Morgan, Charles (Oral history)

British volunteer served with Machine-Gun Coy, British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain, 12/1936-8/1937.

REEL 1 Political influences in Manchester and recruitment to International Brigade at King St, London, ca 11/1936. Aspects of journey to Spain, ca 12/1936: attempts to prevent volunteers leaving GB; organisation in Paris; story of misunderstanding with French taxi driver; crossing Pyrenees by coach; train journey from Figueras to Barcelona. Recollections of period with British Bn, 15th IB, 1/1937-8/1937: opinion of Giles and Esmond Romilly; motives of IBers; cars painted with political slogans in Albacete; uniforms; reception from Spanish civilians; training; impressions of Madrigueras; forming of British Bn; billeting; opinion of Wilfred Macartney; reaction to political lectures; training; opinion of appointment of Communist Party members as officers; opinion of military organisation at Jarama, 2/1937; treatment of Bert Ovendon; sustaining face wound, posting to Bde headquarters. Aspects of period at IB headquarters, Morata de Tajuna, ca 2/1937-7/1937: conditions for officers; protection of Giles Romilly; story illustrating poverty of Spanish peasant workers. REEL 2 Continues: politicising effects of experiences; story of requesting reading matter for IBers in Spain, nature of replies; motives of volunteers; conditions in Barcelona, 1937; background to joining Machine-Gun Coy, impressions of battle of Brunete, 7/1937; fraternisation between Bns; receiving discharge, journey aboard cargo ship to GB, ca 8/1937.