid to Valencia road. He himself was badly wounded on 14/3/1937. Cunningham was hospitalised until late May 1937. Promoted to Major and a position on Brigade staff. 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.

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

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. Member of CPGB (1920) A member of the Amalgamated Engineers Union which was well know in the N.E. of England. 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 Battalion Commissar Dave Springhall. Took temporary command of the British Battalion at Jarama after Tom Wintringham had been wounded on 13/2/1937. He was relieved by Jock Cunningham later that evening. He later became Political Commissar of the XV Brigade and held this position through the later months at Jarama and the Republican offensive at 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.

Robert Stamp Walker: born: 1/12/1912. Enlistment Address: 6 Wellington Street. Edinburgh, Lothian. Son of famous Scottish footballer, Hearts player, Robert Staig Walker (10/1/1879-28/8/1930.) Served with Scots Guard's 1930-1933. Age: 24. Single. Occupation: Clerk. AEU. Arrived in Spain: 28/3/1937. Joined Battalion on 17/4/1937. Machine-gun company. OTS (Officer Training School) from 1/12/1937- 26/2/1938. Transferred to Special Machine-Gun Company on 9/7/1938. Action's participated in: Jarama, Brunete, Villanueva de La Canada, Mosquito Ridge, Purburell Hill, Ebro. Wounded during the ambush at Calaceite on 31/3/1938. Wounded by shrapnel during the Ebro offensive and treated at Tortosa and the 'Cave' hospitals. Rank: Lieutenant. Invalided home September 1938. RGASPI Moscow Archives, Fond: 545, Op: 6, Delo:

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

George Gowans: Enlistment Address:15 Ayr Road, Old Cumnock, Ayrshire. Labour Party. YCL (1936) Occupation: Postal Worker. Union of Post Office Workers (joined 1933) Age: 22. Single. Arrived in Spain; 2/11/1937. Enlisted in Battalion on 5/11/1937. Rifle No. 25168. Member of a Machine Gun Company. Wounded on 27/7/1938. Rejoined Battalion on 29/8/1938. In Barcelona awaiting repatriation on 29/8/1938. Repatriated on 9/9/1938, recorded as arriving in the UK on 11/9/1938 (V.40 1053a). RGASPI Moscow Archives, Fond: 545, Op: 6, Delo:

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. Died on the 15th December 1977.

William Garry McCartney: born: 1909, 109 Kent Road, Glasgow. Enlistment address, 25 Granville Street, Glasgow, C3. Apprentice Blacksmith while taking part in the General Strike of 1926. Occupation: Journeyman Blacksmith. YCL. Single. Arrived in Spain 27/07/1937 crossing the Pyrenees. Enlisted in Battalion on 30/7/1937. Officer Training School at Pozorubio. Attained rank of Sergeant. Posted to Machine-Gun Company. POW at San Pedro de Cardena. Repatriated 19/02/1939. Battalion No. 1182. Reserved occupation of Blacksmith during WW2. Died in 1985

Hamish Frazer: born: 10/8/1913. Enlistment Address; Preston Schoolhouse, Duns, Berwickshire. Edinburgh Youth and Anti-War Movement. YCL (1933) Age: 24. Applied for passport in December 1936. Sailed Newhaven to Dieppe 19/12/1936. V.13 421d PF. 45233. In Spain he served in various capacities, first as a dispatch rider, then as political commissar and ultimately as an officer of the Secret Police (SIM) Political Commissar to XV Brigade Cavalry. Promoted to Sergeant after the Aragon campaign. Promoted to Lieutenant after Gandesa. Action's participated in; Jarama, Brunete, Quinto, Belchite, Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Seguera de Los Banos, Gandesa, Ebro. Wounded at Seguera de Los Banos on 16/2/1938. Repatriated in September 1938. Battalion No. 532.

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

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

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

Thomas Jarvis? Bloomfield: born 08/04/1914. 27 Glassworks Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife. Served with the Black Watch joining up at age 16. Occupation: Building Worker. Single. Age: 23. CPGB (1937) One of the 65 volunteers who sailed with Peter Kerrigan. Arrived in Spain: 20/12/1936. Captured with the British Battalion machine-gun Company at Jarama on 13/02/1937. POW. Repatriated 30/05/1937. Returned to fight in Spain on 27/2/1938. Battalion No. 740

Donald Renton: Age 25. 7 High Street, Portobello, Lothian. CPGB (1929) National Hunger Marcher (1936) Occupation: Painter. T&GWU. Dover to Dunkirk 20/12/1936. One of the 65 men who travelled with Peter Kerrigan. Arrived in Spain: 23/12/1936. Political Commissar of Harold Fry's machine-gun Company from January until 13/2/1937. Wounded in the legs and taken prisoner at Jarama on 13/2/1937. POW. Repatriated on 30/5/1937 (PF 42226)

William Keegan: Age 27. Enlistment Address: 116 Bredisholm, Baillieston, Glasgow. CPGB, Lanarkshire Organiser. NUWM. Occupation: Miner. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk 20/12/1936 with Peter Kerrigan group. (V.13. 424b.) Lieutenant. Quartermaster? Killed at Villanueva de la Canada on 6/7/1937.

James William McLennan: Age 23. Enlistment Address: 2 Clarence Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire. CPGB. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk on 20/12/1936 with the Peter Kerrigan Group (65 men) (V.13 424b.) Arrived in Spain: 22/12/1936. Fought and wounded at Jarama on 17/2/1937. Treated at La Pasionaria Hospital, Murcia. Arrived back in the UK on 13/6/1937. Battalion No. 774

Thomas Watters: born: 16/2/1913, Alloa. Raised in Tillicoultry. Occupation: Bus Driver. Ambulance driver with the Scottish Ambulance Unit. Left for Spain 17/9/1936. Returned for more supplies and left again for Spain on 19/01/1937. Returned to Scotland in July 1937 and returned to Spain in September of the same year. Finally repatriated in July 1938. Awarded the British Empire Medal for his work in Spain. Died Welwyn Garden City on 25/02/2012

Thomas F. Flynn: Enlistment Address: 9 Redan Street, Calton, Glasgow. Occupation: Draughtsman. AESD. Age: 27. Arrived in Spain November in 1936. Member of the Chapayev Battalion of the XIII International Brigade. Fought at Madrid in late 1936. Killed at Chimorra on either 7/4/1937 or 18/4/1937.

Harold J. Fry: born: 11/2/1907, Kent, England. Enlistment Address: c/o Dalton, 11 Dorset Place, Edinburgh, Lothian. Age 30. Served in the British Army joining in 1925. Served in India and China, attaining the rank of sergeant. CPGB. Edinburgh Branch of the National Boot and Shoe operatives. Arrived in Spain: 22/12/1936. One of the 65 to have traveled to Spain with Peter Kerrigan. Commander of No. 2 Machine-Gun Company which was captured on 13/2/1937 at Jarama. Wounded in the arm during capture. POW. Repatriated May 1937. Returned to Spain and commanded the British Battalion. Killed in action at Fuentes de Ebro, Aragon Front, on 13/10/1937. Battalion no. 249.

Roderick MacFarquhar: born 20/11/1908, Inverness. Occupation: Railway Booking Clerk. Labour Party. (July 1936) Railway Clerks Association. Applied for passport on 12/1/1937. Member of the Scottish Ambulance Unit. Left for Spain: 16/1/1937. Resigned from SAU in March 1937 and joined the Spanish Medical Aid Committee's International Brigade team. Nursed with Norman Bethune's blood transfusion unit at Navasarada in Sierra de Guadarrama. Returned to the UK in October 1938. Served with the Royal Artillery during WW2. Pictured above at the Ebro front in 1938.

Sydney I. Quinn: born: 1/11/11, Lisburn, Ireland. Moved to Glasgow as a young boy. Participated in the Hunger March to London (1932) Member of the Royal Artillery. Left for Spain: 30/11/1936. Member of the original Number One Company, La Marseillaise Battalion, 14th International Brigade. Actions at Lopera and Las Rozas. Joined the British Battalion, XV International Brigade. Fought at Jarama and Brunete. Returned to the UK in October 1937.

James Brown McKissock: born Greenock 6/10/1903. Russell House, Park Street, Motherwell, Lanarkshire. Also of Glasgow and Airdrie. Enlistment Address: 12 Fullerton Street, Motherwell. Age 34. Occupation; Miner. CPGB. Parents James and Mary. Arrived in Spain 7/12/1936. Died from his injuries (fractured skull) when he fell from a Window in the town of Alcala de Henares, North of Madrid. The British Battalion had just come out of the front lines after being in the trenches from the 12th of February 1937. It is believed he died in Hospital at Alcala sometime in April 1937. It also appears he had been injured in a road accident some time before. A Lorry he was traveling in overturned and he and several other British Volunteers were injured, some seriously. Info and picture courtesy of Aileen Farrar

David Anderson: born 30/03/1912. 41 East North Street, Aberdeen. Enlistment address: 121 School Drive. Industrial School from age 12 -16 yrs. Occupation: Chemist/Labourer. Single. Served with the Gordon Highlander's 01/12/1928 until 30/11/1935. Spent three and a half years on the North West Frontier (India) and one and a half years in Palestine. Machine Gunner. CPGB. (1937) Age: 26. Left Aberdeen on 5/12/1936 for London. Sailed for Calais on 13/2/1937. (vol 22, 57) Arrived in Spain 14/02/1937 or 21/2/1937. Enlisted in British Battalion at Tarazona on 24/2/1937. Attended Officers School. Attached to the training base at Tarazona (October 1937) Rank: Cabo. No. 4 Company. Rifle No: 46434. Wounded in the face at Villanueva de la Canada. Fought at Mosquito Hill (Brunete) where he was wounded by an explosive bullet. Fought for a short time with the George Washington Battalion and the Canadian Mac-Paps. Wounded in the arm during the Ebro offensive on 30/7/1938. Left Spain on 3/10/1938. During WW2 he served with first, the Gordon Highlanders, then in 1941 as a weapons instructor for the RAF. Worked as a bricklayer after the war. Died in December 1987.

Ann Cargill Murray (Knight) Born: 10/4/1910, Newton of Tornaveen, Aberdeenshire. Family later moving to Edinburgh. CPGB. Nurse. Sister of George and Tom who both fought in Spain. Volunteered to work in Spain throught the British Medical Aid Association. Enlistment Address; 6 Belgrave Place, Edinburgh. Arrived in Barcelona in September 1936, and was sent to work in the Primere Unidad Ingles Hospital in Granen near Huesca on the Aragon front. After a year she was moved to Huete and appointed head nurse. Annie also worked in Polenino turning a private house into a working hospital. In late May 1938 she was nursing on a hospital train just behind the front lines at the Ebro. Annie said of her time in Spain that is was the "most important thing in my life.'' died 4/11/1996 RGASPI Moscow Archives, Fond: 545, Op: 6, Delo:

John Leith "Hookey" Walker: born: 14/7/1894, Kingskettle, Fife. Enlistment Address; 18 Sommerfield Cottages, Glasgow. British Army (16 years) Occupation: Fitter and Engineer. Labour Party.Trade Union; T&GWU. Age: 44. Arrived in Spain: 6/8/1937. Infantry. Rank: Lieutenant. Kitchen quartermaster famous for his rissoles and ingenuity in supplying the kitchens with food. Actions present at: Quinto, Belchite, Mediana. Wounded in the left leg at Belchite on 14/3/1938. Treated at Tarazona 14/3/1938-17/4/1938. Repatriated 7/12/1938.

Alexander McDade: born 1905. 112 Ellesmere Street, Hamiltonhill, Possilpark, Glasgow. Age 32. CPGB. TGWU. Occupation: Labourer. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk on 27/12/1936, arriving in Spain on 1/1/1937. Company Political Commissar with the British Battalion. Wounded at Jarama on 16/2/1937? Not to be confused with William McDade from Dundee who was wounded on 17/2/1937. 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 Cañada on 6/7/1937.

James Maley: born: 19/2/1908, raised in Stevenson Street, Calton, Glasgow. Enlistment Address: 500 Old Shettleston Road, Glasgow, also formerly of Ellesmere Street. Territorial Army. CPGB (1932) Sailed from Dover to Dunkirk: 3/1/1937. Arrived in Spain sometime in January 1937. Member of Harold Fry's No. 2 Machine-Gun Company captured at Jarama on 13/2/1937. POW at Talavera de la Reina and Salamanca prisons. Sentenced to 20 years imprisonment but was repatriated under a prisoner exchange scheme, arriving back in the UK on 30/5/1937. Served in Burma and India during WW2. Lifelong Glasgow Celtic Supporter. Contributor to the STV Documentary 'The Scots who Fought Franco.' James Maley died on 9/4/2007.

Joseph Holland: born: 26/10/1910, Cambuslang, Glasgow. British Navy (1928-1931) Took part in the Invergordon Mutiny of which Fred Copeman was an organiser. CPGB (1931) Member of the hunger march from Glasgow to London in 1934, also participating in the Scottish Marches. Occupation: Builder. MGWU. Enlistment Address: 302 Cambuslang Road, Eastfield? Arrived in Spain: 26/10/1936. Enlisted with the Chapeyev Battalion (8th Battalion, 13th Brigade) Machine-Gunner and Rifleman. Wounded at Teruel in January 1937. OTS at Tarazona (May 1937) Rank: second lieutenant. Observer with 16th Battalion (British) Repatriation date unknown.

Alexander James Donaldson: born: 8/11/1908, Leith, Edinburgh. Two enlistment Address's: 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 Commisseriat 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. Assissted Frank Ryan in editing the 'Book of the XV Brigade.' Repatriated on 7/12/1938. RGASPI. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

David McKenzie: c/o 16 King Street, London. (CPGB HQ) Oxford University. (History & Law) Medical Student at Edinburgh University. YCL. CPGB. Age: 20. Spain, 09/10/1936. 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.

William McDougall: born: 18/5/1904, Clydebank. Joined British Army (Cameron Highlanders) in 1919. Service in Ireland, Malta and on the North Western Frontier in India. Married, two children. Enlistment Address: 10 Kenmore Street, Shettleston, Glasgow, National 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 (probable enlistment date) Machine-Gun. Second in command of No. 1 section at Jarama. Wounded at Jarama on 15/2/1937? Rank: Lieutenant. Wounded in the arm at Brunete. Took up duties at the Training School in Tarazona whilst recovering. Adjutant to Chief Instructor, Captain Allan Johnson of the Lincoln Battalion.

William John Crawford: Enlistment Address: 247 Bernard Street, Glasgow. Married, 3 children. ex-CPGB (1928-1934) Age: 40. Occupation: Pipe Fitter. NUS. NUWM. Sailed Newhaven to Dieppe on 23/1/1937 (V19 513b) Arrived in Spain: 30/1/1937. Navy? Killed at Jarama on 28/2/1937. Shot while in ambulance. Battalion No. 509.

George Smith: born: 24/11/1911. Enlistment Address: 195 West High Street, Methil, Fife. Occupation: Miner. UMS (1926-1931) Participated in the Miners Strike in 1926. British Army (4 years) Age: 26. Single. Enlisted in Battalion: 27/12/1936.

Thomas F. McWhirter: born: 6/6/1905, Maybole, Ayrshire. Father former professional footballer with Preston North End. Moved to Govan, Glasgow in 1907. CPGB (1921) Organiser of Friends of the Soviet Union for West of Scotland. Local Organiser of CPGB. Age: 32. Enlistment Address: 19 Greenfield Street, Govan, Glasgow, SW 1. Departed for Spain: 1/1/1937. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk: 3/1/1937 (V15 455b) Arrived in Spain: 5/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 7/1/1937. Trained as a Machine Gunner upon arrival at Madrigueras. Rank: Lieutenant. Action at Jarama. Officers School at Pozorubio in April 1937 graduating Sergeant. Action at Brunete where badly wounded (15/7/1937?) Recovered and made base Adjutant at Tarazona. Reported missing in March 1938. Killed during the Aragon retreats in the town of Caspe on 17/3/1938?

Thomas McGuire: Age: 21. 21 Hope Street, Greenock. Occupation: Labourer. YCL (1938) Enlistment Address; 37 Elmcroft Avenue, London Arrived in Spain: 7/3/1938. Enlisted in Battalion: 10/3/1938. Reported as a mistaken KIA at the Ebro on 23/9/1938 but was actually taken prisoner. POW at San Pedro de Cardena. Repatriated on 5/2/1939. Killed while serving with the Paratroop regiment in North Africa during WW2.

James Fisher: Occupation: Blacksmith. Enlistment Address: 15 David Street, Buckhaven, Fife. Age: 37. Arrived in Spain: 7/1/1937. Action at Jarama where wounded. Repatriated: 3/3/1937. Battalion No. 55. Picture courtesy Stuart Walsh

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

Jack Brent aka Geordie Dickie: born 24/02/1912 in Coberg, Ontario in Canada. Came to Whithorn, in Scotland in July of the same year aged six months. Enlistment Address; 25 Isle Street, Whithorn, Wigtonshire. Age: 26. Fought with the Lincoln Battalion at Jarama on 24/2/1937. Seriously wounded on the 27th by machine-gun fire while going to the aid of a wounded comrade. The wounds Jack suffered in Spain were to trouble him for the rest of his life. Jack Brent died in 1955.

James D. 'Happy' Cunningham. born; 8/7/1908, Dumbarton. Enlistment Address: 1 Rosewood Street, Glasgow. Occupation: Boilermaker/Ships Plater at Fairfield Shipyards and Barclay Curle Shipyard in Glasgow. IFTU. Member of Boilermakers, Govan No: 3 Branch. Fraction leader for Boilermakers of Scotland. CPGB (1934, Knightswood Branch) Single. Age: 29. Arrived in Spain: 30/4/1938. Joined the British Battalion on 30/3/1938? Major Attlee No.1 Company. Rifle No: 136511. Killed in the Sierra Pandols on either, 25/08/1938 or 28/8/1938, at an Obsevation Post above Pinell Gorge along with Welshman Tom Howell Jones. Daily Worker reports 'mentioned in dispatches', 30/8/1938.

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

Archibald Thomas Dewar: born: 7/4/1909, 38 Esselmount Avenue, Aberdeen. Married with two children. CPGB. (1934) Occupation: Blacksmith. Enlistment Address: 392 Great Northern Road, Woodside, Aberdeen. Age: 27. Participated in the Hunger Marches during the 1930's. Sailed for Calais on 13/2/1937. Arrived in Spain (Albacete): 21/2/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 24/2/1937. Assigned to Battalion armoury where he worked alongside future Battalion Commander, Sam Wild. On 15th March 1937 No 2 Company, Anglo/American XX (20th) Battalion, 86th Mixta Brigade was formed, Archie joined this company. It was posted to the Pozoblanco sector on the Cordoba front, and then to the nearby Chimorra front in the same sector. Returned to Brigade armoury. Rank: Soldado. An 'ace machine-gunner' according to friend, fellow Aberdonian and Battalion Commissar Bob Cooney. Killed in the Aragon retreats (Calaceite, or Caspe) on 17/3/1938. Reported to have distinguished himself in action. Probably captured and executed by Nationalist troops when they encountered him. Spanish Ministry of War issued death certificate on 30/8/1938. Moscow 545/6/39 p. 111. My personal thanks to Jim Carmody for the Moscow info.

William Meredith: real name; Ronald Dennison: Enlistment Address: 102 London Road, Glasgow. Originally from Northumberland. Age 23. CPGB. Occupation: Labourer. Dover to Dunkirk 03/01/1937. (V.15 455b.) Arrived in Spain:14/01/1937. No. 2 Company Commander at Brunete. Killed at Villanueva de la Canada on 06/07/1937. Treacherously shot in the heart as he went to the aid of a wounded and dying fascist.

Thomas Kane: Enlistment Address: c/o Windle, 17 Thistle St, Gorbals, Glasgow. also, c/o Brennan, 7 Shortwood Dawley. Occupation: Coal Salesman/Farmer. Age: 21. YCL. CPGB? Arrived in Spain: 7/2/1938. Joined Battalion on 1/2/1938? No. 2 Company. Rifle No: 3663. Believed wounded in the Sierra Pandols in August 1938, not found in any hospitals and was eventually found to be POW. Repatriated on 7/12/1938 with the main body of the British Battalion.

John O’Connell: Enlistment Address: 219 Bilsland Drive, Ruchill, Glasgow. Age 25. YCL (1931) Occupation: Builder's Labourer. Arrived in Spain: 7/1/1937. Action's participated in: Jarama, Brunete, Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Belchite, Ebro Offensive. Member of British Battalion No's: 1, 2 and 3 Companies during his time in Spain. John deserted from the British Battalion during the Republican Offensive in July 1937 at Brunete, but returned to the Battalion on 23/9/1937. Injured in an accident at Teruel, date given as 23/1/1938. Returned to the Battalion in March 1938. Served in the Battalion Cook- House, date given as 5/9/1938 (Ebro Front) Repatriated 7/12/1938. It is worth noting that there are two statements which, to my mind, explain this desertion, both written by Brigade Party Committee member, Alex Donaldson. 'His youthfulness, death of personal friends and disgust at leadership during Brunete made him desert which he afterward deeply regretted' and also this, 'For a long time this comrade could not forgive himself for his desertion from Madrid to Albacete and he never seemed to get over a certain shame in this respect. Before that his military and political activity were an example to the older comrades, and it was only under extremely bad conditions that he temporarily failed in his duty'

Thomas Murray: born 2/08/1900, Newton of Tornaveen, Aberdeenshire. Enlistment Address: 6 Belgrove Place, Edinburgh, Lothian. Brother of George and Ann. ILP (1920) CPGB (1931) Edinburgh Labour Councillor. Recruited 12 volunteers and travelled to Spain arriving in January 1938. CPS (Spanish Communist Party.) Draft of 19/4/1938. Machine-Gun Company Political Commissar. MG Company Commander was Irishman Jack Nalty. Took part in the Republican Army's Ebro offensive in July 1938, taking part in action's at Hill 481 and Hill 666. Repatriated 9/9/1938. Known affectionately in later years as 'Machine-Gun Murray'

Robert Inglis Milton: Beechwood, Brodick, Isle of Arran. Occupation: Postal Worker. Union of Post Office Workers. Single. YCL (1936) Age: 20. Arrived in Spain: 2/11/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 5/11/1937. Joined Battalion on 15/5/1938. Rifle No. 101393. Machine-Gun Company. Wounded on 1/8/1938 (wounds unknown) Accidentally wounded by a grenade on 22/6/1938. Present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. Arrived back in UK 25/04/1938 (Secret Service files PF.119721, V.48 1273a) although listed in main Brigade record as returning with main body on 7/12/1938. Signatory in a Brigader's 1938 Spanish-English phrasebook which was sold at Christie's in Nov 2011.

William Cranston: born 7/1/11, Leith, Edinburgh. Enlistment Address: 3 Abbey Street, Edinburgh, Lothian. also: c/o Renton, 7 High Street, Portobello. Age 26, Salesman. (Father) 6 Lochend Park, Edinburgh. Married with one child. CPGB. (1935) Arrived in Spain 15/5/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 18/5/1937. Rank: Cabo (Corporal) Promoted for distinguished work (organisation of ammunition)after the action at Belchite. Anti-Tank Battery quartermaster in charge of ammunition. Action's participated in; Jarama, Brunete, Aragon, Teruel, Ebro. Wounded at Fuentes del Ebro in October 1937. Joined British Battalion on 15/4/1938 after the ATB was disbanded in April 1938. Assistant Quartermaster, British Battalion. Arrived back at Newhaven, UK on 1/12/1938. Battalion No. 1081

John Penman: born: 7/4/1908, Cardenden, Fife. Scotland. Occupation: Coal Miner. Single. YCL (1926-1931) CPGB (1935) Age: 29. Active in the Fife Mineworkers' Reform Union in the 1920's. United Mineworkers of Scotland. Miners' Federation of Great Britain. International Miners' Federation. SDPC. Lived in Moscow, 1931-'36, working in the pits in Donbass. Soviet Miners' Union, Leninsk, West Siberia. Worked as a tunneller on the Moscow underground and at Novosibirsk in Siberia. Enlistment Address: 57 Dundonald, Park, Cardenden, Fife. Departed for Spain: 21/11/1937. Arrived in Spain: 2/12/1937. Battalion of Instruction, Tarazona.No.2 Company Commissar at Calaceite on 31/3/1938, where wounded and captured. Prisoner at San Pedro de Cardena and San Sebastian. Repatriated 7/2/1939. Worked in the pit at Dundonald. Suffered from Brights disease on his return from Spain.

Alexander McKay: born:14/2/1900, Scotland. Enlistment Address; 36 Hill Place, Kirkcaldy, Fife. Age: 30. Married, two children. Occupation: Labourer. CPGB (1936) NUWM (1938) Arrived in Spain: 15/3/1938. Traveled under an assumed name, Arnold Inver? Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:.

George Adamson: Enlistment Address: 32 Marion Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife. Age: 27. Occupation: Miner. Arrived in Spain between 7/04/1938 and 14/4/1938. Enlisted in Battalion: 19/4/1938. Army Corp Machine Guns. Registered as being with the Battalion on 16/10/1938 awaiting repatriation. Repatriated 07/12/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Charles D. Goodfellow: 6 Douglas Park, Bellshill, Lanarkshire. Age: 37. Married with six children. Served with the Gordon Highlanders during WW1. Occupation: Miner. NUWM. (National Unemployed Workers Movement) CPGB (1921) Arrived in Spain: 28/12/1936. No. 1 Company Commander. Battalion Adjutant 13/03/1937 until his death at Brunete on 8/07/1937

Charles McCormick: Enlistment Address; McMenemys Buildings, Glengraig, Fife. Occupation: Miner. Age: 22. Single. Sailed Newhaven to Dieppe 23/1/1937. Arrived in Spain: 30/1/1937. Joined Battalion on 15/2/1937. Rifle No. 19137. Machine-Gun Company. Actions present at: Jarama and Brunete. Arrived back in the UK in December 1937 (V.19 513b.) Battalion No. 532 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Thomas (Jock) Laird Anderson: 38 St Clair Street, Maryhill, Glasgow Member of Maryhill Branch of TGWU. Married with 2 children. Age: 29. Occupation: Rigger. CPGB. (1933) 16/12/1936 applied for passport. Arrived in Spain 29/12/1936. Joined Battalion 01/01/1937. Rank Sergeant. Wounded in an unknown accident. Mataro Hospital on 3/9/1938. Santa Coloma Hospital on 14/10/1938. Returned to UK 07/12/1938 (SF 427/UK/1. v12 415a) Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Edward McCormack: born: 10/5/1913, Glasgow. Enlistment Address; 5 Balcowie Street, Ruchazie, Glasgow. also: 11 Granton Street, Glasgow. Gorbals Branch CPGB (Sept 1936) Branch Secretary, May 1937. Occupation: Clerk. Single. Age: 25. Sailed to Spain on 30/04/1938. Joined Battalion on 19/5/1938. No.2 Company. Rifle No. 113400. Present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. A prisoner in October 1938 according to Secret Service files ( V.48 1284a, PF.46306.54) Repatriated 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Joseph Harkins: born: 9/12/1906. Enlistment Address: 25 Gordon Street, Clydebank. Single. CPGB (1929) Age: 31. AEU (1933-1937) Occupation: Sewing Machine Mechanic, Singer Factory, Clydebank. Arrived in Spain: 11/11/1937. No.2 Coy. Rifle No: 20167. Confirmed Cabo (Corporal) in April 1938. Actions present at: Belchite, Caspe, Calaceite, Gandesa. Killed at Hill 481 (Gandesa) on 26/7/1938. Brother James also served with the British Battalion XV IB, and was repatriated to the UK on 3/5/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Thomas Howie: Enlistment Address; 59 South Glencraig, Lochgelly, Fife. Age 26. NUWM. Single. Sailed Dover-Calais 05/02/1937 (V.21 550a). Arrived in Spain; 11/2/1937. Machine-Gun Company. Actions participated in: Jarama, Brunete. Wounded 29/7/1938. Repatriated 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Walter T. Anderson: Enlistment Address; 28 Redmond Street, Glasgow. (Brother Robert) Age; 29. Single. Occupation: Builders Labourer. Sailed from Dover to Dunkirk on 30/12/1936. Joined Battalion on 1/01/1937. Auto Park: 20/07/1937 until 10/05/1938. Repatriated on 7/12/1938.

Hugh William Kyle: Enlistment Address; 16 Martyr Street, Glasgow, C4. Occupation: Sheet Metal Worker. Single. Age: 21. Single. YCL. Sailed Newhaven to Dieppe 11/02/1938. (V.44 1159c). Arrived in Spain 21/2/1938. Joined Battalion on 4/3/1937. Rifle No. 23763. No. 4 Company. Wounded on 31/7/1938 at the Ebro. Repatriated 7th Dec 1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

William Buchan Dunbar: born: 31/10/05. Enlistment Address: 302 The Hardgate, Aberdeen. Occupation: Hotel Worker. CPGB (May,1937) Single. Age: 32. Sailed to Spain: 12/3/1938. Arrived in Spain: 16/3/1938. Joined Battalion on 23/3/1938. Took part in the Ebro campaign (25/7/1938-24/9/1938) Position in Kitchen and Armoury. Repatriated: 7/12/1938. Ran second-hand bookstores in Aberdeen's New Market before setting up shop in the City's Rosemount area. Keen fan of a local Jazz band and was said to never miss a Sunday lunchtime performance. Died Xmas time 1977 or 1978. My thanks for this local information to Jean Burgoyne. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Thomas McColl; born: 26/4/1907, Glasgow. Enlistment Address: 5 Market Street, Kilsyth, Glasgow. CPGB (7/4/1938) Age: 31. Occupation: General Labourer. NUWM Chairman (National Unemployed Workers Movement) Arrived in Spain: 8/4/1938. Wounded accidentally at the Ebro in July 1938. Hospitalised at Mataro and Benicassim. Repatriated to the UK: 12/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Thomas Patrick Mitchell: Enlistment Address: 9b Gibson Terrace, Edinburgh. Occupation: Boilerman. Single. Age: 20. Arrived in Spain:: 2/10/1937. Machine-Gun Company. In Hospital 14/4/1938-2/5/1938 (wounds or illness unknown) Wounded by grenade explosion on 24/7/1938. Rejoined Battalion on 28/8/1938. Repatriated 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Alfred Lauder Christie: Born: 1/2/1900. Enlistment Address: 43 The Green, Aberdeen. Married with one child. Occupation: Landscape Gardener/Handyman. WW1 Veteran. NUWM. FSU (1/5/1931) YCL. CPGB. (1934) Arrived in Spain: 14/10/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 17/10/1937. Stationed in the Armoury. Promoted to Cabo (Corporal) on 3/4/1938. Action's at: Teruel, Belchite, Caspe, Calaceite, Ebro (Hill 481, 666, Sierra Pandols) Mentioned in Dispatches on 23/9/1938. Repatriated to the UK on 17/10/1938

Frank Sanderson: born: 26/3/1914, Glasgow. Enlistment Address: 241 Mathieson Street, Gorbals, Glasgow. Occupation: Hotel Porter. Age: 21. YCL. Arrived in Spain: 23/1/1938. Member Major Attlee No.1 Company. To Sanidad school on 17/6/1938. Repatriated 7/12/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John Lee Milne: Enlistment Address: c/o Mrs M. Black (Aunt) 77 Whitburn Street, Carntyne, Glasgow. Single. Age: 23. Occupation: Butcher. Member of N.A.D.W. YCL (1930) Arrived in Spain 23/10/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 26/10/1937. No.2 Company. Rifle No. N4201. Repatriated 7th Dec 1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Alexander Menzies: born: 12/4/1906, Bridgeston, Glasgow. Two enlistment addresses; 37 Avonbank, Rutherglen, Glasgow and c/o Stewart, 13 Underwood Road, Paisley. Age: 31. Occupation: Butcher/ Bus Driver. TGWU (joined union in 1931). CPGB (1930) Arrived in Spain: 23/1/1938. 15th Army Corp Machine Gunner. Action's participated in: Teruel, Aragon. Suffered dislocated ankle? Repatriated 7/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Bernard M. Roddy:
Age 30: Enlistment Address: 15 Langside Avenue, Viewpark, Uddingston, Lanarkshire, Glasgow. Occupation: Driver. Arrived in Spain: 28/12/1936. Artillery. Wounded at Jarama on 16/2/1937. Auto Park. Repatriated 28/12/1937. Battalion No. 404. Possibly wrong photo ID. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Thomas John Quinn: born: 21/3/1908. Enlistment Address:144 Westwood Road, Newmains, Lanarkshire. Occupation: Labourer. T&GWU. Single. Age: 30. YCL. Arrived Spain 11/11/1937. Joined Battalion on 20/2/1938. No.2 Company. Rifle No. 147765. Wounded at the Ebro on 31/7/1938.

Percy Thompson: born: 19/3/1909. Enlistment Address: 13 Arndale Street Edinburgh, Lothian. Brother of well known Edinburgh militant, Cecil Thompson. Enlistment Address: 24 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh. YCL. CPGB. Occupation: Plumber. Single. Arrived in Spain 8/8/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 11/8/1937. Repatriated 7/12/1938

John Farmer: born: 21/9/1915, Lochore, Fife. Enlistment Address: 123 Albert Cottage, Prinlaws, Leslie, Fife. Occupation: Miner/Labourer. FMU (Fife Miners Union) British Army (Black Watch) for 3/5 years. CPGB. Sailed from UK 26/3/1938. Arrived in Spain: 1/4/1938. Member of No.4 Company. Actions present at: Sierra Pandols and Cabals (Ebro Offensive) repatriated 7/1938

John Lobban: aged 32 from 10 Argyll Street, Alexandria, Dumbartonshire. NUWM. Married. Age: 32. Occupation: Carpenter. Machine gun Company Quartermaster. Dover to Calais 30/1/1937. Arrived in Spain/Enlisted with Battalion; 4/2/1937. Machine-Gun Company Quartermaster, whose Political Commissar was fellow Scot, Tom Murray. Actions present at Jarama, Brunete and the Ebro offensive. Wounded slightly at Brunete. Killed in the last engagement of the British Battalion on 23/9/1938 on the Ebro front. Reported to have been shot in the spine and paralysed.

Charles O'Neil: born: 8/7/1899, Edinburgh. Enlistment Address: 83 Ladywell Street, Glasgow. Occupation: Transport Worker at Brechin Carting Contractor, Pinkston Road, Glasgow. Trade Union; Scottish Horse and Motormen Association, Glasgow. Married with one child. Age: 39. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk on 20/12/1936 with Peter Kerrigan group. Arrived in Spain: 21/12/1936. Cookhouse? Action's participated in; Jarama, Brunete, Belchite, Teruel, Aragon, Gandesa, Ebro. Confirmed Sergeant on 29/3/1938. Section Muleros XV Brigade. In command of Mule Train's transporting munition's and supplies. Repatriated 7/12/1938 (V13 424b) Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

William Ray: born 5/12/1914. Lossiemouth, Scotland. Sheet Metal Worker. Age: 23. Married. Lived at 133 Annandale Road, Greenock, Renfrewshire. Former Cameron Highlander. Left for France 22/04/1938. (V.48 1266a) Arrived in Spain 29/04/1938. Slightly wounded on 1/9/1938 at the Ebro. Repatriated on 7/12/1938. Upon return lived and worked in London. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Michael B. Conway: born: 4/2/1905. Enlistment Address: 18 Foulford Street, Cowdenbeath, Fifeshire. Occupation: Cable Worker. Married. CPGB (1931) Royal Scots Guards, 14 years. Age: 30. Arrived in Spain 7/2/1938. Repatriated 7/12/1938 Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Andrew William Smith: born: 23/12/1910, Clydebank. 16 Brown Street, Dalmuir, Clydebank. Dumbartonshire. Occupation: Engineer/ Labourer. AEU. British Army, Royal Scots, 7 years. Arrived in Spain 20/12/1937. Chief of Transmissions. Actions participated in: Ebro Offensive. Repatriated on 7/12/1938..Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Robert Shields: Enlistment Address: 9 Stoneyhurst Street, East Keppoch, Possilpark, Glasgow. YCL (1931) NUWM. Age: 25. CPGB. Occupation: Rubber worker. Arrived in Spain 30/12/1937. issued with rifle no. 117446 on 25th July 1938 at the Ebro by Michael Economides. No. 4 Company Political Commissar. Killed in the Sierra Cabals, September 1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John Carlton: Buckhaven, Fife. Enlistment Address: 4 Anderson Lane Buckhaven, Fife. Age: 37. CPGB. Occupation: Baker. Former Seaman. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk on 2/1/1937 (V15 456b) Arrived in Spain: 7/1/1937. Repatriated: 31/8/1937 due to illness (Fever)Battalion No. 56.

Ernest Sim: born; 19/6/1914, 103 George Street, Aberdeen. Enlistment Address: 5a John Street, Aberdeen. Age: 24. Occupation: Labourer. Arrived in Spain: 26/10/1937. Joined Battalion on 23/2/1938. Reported to have been Battalion Commander Sam Wilds' batman. In Hospital 5/4/1938-20/5/1938 (unknown cause) Member of No. 4 Company, Section 3, Platoon 1. Issued with rifle No. 165811 by Company Commissar Mike Economides on 25/7/1938. Wounded on 27/7/1938. Rejoined Battalion on 29/8/1938. Killed in action on 8/9/1938 in the Sierra Cabals (Ebro) Another date of 22/9/1938 has also been given as a possible KIA, although the former is now, i believe, the correct one. Picture courtesy of Margaret Sim

James Gillespie: Enlistment Address: 4b Ruthven Place, Perth. Married with one child. Age: 35. Former junior footballer with St Leonard's FC. Served with Black Watch for seven years. Occupation: Rigger. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk 31/12/1936 (V15 445b) Wounded three times during his time in Spain, including during an action in the Jarama Valley. Wounded by shrapnel in the leg's and Chest. A newspaper report (Dundee Courier 4/11/1938) also states that a bullet entered his mouth and passed out behind his ear, fracturing his jaw. Also in action at Teruel. Reported as being dead in error on 12/2/1937. Also and address at 25 Sligo Street, Lumphinnans, Fife. Served with the British Anti-Tank Battery (Battery formed in May 1937) Wounded at Belchite in September 1937. Almansa 1rst Aid? repatriated 7/10/1938. Battalion No. 423.

John McLean: born: 14/1/1911, Glasgow. Enlistment Address: 302 Garngad Terrace, Townhead, Glasgow. Married with two children. Age: 27. Occupation: Steel Worker. CPGB (Springburn Local, 1931) sailed for France 28/1/1938. Arrived in Spain 7/2/1938. Joined Battalion in March 1938.Member of Major Attlee No.1 Company. Rifle No; 47699. Confirmed Cabo (Corporal) on 18/4/1938. (V44 1129a) Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

James Pollock: born: 26/11/1912, Glasgow. Address; c/o White, 7 Springfield Crescent, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow. Occupation: General Clerk. NUC. CPGB (Springburn Branch, April 1935) Enlistment Address: (Sister) 6 Sterlechy Street, Findochty, Banff. Age: 25. Single. Arrived in Spain: 20/3/1938. Joined Battalion on 10/4/1938. No. 1 Company. Rifle No: 2202. Battalion Activist. Confirmed Cabo on 18/4/1938. Promoted to Sergeant. Actions participated in: Ebro Offensive. Wounded on 22/8/1938 in the Sierra Pandols. Returned to Battalion on 5/9/1938. Posted MIA on 24/9/1938. Prisoner at San Pedro de Cardena. Repatriated on 5/2/1939.

John Young: born: 10/6/1901, Glasgow. Enlistment Address: 26 Phoenix Park Terrace, Cowcaddens, Glasgow. Occupation: Blacksmith. Age: 37. CPGB (1936) Arrived in Spain 1/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 4/1/1937 at Tarazona. Action's participated in; Jarama, Brunete, Ebro. Wounded in the left leg at Jarama on 13/02/1937 and in the right shoulder on 28/4/1937 in the same location. Canteen responsible at Tarazona. 35th Division Engineers (24/7/1938) XV Army Machine-Gun Corp. (June 1938) Political Secretary for Scottish Volunteers (Sept 1938) Repatriated on 07/12/1938. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

John Joseph Lynch: born 8/12/17 in Derry, moved to Glasgow at a young age. Living at 15 Naburn Street in the Gorbals for the rest of his life. YCL. Dover to Dunkirk 3/1/1937 (V15 455b) Arrived at Albacete 7/1/37. Wounded at Brunete. Repatriated 9/9/37 for being under age. Died 1949 having spent WW2 in the Royal Navy. My thanks to Mark Gillespie for the picture and info about his Great-Uncle.

Robert 'Billy' Mason: Enlistment Address: 27 Rose Street, Edinburgh, Lothian. Age 26. CPGB (1931) Single. Occupation: Rubber Floor layer. National Union of General and Municipal Workers. Arrived in Spain/Enlisted in Battalion 4/2/1937. Killed at Jarama 27/02/1937 by either a tracer bullet or by a bullet exploding his cartridge box. Battalion No. 682.

William 'Jock' MacRae (McRae). born: 07/10/1902. Enlistment Address: 160 Allander Street, Possilpark, Glasgow. Age 33. Ex British Army. Occupation: Tinsmith. CPGB. T&GWU. Single. Lived in the Holburn district of London prior to Spain. Sailed Newhaven to Paris 29/01/1937. Arrived in Albacete 04/02/1937. Present at Jarama on 15/02/1937, wounded soon after. Returned to Jarama on 20/03/1937. Wounded again on 26/8/1937 at Brunete by a bullet from a tank. Returned to the UK on an emergency certificate on 13/10/1937.

Adam Davie: Enlistment Address: c/o Pitt, 45 Braid Street, Govan, Glasgow. Age: 27. Sailed Newhaven to Dieppe 23/01/1937. Killed at Jarama 27/02/1937. Battalion No. 513. (V. 19 .513b.) My thanks for the next six pictures go to Alan Lloyd.

John Douglas: 29 Kelvinside Avenue, Maryhill, Glasgow. Occupation: Labourer. NUWM. Age 29. Arrived in Spain 28/12/1936. Killed at Jarama in February 1937. Picture Daily Worker

James Cassidy: Enlistment Address: 282 Garscube Road, Cowcaddens, Glasgow. Age: 31. Occupation: Iron Moulder. Trade Union: Moulders Branch, Maryhill. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk 03/01/1937. Arriving in Spain 07/01/1937. Killed at Jarama in February 1937. Battalion No. 95. (V. 15 455b PF: 44849)

Donald Cameron: born: 4/02/1899? Age: 38. Enlistment address: 40 Lochgilp Street, Maryhill, Glasgow. Occupation: Labourer. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk 02/01/1937. Arriving in Spain 07/01/1937. Killed at Jarama 12/02/1937. Battalion No. 121. (V. 15 456b)

Andy McKeown: 12 Balmain Street, Cowcaddens, Glasgow. Age: 37. Occupation: Hammerman. Dover to Calais 13/02/1937 (V22 571a) Arrived 24/02/1937. Killed Brunete in July 1937. Battalion No. 858.

David Grossart: 24 Agnes Street, Maryhill, Glasgow. Age: 36. CPGB. Occupation: Labourer. T&GWU. Left Glasgow en-route for London 18/12/1936. (V20 517b) Arrived in Spain 28/12/1936. Section Commander, Comapny No.2. Died of wounds sustained at Jarama, April 1937.

Thomas Brannen: Age: 23. Enlistment Address:165 Glasgow Road, Blantyre, Lanarkshire. Married with two children. Occupation: Brickworker. Bugler in the 6th Cameronians (Territorials) CPGB. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk 03/01/1937. (V15 455b) Arrived in Spain: 07/01/1937. Killed at Jarama. While defending the Arganda bridge from attack, Thomas went to the aid of a wounded comrade. While carrying the man to safety, he was shot in the head. This possibly took place at the assault on Pingarron Hill on 27/2/1937. Battalion No. 37. (V. 14. 455b).

J. Baillie: Coatbridge or Motherwell. Killed? Also a William Bailey: 9 Kilnhowie Cottage, Howwood, Coatbridge, Renfrewshire. Age: 33. Dover to Dunkirk 5/1/1937 (PF 40 793) Arrived in Spain 10/1/1937. Died in hospital from pneumonia, June 1937. Battalion No. 143.

Thomas Flecks: 56 Hall Street, Blantyre, Lanarkshire. Occupation: Miner at Cardowan Colliery/Postman? WW1 Veteran who was awarded the Military Medal. CPGB (1921) Age: 44. Sailed Dover to Calais on 13/02/1937. Arriving in Spain 24/02/1937. Worked in the cookhouse and also as a stretcher-bearer. Fought with Anglo-U.S. No.2 Company in the XX (20th) Battalion, 86th Brigade. Killed by a sniper at Chimora (Cordoba) on 21/04/1937. (V.22 571a.) My thanks to Jim Carmody for this biographical information.

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

Andrew F. W. Shaw: born: 25/9/1899. Married. British Army WW1, 1915-1918. Occupation: Joiner. ASW. CPGB (1926) Age: 38. Enlistment Address: 81 Walter Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow. Arrived in Spain; 16/1/1938. Joined Battalion on 11/2/1938. No.2 Company. Observer. Moya Hospital 12/10/1938. Repatriated on 7/12/1938.

John Gorman: born: 31/5/1918, Edinburgh. Occupation: Painter. Painter's Society. CPGB. Enlistment Address; 6 Prestonfield Terrace, Edinburgh. Arrived in Spain: 18/5/1937. Machine-Gunner. Action's participated in: Brunete, Teruel. Repatriated on 5/8/1938 due to heart trouble.

James S. Kermode: Black Street, Airdrie. Age: 34. Milngavie Branch CPGB. (1932) Occupation: Quarryman. Date arrived in Spain 03/12/1936 or 10/12/1936. Group leader. Machine-gunner. Killed at Las Rosas on 12 /01/1937. Killed instantly by shrapnel from an artillery shell, along with George Palmer (Andover) and James Hyndman (Glasgow) As a three man machine-gun team, the men were holding an exposed ridge 100 yards from the village which was being held by fascists. Battalion No. 588.

James (Ginger) McElroy: Enlistment Address: 14 Mafeking Street, Craigneuk, Wishaw, Lanarkshire. Age: 33. CPGB (1932) NUR. One of the 65 men to sail Dover to Dunkirk on 20/12/1936 with Peter Kerrigan. Arrived in Spain 23/12/1936. (V.13 424b) Died of wounds sustained at Jarama at Colmenar Hospital on 25/4/1937. Battalion No. 769.

James Wark: 83 Chapel Street, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. Age: 37. Scot's Guards. Occupation: Labourer.Left Dover for Dunkirk 4/1/1937(V15 455b) Arrived in Spain: 7/1/1937. Died in hospital (Castellon) of wounds sustained at Jarama, on 20/03/1937. Battalion No. 138.

Alexander Marcowich: born: 3/5/1914, Gorbals, Glasgow. Jewish. Enlistment Address: 415 Eglinton Street, Gorbals, Glasgow, C5. YCL. (1929) CPGB (1934) Committee of CP Branch at 64 Hospital Street, Glasgow. Workers Circle. Occupation: Tailors Cutter. NUTGW. Age: 24. Arrived in Spain 29/9/1937. Enlisted in the Battalion at Tarazona 2/10/1937. Rifle No. 41075. Member of No.1 Company. Member of a Machine-Gun crew. Assistant Commissar. Actions present at; Teruel, Seguera de los Banos, Belchite, Caspe. Hospitalised between 14/1/1938-30/1/1938. (injuries unclear) Placed on charges unknown (asleep on guard duty) Sent to an IB correction/re-education camp near Barcelona, (Camp Lukas?) 26/6/1938. Placed in a labour Battalion which was then sent behind fascist lines on numerous occasions to gain enemy intel (oral interview) Held in the IB prison at Castildefels (south of Barcelona) for six weeks. Eventually repatriated 14/2/1939. Picture Courtesy of Allan Marcowich and my personal thanks to Mark Gillespie

William Dieter Gilmour: born 10/10/1903, 71 Stewart Street, Milton, Glasgow. Enlistment Address: St Andrews Cottage, 21 James Street, Blairgowrie, Perth. also 25 Queen Street. CPGB. Age: 34. Occupation: Commercial Traveler/Salesman. Sailed Newhaven to Dieppe 23/1/1937. Arrived in Spain 27/1/1937. Enlisted in Battalion 30/1/1937. Member of No. 2 Company at Jarama. Machine-gun crew. Rank: Sergeant/Group leader. Treated at Benicasim Hospital to recover from fatigue (20 days) Demoted from Sergeant for refusing to carry out an order. Sent to a Labor Battalion 6/6/1937. Auto Park. (Transport). Actions present at: Jarama and Brunete. Awaiting repatriation on Health/Domestic grounds, arriving back at Newhaven 24/10/1937. Battalion No. 517. died 8/2/1972. Picture courtesy of Maria Perera. The above Information sourced from www.madeinperth.org, Mike Arnott and from my own research.

James Rae: 41 Commercial Road, Gorbals, Glasgow. Age: 28. YCL. (1934) Occupation: Labourer. T&GWU. Applied for Passport 16/12/1936. Arrived in Spain 28/12/1936. Killed on the first day of fighting at Jarama on 12/2/1937

John Connolly: Enlistment Address: 22 Warwick Street, Gorbals, Glasgow. YCL. Occupation: Woodworker/Sawmill Worker. Age: 21. Applied for passport 16/12/1936 (V12 415a) Arrived in Spain 22/12/1936. Killed in action at Jarama on either 12/2/1937 or 27/2/1937. Battalion No. 227.

Hugh 'Harry' O'Hanlon: born: 9/6/1911, Rutherglen. Age 26. c/o Lennie 28 Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire. Enlistment Address: 2 Wallace Street, Rutherglen. CPGB (1933) Occupation: Crane Operator and Pottery worker. Single. Sailed from Dover 24/04/1937. Arrived in Spain 15/05/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 18/5/1937. Member of British Anti-Tank Battery. Action's participated in: Jarama, Brunete,Aragon, Ebro. Wounded at Brunete. Joined British Battalion on 12/4/1938. Rifle No: 152384. Repatriated 07/12/1938. Battalion No.1095. RGASPI Archives,Moscow. Fond 545 Op 6 Delo 906. Thanks to Jim Carmody for additional info.

Edward Collier Hughes: 150 Garrioch Street, Maryhill, North Kelvinside, Glasgow. Occupation: mechanic. Age: 23. POW at San Pedro de Cardena from January 1938 until February 1939. (v.51 1351b.) Pictured here on his return to the UK. picture from the Daily Worker, 09/02/39.

James Rutherford: born: 20/11/1917, Edinburgh. Enlistment Address; 9 Anne Street, Newhaven, Lothian. Age: 22. YCL. (1935) Occupation: Miller/Labourer. Single. Dover to Dunkirk 20/12/1936. One of the party of 65 to travel with Peter Kerrigan. Arrived in Spain 22/12/1936. A member of Harold Fry's Machine-Gun Company which was captured at Jarama 13/2/1937. Repatriated to the UK on 2/5/1937, (V13 424b) on the understanding he did not return to Spain, which he did. Taken prisoner once again at Calaceite, (31/3/1938) and taken to San Pedro de Cardena concentration camp. Despite attempts by his comrades to shield him, and adopting an alias (James Smalls) he was recognised and executed on 24/5/1938

Thomas Davidson: Enlistment Address: 19 Forbes Street, Aberdeen. Widower. Occupation: Commercial Traveller. IAU (Insurance Agents Union) Age: 33. CPGB (1937) Arrived in Spain 23/1/1938 along with another Aberdeen volunteer George Forbes. Killed at Gandesa (Aragon retreats) on 2 or 3/4/1938. His body was wrapped in a Republican flag which was then sent back to Aberdeen by fellow Aberdonian and Battalion Political Commissar Bob Cooney.

Robert Malcolm: 2 Hunters Terrace, Perth. WW1 Veteran. Age: 37. CPGB (1934) Occupation; Unemployed labourer. Sailed Dover to Calais 13/2/1937. Arrived in Spain 24/2/1937. Fought with No.2 Company, Anglo-US 20th Battalion, 86th Brigade, Cordoba Front, April-May 1937. Arrived back in the UK 20/7/1937 (Vol.22 571a) or 28/7/1937. Battalion No. 859.

Thomas Sloan: born: 25/3/1902, Glasgow. Enlistment Address; 54 Portugal Street, Gorbals, Glasgow, C5. Married with 7 children. Age: 36. Territorial Army (5 years) Occupation: Furnaceman. Sailed for France on 11/2/1938. Arrived in Spain: 21/2/1938. Joined Battalion on 10/3/1938. Rifle No; 45201. Action's participated in; Aragon, Ebro. Wounded at the Ebro on 31/7/1938. Present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. Repatriated on 7/12/1938

Francis 'Harry' Docherty: born: 15/6/1906, Glasgow. Enlistment Address;13 Leith Street, Riddrie, Glasgow. Age: 32. CPGB, Govanhill Branch (Nov, 1928) Glasgow District Committee member, September 1937. T&GWU (Feb 1935) Occupation: labourer. Married. Sailed to Spain on 18/5/1938. Joined Battalion on 25/5/1938. Rifle No. 2221. Killed at Gandesa (Ebro) on either 28/7/1938 or 31/7/1938.

Robert Ramsay Smilie: Larkhall, Lanarkshire. Age: 20. ILP Guild of Youth. ILP. Part of the Independent Labour party group who went to Spain. 19/10/1936 noted as going to Spain to take appointment with the Catalan covernment as an arms expert. Member of the POUM Militia. Party of Marxist Unity. Died of peritonitis whilst being held in detention in Spain 12/6/1937.

Peter Assheton Sturgeon: born 22/11/1916, Baltimore. Links to Scotland provided by his step-father William Dickie-Sturgeon. Joined the CPA whilst still at high school. Age: 21. Occupation: Party Activist. Sailed to Spain aboard the SS Champlain 4/1/1938. British Battalion. Observer with No.2 company. Rank: Cabo (Corporal). Served at the Ebro offensive. also Lincoln Battalion? At Ripoll (Town near the French border IB's were awaiting repatriation from) on 18/10/1938. Repatriated late 1938 to the States. Left the CP after Spain and was expelled from the VALB (Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade)

William Donaldson Frame: born 8/1/1908, Newtown Village, Midlothian, lived at 4 Dunlop Street, Newtown. Emigrated to Webster, Iowa in 1909 when William was 10 months old. Single. Occupation: Miner. Enlistment address: 809 B Street, Gillespie, Illinios. Received passport No. 380662 on March 30, 1937. Sailed April 21, 1937 aboard the Queen Mary, Arrived in Spain on May 10, 1937, Served with the XV BDE, Estado Mayor, Intendencia, Medics, Returned to the US on December 31, 1938 aboard the President Harding. My thanks to Jo Yurek and Ray Hoff for providing me with this information.

Alexander Reid: 84 West North Street, Aberdeen. also enlistment address: 11 Duff Street, Aberdeen. Occupation: Boilermaker. BMU. Age: 41. Married. Arrived in Spain: 26/10/1937. Joined Battalion on 26/5/1938. Member of the John Brown Artillery, Anglo/ American Battalion, 14th Battery, 2nd Group, 11 Regiment, based at Almansa? Received a wound to his finger. No. 4 Company, Section 1, Platoon 2. Issued with rifle No. 124760 in July 1938 by Michael Econimides at the Ebro. Arrived back at Newhaven on 1/12/1938.

James MacLean: born 5/3/1907, Scotland. Scottish/Lithuanian? Single. IWW? (Wobblies) Occupation: Printer (stereotyper) Arrived in Spain from Hamilton/Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion. The above photo and identity is subject to further investigation.

Ethel MacDonald: born 24/2/1909, North Lanarkshire. Address given as, Calder Road, Bellshill. ILP (Independent Labour Party) USM (United Socialist Movement) Travelled to Spain (Barcelona) in November 1936. In January 1937 Ethel began to transmit English language reports from Radio Barcelona run by the CNT (Nationalist Workers Confederation) Helped Anarchists escape from Spain earning her the nickname 'The Spanish Pimpernel' Returned to Glasgow on 7/11/1937.

Archibald Leman Cochrane: born 12/01/1909, Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland. Medical student at University College hospital, London. To Spain in January 1937. (vol 15 446b) Based at Granen, near Huesca. Joined the 35th Medical Division Unit, attached to the French Battalion of the XIV International Brigade. Worked in the field hospital (an old country club) at Villarejo de Salvanes treating the wounded of Jarama. Returned from Spain in January 1938. Qualified as a doctor in 1938. WW2, Captain, Royal Army Medical Corp. POW. Medical officer in POW camp. died 18/06/1988

John Riddell: Enlistment address: 138 West Graham Street, Glasgow. Age: 35. Ex Royal Navy. NUWM ( 1936) Single. Sailed Newhaven to Dieppe: 23/1/1937. Arrived in Spain: 30/1/1937. Reported to have died through illness at Murcia September 1937. One of nine men named on a commemorative programme, at a memorial service given for the men from the North-West of Glasgow killed in Spain.

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

John Nellis Hollywood; Enlistment Address: 250 Main Street, Bonhill, Alexandria, Dumbartonshire. Occupation: Labourer. Age: 23. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk: 3/1/1937. Arrived in Spain: 7/1/1937. Wounded at Jarama on 15/2/1937. Repatriated 9/9/1937.

John Alexander: Enlistment address 13 Benvie Road, Dundee. Single. Occupation; Railway Labourer with LNER. Left Dundee in May 1937. However, Security Service (KV) files state he had already attempted to leave for Spain that April but was refused leave to land in France (reference V.28729b). Killed on 16/7/1937 at Brunete. His obituary appeared in the Dundee Courier on 6th September 1937.

Allan Craig; born 11/12/1904 at 9 Albert Street, Lochee (now Atholl Street). Enlistment address 9 Reidhouse Street, Glasgow. Sailed for Dieppe on 22/12 /1936. Killed in action on 22/2/1937 in the Jarama Valley.

John 'Patsy' McEwan; c/o Miss Charles, 30 Todburn Lane, off King Street, Dundee. Age: 23. Enlistment Address: 28 Milton Street, (off Strathmore Avenue) Dundee. Junior Footballer playing for Downfield. Occupation: Timber yard Worker with Bell and Sime Ltd. Three years with the British Army. YCL. His last words to his mother were; “If I don’t go and fight fascism, I’ll just have to wait and fight it here”. Security Service (KV) files show he sailed on 23rd January 1937 from Newhaven, (V.19 515a). Killed in action February 1937 in the Jarama Valley.

William McGuire: 15 Tait's Lane, Dundee. YCL. Age: 22. Occupation: radio engineer. Left Dundee on the 27th January 1937. Sailed on the Dover to Calais ferry on 30/01/1937 with Tom Clarke (V.20 527a). Fought at Jarama and was wounded on 27/2/1937. Died the next day in Tarancon hospital from his wounds. He was one of three Dundee brigaders killed at Jarama. (Stalker and Tadden)

John (Jock) Bruce Ness; Born 1906, 11 Robertson Street, Dundee. Occupation: Steel Erector. Single. CPGB (1935) Age: 33. Arrived in Spain: 2/11/1937. Enlisted in Battalion; 5/11/1937 at Tarazona. Issued with rifle No. 431 by Michael Economides just before his Section 1, peleton (platoon) 1 of No 4 Company crossed the River Ebro on 25th July 1938, the day before he was killed. While they were trying to advance under heavy fire, a Nationalist officer appeared on a ridge ahead of them and goaded them, waving them to come on. Ness impetuously leapt to his feet and shouted 'You bastard' and was immediately shot in the chest, dying instantly on the 26th July 1938.

Alexander Kenneth Stalker; 340 Camden Road, N7. Enlistment address 83 Highbury New Park, London N5. Arrived in Spain on 10/12/1936 and went into action at Lopera in late December with the No1 Company (Anglo/Irish) of the French XIV Brigade. He also fought in January at Las Rozas. Went into action at Jarama on 12/02/1937 as a Political Commissar of No 1 company. When Commander Kit Conway was fatally wounded, Stalker was the only experienced man left and took command. Stalker was killed soon afterwards in the late afternoon, shot in the head while leading the No 1 Company in its retreat from White House Hill (later renamed Suicide Hill)

John 'Jock' Tadden: born 1901, Dundee. Enlistment Address: 38 Elizabeth Street Dundee. Single. Served in the 1rst Battalion of the Black Watch for seven years. Participated in the Hunger March in 1934. Age: 36. Left for Spain in December 1936. Arrived 22/12/1936. Died 28th February 1937 at Jarama from wounds received the previous day. He was one of three Dundee Brigaders killed at Jarama.

Alexander G. Edwards; born 6/01/1901. Enlistment Address: 64 Hilltown, Dundee. Unemployed. Security Service (KV) files show he sailed for France on 02/041938 (V.47 1242a) Reported dead in error on 26th July, his obituary (and photo) appeared in the Dundee Courier on 27th August 1938. A report in the Dundee Courier on 13/12 /1938 states that he had returned home to the city a few days earlier on 9th December.

Peter Cassidy: Enlistment Address: 7 Marryat Terrace, Dundee. Sailed for Dunkirk on 4th April 1937 (V.26 682b). He arrived in Spain on 23rd April and served in the Major Atlee No1 Company. He fought at the Ebro and was one of seven Dundee brigaders who returned to the West Station on 12th December 1938

Charles Arthur McLean; Born 1904. Enlistment Address: 46 Hilltown, Dundee. Occupation: Aero-engineer. Age: 34. Served for 8 years with the British Army in India, first with the Royal Scots and latterly with the Black Watch. Tank driver in the Territorial Army before leaving for Spain. Security Service (KV) files show he left Dundee on 29/1/1937 and left Dover for Calais with other volunteers on 30/1/1937. Arrived in Spain; 4/2/1937. He was reported dead in error on 26th July 1938, at the Battle of the Ebro. His obituary (with photo) was published in the Dundee Courier on 27/8/1938. He had actually been posted missing, then accused of desertion and imprisoned on 15th August in the Republican prison at Castelldefels near Barcelona. Listed as present at Ripoll on 18/10/1938. He was one of the seven Dundee brigaders who returned to the West Station on 12th December 1938

Charles Craig; born 13/04/1908, 161 High Street, Lochee. Occupation: docker Enlistment address: 72 Crossburn Street, Glasgow. Brother of Allan Craig. Left the UK on 23/12/1936. He served as a runner with No. 2 machine gun company. He deserted on 6/3/937 despite the pleas of Battalion Commissar George Aitken. His actions were probably as a result of the loss of his brother at Jarama, and the casualties that battle inflicted, particularly on the Scottish volunteers. Most of his company had been either killed or captured.

James Coleman; born 03/07/1914. 29 Blackness Road, Dundee. Occupation: Labourer. Married with two children. Manager of the Workers' Bookshop at 34 Hawkhill. Age 23. CPGB (1935) Arrived in Spain: 27/12/1937. Enlisted in battalion; 30/12/1937. Wounded at some point and repatriated. A report in the Daily Worker (undated) said he would be returning home. Security Service (KV) files state he returned to the UK on 7th October 1938 (V.54 1428a). He died in Dundee on 18th March 1999.

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

Thomas Garrow Clarke: born circa 1907, Dundee. Occupation: Caledon Shipyard worker. CPGB. Cameron Highlanders (1925-1933) Sailed from Dover to Calais on 30/1/1937 (V20 527a) Crossed the Pyrenees to the Brigades HQ at Albacete, then onto Madrigueras. Stretcher bearer at Jarama in February 1937. Wounded in the head on 17/2/1937 at Jarama, and recovered at Castellon and Benicasim hospitals. Took up an administrative post at Albacete. Repatriated in July 1938. Died September 2001. Tom pictured above at Benicasim. Picture courtesy of SCRAN

Richard S. Henderson: Kirkcaldy, Fife, but originally from Dundee. Occupation: Mason's Labourer. Lived at: 347 High Street Kirckaldy. Served with the British Army in India for 7 years. Left for France 26/02/1938. Arrived in Spain 7/3/1938. Killed in action at the Ebro in April 1938. Battalion No. 96. (V. 45 1182a)

John McLanders: born 1901. Enlistment Address: 17 North Wellington Street, Dundee. Age 36. Occupation: Unemployed former lemonade salesman. Married. Left Dundee 1/1/1937. Sailed Dover to Dunkirk on 3/01/1937. Arrived in Spain: 7/1/1937. Killed in action at Jarama. Battalion No. 134 Picture Dundee Courier

Michael Sullivan: Enlistment Address: 45 Burnside Street, Lochee, Dundee, Angus. Occupation: Labourer. CPGB (1933) Age: 34. Arrived in Spain 2/10/1937. Repatriated 7/12/1938 on an emergency certificate. Moscow Archives, Fond: 545 Op: 6 Delo:

Malcolm Smith: born 1911.157 South Road, Dundee. Occupation: Baker. Enlistment Address: 224 Lochee Road, Dundee. Single. CPGB (1935) Age: 26. Left for Spain 23rd September 1937. Arrived in Spain: 29/9/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 02/10/1937. Killed by an anti-tank shell on Hill 666, Sierra Pandols, 19/08/1938. This extract from 'Voices from the Spanish Civil War' from Tom Murray's memoir: " It was a nasty situation, Well, i got up here and i found George Jackson lying stretched out. George came from Cowdenbeath. Charlie McLeod from Aberdeen was lying with his head on George Jackson's chest, and Malcolm Smith from Dundee was lying about a yard or so away. All were dead by the blast of this anti-tank shell. "

Thomas 'Blanco' White: real name Thomas Nisbet. Occupation: Labourer. Enlistment Address: 21 Sandeman Street, Dundee. Arrived in Spain: 14/12/1936. Original Member of No.1 Company. Action's participated in: Lopera, Las Rosas, Jarama, Brunete. Wounded on 6/7/1937 in the back by shrapnel at Villunueva de la Canada (Brunete) Repatriated to the UK on an emergency certificate on 12/4/1938.

David John 'Danny' Gibbons: born: 6/1/1901, Renton, Dumbartonshire. Enlistment Address: Rotherhide, 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 on 16/2/1937 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. Brother's Joe and Thomas (KIA Brunete) also both fought in Spain

Robert D. Simpson: born: 23/12/1895 or 1899. Enlistment Address: 83 West North Street, Aberdeen. British Army (Nine and a half years) Occupation: Butcher. CPGB. Arrived in Spain: 17/10/1937. Machine Gunner. No. 2 Company. Taken prisoner during the Aragon Retreats on 3/4/1938. POW at San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos. Repatriated on 5/2/1939. British Army WW2. Last seen on the beach at Dunkirk during the British withdrawal. Posted missing, presumed dead.

Samuel McDonald: Enlistment Address: 45 Govan Drive, Alexandria, Dumbartonshire. CPGB. Occupation: Blacksmith. British Army. NUR. Age: 31. Arrived in Spain: 10/12/1936. Repatriated on 4/2/1937. Battalion No: 609.

Stephen Kaminski: born: 12/3/1916, Glasgow. Polish Decent. 574 1/2 Gallowgate, Glasgow. Occupation: Brass Finisher. Single. CPGB (Paddington Branch) Age: 22. Enlistment Address: 17 Church Street, London. Arrived in Spain: 4/4/1938. Arrived from London. Joined Battalion on 20/4/1938. Rifle No:191?47. Quartermaster, Sanatario, and Cabo (Corporal) of a Light Machine- Gun Group. Major Attlee No. 1 Company. Action's participated in: Ebro Offensive (Sierra Pandols, Sierra Cabals) 25th July- 24 September 1938.

William Jackson: Enlistment Address: 59 Fordnuek Road, Glasgow. Occupation: Miner. Married with six children. Age: 42. Sailed 19/2/1937. Returned to the UK on 21/2/1937. Sailed again in March-April 1937. Arrived in Spain: 14/4/1937? Returned to the UK on 3/7/1937. Sailed again (unrecorded) and finally returned on 31/8/1938. Battalion No: 904.

Scottish/Canadians

Patrick Joseph Gibbons: born 1905, Renton, Dumbartonshire, Scotland. Home: Chicago. Occupation: Steelworker. Age: 32. Married. Survived the sinking of the Ciudad de Barcelona (torpedoed by an Italian submarine) on 30/5/1937. Arrived in Spain 2/6/1937. Member of Lincoln and Mackenzie Papineau Battalions. WIA. WW2 Armed Forces. Brothers David (Danny) born: 6/1/1901 wounded at Jarama, and Tommy born 6/9/1902 (killed at Brunete) were also born in Renton and fought in Spain. 11_1300

Patrick McGuire: born 28/04/1907, Blantyre, Scotland. Single. Grandparent's emigrated from Ireland. Occupation: Miner (Scotland) Served with the Royal Scots. Home: Vancover, Canada. Royal Canadian Regiment (3 years) Occupation: Auto worker/various. CPC (1935) Relief Camp Workers' Union. Enlistment Address; 2 Dove Street, Nitshill, Glasgow, Scotland, (although joined from Canada) OTC. British Battalion? Enlisted in Battalion; 14/4/1937 Mac-Paps. WIA 15/02/1938 and also on 30/7/1938. Repatriated December 1938.

Charles C. Watt: born 29/08/1894, Aberdeen, Scotland. 18 Lenville Road, Aberdeen. Another address given as 25 Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen, Scotland. Single. CPC (1934) Sergeant in the British Army stationed in France during WW1. Occupation: Railway Engineer/Loco foreman. Railway Brotherhood (1922) Emigrated to Canada in 1919. Enlistment Address: 810 Hastings E, Vancover, Canada. Arrived in Spain: 17/8/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 19/8/1937. Mackenzie Papineau Battalion. Actions present at: Fuentes de Ebro, Ebro. Wounded in Action, hospitalised. Arrived back in UK 7/12/1938.

Thomas McCallum: born 02/08/1906, Rutherglen, Scotland. Occupation: Painter and Decorator. Scottish address: 278 Lawmoor Street, Glasgow. Home: Vancover, British Colombia, Canada. Took part in the On to Ottowa Trek. CPC (1933) Age: 31. Enlistnment Address; 1250 Salsbury Drive, Vancover Britiish Colombia. Enlisted in Battalion: 2/8/1937. Mackenzie-Papineau, Company 3, Section 2. Company Observer. Actions participated in; Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Belchite, Gandesa (Retreats) Ebro Offensive. Wounded at Fuentes de Ebro. Recovered at Benicassim Hospital.

James Hamilton McDowell: born 14/01/1911, Glasgow. Enlistment Address: 54 Rushbrooke Avenue, Toronto, Canada. Home: Toronto, Canada. Occupation: Hotel/Restaruant worker. CPC (expelled in Ripoll, Spain) Sailed to Spain 12/01/1938. Mac-Paps. Special Machine-Gun Company. MIA. POW 24/9/1938. Returned to UK 20/12/1938.

James Taylor Ewen: born 24/12/1915, Scotland. Home: Vancover. Enlistment Address: 8 Wellington Street, Toronto, Canada. Single. Employment: Truck Driver. CPC (1936) Arrived in Spain: 24/6/1937. Enlistment in Battalion: 27/6/1937. Transport, Auto Park. Medical Unit, Ambulance driver. Returned from Spain. WW2 Canadian Army, RCAF.

John Scott 'Jock' McGrandle: born: 5/10/1912, Vale of Leven, West Dumbartonshire. Scottish Address; 162 Glasgow Road, Dumbarton. Emigrated to Canada in 1928. Home: Vancover. Single. Employment: Driver/Lumber Mill Worker. CPC (1936) Arrived in Spain; 14/8/1937. Mac-Paps, 24th Battalion. OTS at Tarazona. Section Leader. Company Political Commissar. Special Machine-Gun Company. Actions participated in: Fuentes de Ebro, Lecera, Caspe, Gandesa, Ebro Offensive. Accused of desertion, expelled from CP on 7/12/1938.

Hugh Garner: born 22/2/1913 in Scotland. Home: Toronto (Cabbagetown) Occupation: Salesman. CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation) Arrived in Spain: 17/1/1937 (Albacete) Communications (Field Telephonist) and Artillery Units. Joined the American Lincoln Battalion on 13/4/1937. Member of a Machine-Gun Company. In Hospital? Repatriated October 1937. Served in the Army during WW2.

Frank Roden: born: 13/3/1899, Edinburgh. Enlistment address: 24 Glenmore Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. Home: Vancover, Winnipeg. CPC (1937) Single. Occupation: Longshoreman. WW1, Corporal in army. Left for Spain:12/6/1937. Arrived in Spain: 1/7/1937. Served with the Mackenzie Papineau Battalion. Actions participated in: Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Belchite, Gandesa, Ebro. Survived.

Andrew Armit: born: 1/6/1907, Fifeshire, Scotland. Home: Hamilton, Brighton and Ontario Canada. Single. CPC (1934) Occupation: Miner. Arrived in Spain: 20/08/1937. Enlisted in Battalion: 23/8/1937. Mac-Paps. Actions present at: Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel, Caspe and Gandesa (Retreats) Ebro Offensive. Arrived back in the UK on 20/12/1938. Canadian Army WW2.

Robert Weir: born: 14/4/1908, Glasgow, Scotland. Enlistment Address: 153 Bernard Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow. Home: Calgary. Single. Occupation: mechanic. RPWU (secretary) CPC (1931) CPS (Communist party Spain) Left for Spain 19/11/1937. Arrived in Spain: 2/12/1937. Served with the Canadian Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion. Mac-Pap No. 2 Company. Company Political Commissar 2/9/1938.

James MacGregor: born: 19/4/1903, Scotland. Home: Vancover, Canada. IWW (International Workers' of the World) Occupation: Railroad Worker. Arrived in Spain: September 1937. CPS (1938) Machine-Gunner. Actions participated in: Teruel, Gandesa, Ebro. Wounded in action at Teruel. Repatriated in September 1938?

William Petrie: born; 4/8/1894, Aberdeen, Scotland. Occupation: Stonecutter. WW1 veteran? Ex Service Men's League. Canadian Labour Defence League. Emigrated to Canada in 1923. Home: Vancover, Canada, CPC (1932) Arrived in Spain: 19/8/1937. Served with the Mackenzie Papineau Battalion, XV International Brigade. Hospital Orderly. Action's participated in: Ebro.

George Grandles Ross: born: 8/6/1912, Rosyth, Fife, Scotland. Enlistment Address: 29 Norval Place, Rosyth, Fife. Single. Emigrated to Canada in 1937. Home: Vancover, Canada. Occupation: Construction Worker/Logger. Arrived in Spain in November 1937. Mackenzie Papineau Battalion, XV International Brigade. Rank: Sergeant. Decorated for bravery. Repatriated. Served in the Canadian Army during WW2.

John Greig McBride: born: 10/3/1908, Falkirk, Scotland. Occupation: Logger. Lumber and Sawmill Workers' Union. Canadian Army (1 year) Age: 29. Arrived in Spain: 27/9/1937. Artillery Unit.

John Brown MacNulty: born: Dumbarton, Scotland. Scottish address: 5 Afton Place, Dumbarton (brother, James) Home: Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Age: 29. Occupation: Baker/Labourer. Single. CPC. Arrived in Spain: 6/12/1937. No. 3 Company, Mackenzie Papineau Battalion, XV IB, 60th Battalion, also serving with the Lincoln Battalion. Peleton leader. Actions participated in; Batea, Gandesa, Ebro. Listed MIA in April 1938. Wounded by shrapnel (left shoulder, arm and leg) on 19/8/1938 in the Sierra Pandols, and suffered a bullet wound (right leg fracture) near Corbera on 10/9/1938. Citied in Order's of the Day on 2/3/9/1938, promoted to Sergeant. Repatriated.

Robert Joseph Kerr: born: 1897, Haddington, Scotland. LP. Emigrated to Castor, Alberta, Canada in 1926. Occupation: Building Worker. CPC (1932) Workers' Unity League (District Organiser) Building Workers' Union. Arrived in Spain: 1/3/1937. Posted to Jarama front. Political Commissar at Albacete for the Canadians. Abraham Lincoln Battalion. Repatriated April 1938. British Army in WW2.

The Banner of the Scottish Contingent of the British Battalion, XV International Brigade which was given to Glasgow Museums in 1986. This banner was never actually in Spain but was used at reunion's and funerals of the Scottish Brigaders. A replica has since been produced primarily due to the efforts of Scottish IBMT Trustee, Mike Arnott.

Banner in front of the Caird Hall, Dundee, with the names of the men from the city who fell fighting fascism at Jarama in Spain. Picture courtesy of the People's History Museum, Manchester.

The bodies of fallen Aberdeen Brigaders, Archie Dewar and Tom Davidson were wrapped in the above Spanish Republican flag. Bob Cooney then sent it back to Aberdeen. Aberdeen Womens' Aid Committee sewed on the legend "From the Aberdeen Boys Fighting in Spain" Thanks to Aberdeen Trades Council.

Aberdeen Brigaders from left: Archie Dewar (killed 17/3/1938) Battalion Commissar Bob Cooney and Bob Simpson

Aberdeen Volunteers return home. Daily Worker 17/12/1938. Davie Anderson (back row second left) John Londragon (back row first right) Alf Christie (middle row second left) William Dunbar (first right, middle row) Bob Cooney (second right, first row) Robert Simpson (first right, first row) Picture Courtesy of WCML.

Lieutenant Arthur Nichol from Dundee (beside column) marches with the British Battalion.

Members of the second Scottish Ambulance Unit: left: M. Linden (Glasgow) R. MacFarquhar (Inverness) A. Boyd (Bearsden) J. MacKinnon (Ayr) G. Burleigh (Kilsyth) T. Penman (Glasgow) unknown, T. Waters (Tillicoultry)

Allan Craig (standing back left with beret) and immediately in front of him, his brother Charlie, both originally from Dundee. Allan Craig was killed at Jarama a few miles east of Madrid at the bottom of Suicide Hill.

Craig Brothers

Archie Dewar (Left) and Jock MacCrae. Both were member's of No.2 Company, Anglo-US 20th Battalion, 86th Brigade, which fought on the Pozoblanco sector, Cordoba Front from April-May 1937.

Tommy Flynn from the Calton, Glasgow. Member of the Chapayev Battalion of the XIII International Brigade. Killed at Chimorra on 7/4/1937.

Jock Cunningham and George Aitken.

Brothers George and Tom Murray in Spain. Sister Anne was also in Spain working as a nurse.

Nurse Anne Murray.

George Murray with an unknown member of the nursing staff.

Memorial ceremony for the five Aberdeen Brigaders who gave their lives in Spain.

28/11/1938: Report from the Aberdeen Press and Journal concerning the previous night's memorial service.

Carnet Militar of John Dunlop.

The Murray family, whose service to Republican Spain was second to none, Left: Tom Murray, Anne Murray and George Murray.

1974: Scottish Brigader's show solidarity with Rolls Royce workers who refused to work on engines for Pinochets' Chilean air-force. Left: James Maley (third left, partially hidden) right: Gary McCartney, Tom Murray, Donald Renton, Tommy Bloomfield, Tom Clarke (centre, with glasses)

May Day 1939: Glasgow Green. Communist MP, Willie Gallagher (centre) with Brigader Joe Fuhr (left) and CP Member and Trade Unionist, Tom Mann, who is holding the banner on the right. My thanks to Stuart Walsh and the WCML for this picture.

Scottish veterans: left Garry McCartney, Syd Quinn (third right) Anne Murray, Donald Renton.

5/12/1979, Glasgow: Unveiling of the iconic La Pasionaria Statue at Custom House Quay.

Scots veterans, Glasgow 1986: left. Eddie Brown, Phil Gillan, George Murray, George Drever, Steve Fullarton.

Suggested reading:
'Voices from the Spanish Civil War: Personal Recollections of Scottish Volunteers in Republican Spain 1936-1939' Ian MacDougall
'Homage to Caledonia: Scotland and the Spanish Civil War' Daniel Gray