Leeson, George (Oral history)

British machine gunner and section commander served with No 2 (Machine Gun) Coy, British Bn, XV International Bde in Spain, 1/1937-2/1937; prisoner of war in Talavera de la Reina and Irun, Spain, 2/1937-9/1937; civilian delegate with Aid Spain Committee in France, 1938-1939

REEL 1 Background in Clonakilty, Ireland and Isle of Wight, GB, 1907-1936: father's employment with HM Coastguard in Ireland and Scotland; education; service as seaman with Royal Navy on China Station, 1930-1934; decision to buy himself out of Royal Navy; recruitment to Communist Party of Great Britain, 1935; trade union activities whilst employed by London Underground in London, 1934-1936. Aspects of volunteering for International Bdes and journey from GB to Spain, 12/1936: decision to volunteer; reactions of family; interview at Headquarters, Communist Party of Great Britain, King Street, London, GB; questioning of volunteers by police in France; opinion of support for Republican Spain amongst British trade union members; prior recollection of activities with Communist Party of Great Britain prior to going to Spain; question of knowledge of Spain; train journey to Perpignan, France; crossing Pyrenees Mountains as migrant workers; marching through Barcelona, Spain; waiting for repair of bombed railway lines near Tortosa, Spain. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of period as machine gunner and section commander with No 2 (Machine Gun) Coy, British Bn, XV International Bde in Spain, 1/1937-2/1937: formation of battalion; pay; relations with civilians in Madrigueras; attitudes towards Wilfred Macartney; reactions to visit by London Trades Council delegation, 1/1937; opinion of shooting of Wilfred Macartney; opinion of appointment of Tom Wintringham as battalion commander; training; background to formation of XV International Bde; degree of military training amongst volunteers; reasons for casualties during Battle of Jarama, 2/1937; problems with ammunition supply for machine guns; unit discipline; appointment as section commander; communications and use of runners; role of Tom Wintringham during Battle of Jamara, 2/1937; nature of terrain at Suicide Ridge. REEL 3 Continues: opinion of positions; opinion of Harold Fry; capture, 13/2/1937. Aspects of period as prisoner of war in Talavera de la Reina Prisoner of war Camp and Irun, Spain, 5/1937-9/1937: hearing of his being exchanged. Recollections of period as delegate with Spanish Aid Committee in France, 9/1938-6/1939: meeting wounded troops at Spanish border, 12/1938; payment of International Bde volunteers; repatriation expenses; story of caring for badly wounded British volunteer; opinion of aid for refugees in French camps; conditions in internment camps in southern France; smuggling refugees; opinion of treatment of stateless refugees by French authorities; activities of International Bdes veterans outside Spain, 1939-1945. Aspects of period as civilian in GB, 1939-1976: attempts to join armed forces in GB, 1939-1945; political activities; background to becoming teacher, 1945; receiving wage increment for military service in Spain; disillusion with Communist Party of Great Britain. REEL 4 Continues: background to leaving Communist Party of Great Britain and recruitment to Labour Party during 1950s; attitude towards experiences in Spanish Civil War.