description
Object description
British civilian in Australia and GB, 1931-1936. Served with No.1 Coy, Marseillaise Bn, 14th International Bde and as political commissar with British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain, 10/1936-4/1938.
Content description
R1 Opinion of personal accounts by International Bde veterans. Aspects of political development in Australia and GB during 1930s: reaction to unemployed workers marches in Australia in 1931; joining CP on return to GB; recruitment to IB in GB, 10/1936. Aspects of journey to Spain, 11/1936: waiting with British volunteers in Paris; meeting other volunteers in Perpignan. Recollections of period with Marseillaise Bn, 14th International Bde in Spain, 11/1936-2/1937: organisation of IBs by Andre Marty at Albacete; influx of volunteers at Madrigueras, 12/1936; opinion of George Nathan; first action at Andujar, 24/12/1936; supplies; action at Corunna Road, Madrid, 10/1/1937. R2 Recollections of period as political commissar with British Bn, 15th IB, 2/1937-3/1938: joining unit on Jarama front, 2/1937; story of being left behind at Lopera; question of prisoners; casualties; opinion of role of IBs; recollections of volunteers including Sam Wild, Bobby Clark, Joe Hinks and John Cornford; opinion of Jason Gurney's, 'Last Crusade' and Hugh Thomas' 'The Spanish Civil War'; story of accompanying Major Lasalle to court martial, ca 6/1937; story of being disciplined by Lasalle; opinions of Fred Copeman and Dr.Tudor-Hart. R3 Continues: story of being wounded whilst trying to snatch prisoner from trenches at Jarama, 4/1937; story of treatment from various medical units for arm wound, ca 9/1937; circumstances of death of John Cornford; duties as political commissar; reactions to deaths of comrades in action; activities interviewing recruits at Albacete, ca 1/1938. Account of escaping from Spain with John Henderson, 2/1938: being stranded during air raids in Barcelona; help from Aid Spain worker; story of visiting bistro at Cerbere; reception from Special Branch officers in GB, ca 3/1938; opinion of effects of experiences in Spain. R4 Continues: stories illustrating commitment of volunteers; opinion of George Orwell's account of fighting in Catalonia.
