Description
Object description
British rifleman served with No 1 Coy, La Marseillaise Bn, XIV International Bde in Spain, 12/1936-2/1937; served with British Bn, XV International Bde in Spain, 2/1937-8/1937
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1907-1936: family; living conditions in King's Cross area, 1907-1922; interest in running and literature; periods of intermittent work; political development; accommodation; awareness of political situation in Europe; reaction to Nationalist uprising in Spain, 1936. Aspects of volunteering for International Bdes and journey to Spain, 12/1936: background to volunteering; incident of being refused passport; clandestine journey through France; arrival in Spain. Aspects of period as rifleman with No 1 Coy, La Marseillaise Bn, XIV International Bde on Cordoba front, Spain, 12/1936: strafing by Nationalist Air Force during advance at Lopera, 12/1936; opinion of weapons; nature of fighting at Lopera; casualties and retreat with George Nathan; opinions of John Cornford and Ralph Fox; under Nationalist Air Force attack at Lopera.
REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of background to volunteering for International Bdes and journey to Spain via France, 12/1936: reasons for volunteering for International Bdes; opinion of political situation in Europe, 1936; failed attempt to obtain passport; attempt to cross to France with group of First World War veterans; use of day ticket to get to France; rendezvous with other volunteers in Paris, France; clandestine journey through France and arrival in Figueras, Spain. Recollections of period as rifleman with No 1 Coy, La Marseillaise Bn, XIV International Bde in Spain, 12/1936-2/1937: arrival in Madrigueras; question of training; issue of Steyr Mannlicher Model 1888/1890 Rifle and French Chauchat Light Machine Gun; move to Lopera on Cordoba front, 23/12/1936; under Nationalist Air Force attack en route to Lopera; performance of weapons; finding cover behind tree; advance to Lopera.
REEL 3 Continues: move to Los Rozas de Madrid; dodging Nationalist machine gun fire; sight of armoured car commander saluting soldier; opinion of Nationalist equipment; opinion of rifles; ammunition supply; use of bayonets; description of handmade mortar bombs; opinion of Moors; nature of action at Los Rozas de Madrid. Recollections of period as rifleman with British Bn, XV International Bde in Spain, 2/1937-8/1937: joining battalion at Madrigueras; opinion of Major Gaston Delasalle; death of volunteer collecting letters from dead at Battle of Jarama, 2/1937; digging in; conditions in trenches; activities during leave in Madrid.
REEL 4 Continues: comparison of food and conditions in Spain with period of unemployment in London, GB; opinion of rations; story of avoiding battalion line up at Mondejar, 5/1937; move to Brunete, 7/1937; hot weather conditions at Brunete, 7/1937; taking cover from Nationalist Air Force attack whilst searching for ammunition; attempt to catch piglet in village; move to Mosquito Ridge; death of Albert Parkes during artillery bombardment; sustaining eye wound; Alfred 'Trampy' Woodhouse suffering from battle fatigue; walking with Moorish troops to escape box barrage; wounding in eye; return of brigade to Mondejar. Aspects of return to London, GB, 1937: attempts to leave Spain with help of British Consul; arrest in France; receiving civilian clothes from contact in Paris, France; questioning by police on return to Dover, GB.
REEL 5 Continues: suspicions of train passenger; obtaining employment in London; speaking on Spain at meetings. Reflections on service with XIV and XV International Bdes in Spain, 1936-1937: opinion of experiences during Spanish Civil War; reads extract from poem by Shelley; memories of George Nathan, Sam Wild, Joseph 'Jock' Cunningham, Ralph Fox and John Cornford; opinion of battalion leadership; role of International Brigades; question of woman soldiers; memories of Joe May.