Quinn, Sydney (Oral history)

British rifleman served with No 1 Coy, La Marseillaise Bn, XIV International Bde and British Bn, XV International Bde in Spain, 11/1936-10/1937

REEL 1 Background in Lisburn, Northern Ireland and Glasgow, GB, 1909-1936: father's move to Scotland; family deaths; participation in hunger march to London; period as gunner with Royal Artillery, 1935-1936. Aspects of journey from GB to Spain via France to join International Brigades, 11/1936: decision to go to Spain; opinion of George Nathan; processing of volunteers in Paris, France; journey to Perpignan, France. Recollections of period as rifleman with No 1 Coy, La Marseillaise Bn, XIV International Bde in Spain, 11/1936-2/1937: conditions at Figueras and Albacete; training at Madrigueras; recruitment to unit; memories of John Cornford; strafing by Nationalist aircraft; advance at Corunna Road; role of George Nathan in stopping breakthrough by Nationalist forces; retrieving volunteers from unofficial leave from Lopera; move of unit to defend Las Rozas de Madrid; Spanish female soldiers; rations and issue of uniforms; company runner; lice. Recollections of period as rifleman with British Bn, XV International Bde in Spain, 2/1937-10/1937: reception on arrival at Madrigueras; unit casualties; duties as town policeman and suicide of volunteer; move to Jarama front; promotion of Joseph 'Jock' Cunningham. REEL 2 Continues: lice and conditions at Jarama; trench warfare; hearing of effectiveness of small arms fire from Nationalist deserters; background to transfer to British Bn; effect of speech by Harry Pollitt; story illustrating discipline used by Fred Copeman; opinion of Fred Copeman; return to front line at Jarama, 2/1937; getting drunk at Jarama; reaction to visitors to front; move to Brunete, 7/1937; witnessing Republican aircraft being shot down at Brunete; attempts to breach Nationalist fortifications; water supplies; death of volunteer; firing on civilian shields and sparing of Nationalist officer at Morata de Tajuna; deaths from booby traps; question of use of civilian shields; opinion of campaign at Brunete; view of dead civilians; sight of bulls during attack on Mosquito Ridge, 7/1937; death of Charlie Goodfellow during Battle of Brunete, 8/7/1937; use of artillery; memories of Clifford Watters; rations and water supplies; opinion of journalist Claud Cockburn alias Frank Pitcairn and decision to hold political meeting during action on Mosquito Ridge; Fred Copeman's style of command; encounter with Soviet tank crew; conditions at Mosquito Ridge. REEL 3 Continues: death of Canadian volunteer in Nationalist ruse; leaving wounded behind during retreat; death of George Nathan, 16/7/1937; opinion of Battle of Brunete; advice from Spanish Republican Army officer to retreat towards Madrid; request for Communist Party members to stay in action; memories of Joe Hinks; period in reserve at Lukacs Camp; story illustrating battle fatigue amongst French volunteers; voluteering to stay at Brunete; reaction to leaving Spain, 10/1937; activities on return to GB; opinion of British Bn; opinion of Moorish troops of Nationalist Army of Africa; desertions amongst Spanish and French units; attitude towards Spain, 1976; question of encountering discrimination as Intenational Bde veteran in British Army and civilian life.