Byrne, Joseph Leo (Oral history)

British rifleman served with British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain, 3/1937-3/1938; POW in San Pedro de Cardena and San Sebastian Prisons in Spain, 4/1938-4/1939

REEL 1 Background in Dublin, Ireland and Liverpool, GB, 1916-1937: family; move from Dublin to Liverpool; employment, 1929-1936 including story of learning to drive whilst working as tea blender; political influence of friends; reaction to cinema newsreels on Spain, 1936-1937; family living conditions; attitude towards Catholic Church; recruitment to Huyton Branch of Communist Party of Great Britain, 1935; opposing British Union of Fascist meeting; reaction to attending outdoor training scheme for unemployed; story of being sacked as welder for trying to start trades union. Aspects of volunteering for International Bdes in Spain and journey from GB to Spain, 3/1937: recruitment at Communist Party of Great Britain headquarters in King's Street, London; decision to conceal recruitment from family; reasons for volunteering; origins of volunteers; question of financing journey. REEL 2 Continues: conspicuousness of volunteers in Paris, France; journey through France; crossing Pyrenees Mountains; strafing attack by Nationalist Air Force aircraft. Recollections of operations as rifleman with British Bn, 15th International Brigade in Spain, 3/1937-3/1938: training at Tarazona de la Mancha; move to Teruel front; organisation of International Bdes; conditions; move to Gandesa to relieve 11th Division, 3/1938. Aspects of capture by Nationalist Forces in Spain, 3/1937-4/1937: capture by Italians at Calaceite, 31/3/1938; problems of throwing away identity cards; rations; expectation of execution; accommodation in church; move to barracks at Zaragoza; being interviewed by press; memories of Frank Ryan; Recollections of period as POW in San Pedro de Cardena and San Sebastian Prisons in Spain, 4/1938-4/1939: conditions during train journey to San Pedro de Cardena Prison, 4/1937; description of prison, inmates and conditions. REEL 3 Continues: prison rations; contracting enteric fever; question of medical provision; washing facilities; problems with lice; treatment received from guards; story of British prisoners volunteering to fight for Nationalists; recreational activities; visits from Red Cross and receiving mail from home; story of initially being left behind when British prisoners transferred to San Sebastian Prison; transfer to San Sebastian Prison; feeding up of prisoners prior to release from San Sebastian Prison; release at Hendaye and train journey through France; story of beating of American prisoner; role of prison trustees. Attitude to having served with British Bn, 15th International Bde in Spain.