Maley, James (Oral history)

British machine gunner served with No 2 Machine Gun Coy, British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain, 1/1937-2/1937: POW in Talavera de la Reina and Salamanca Prisons in Spain, 2/1937-7/1937; gunner served with Royal Artillery in India, 1942-1945

REEL 1 Background in Glasgow, GB, 1908-1936: family; employment; joining Communist Party of Great Britain, 2/1932; activities with Communist Party of Great Britain; religious outlook. Aspects of joining International Bdes and journey from GB to Spain, 12/1936: volunteering for International Bdes; bus journey with other volunteers from Glasgow to London; reception in Paris, France. Aspects of training with British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain, 1/1937: arrival in Spain; rifles; prior military training with Territorial Army, 1935; degree of military training amongst other volunteers; drill at Madrigueras, 1/1937; rations. Aspects of period as machine gunner with No 2 Machine Gun Coy, British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain, 2/1937: joining machine gun company; move to Jarama front; opinion of Spanish troops; positions; sight of Sixth of February Bn, 15th International Bde; decision to stay in trench position. REEL 2 Continues: surrounding of position; capture by Spanish Nationalist and Moorish troops. Recollections of period as POW in Talavera de la Reina and Salamanca Prisons in Spain, 2/1937-7/1937: conditions and treatment in Talavera de la Reina Prison; interrogation by Falange Espanola official; move to Salamanca Prison; effects of visit by British Consul; conditions in Salamanca Prison; selling of his boots for food; learning Spanish songs; physical condition and lice; release in prisoner exchange and return to GB, 7/1937; comparison between British Army and International Bdes; attitude towards public speaking engagements for Aid Spain Movement in Glasgow on return to GB. REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period as civilian in Glasgow, GB, 1939-1942: story of volunteering for armed services and being rejected on grounds of previous service with International Bdes, 7/1940; story of organising industrial action, 1940-1941. Aspects of period as gunner with Royal Artillery in India, 1942-1945: political activities in India including addressing audiences of Indian Communists; attitude of army authorities to his political activities; transfer to 2nd Bn King's Own Scottish Borderers in Burma, 1945.