Remembered: the 160 men from Merseyside who fought in the Spanish Civil War

Jul 12 2008 by David Charters, Liverpool Daily Post

Bob Bradock with the memorial to the Internatonal Brigades Association _320

He was wounded twice, each time returning to the front, before being killed, aged 21, at the Battle of Ebro, in 1938.

Jack Larkin Jones, from Garston, the son of a docker, became a Labour councillor in Liverpool, before joining the British Battalion of the XV International Brigade. He was seriously wounded at Ebro.

Jack went on to be the General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers’ Union for nine years from 1968. Later, he started the National Pensioners’ Convention.

Now he is 95 and frail, but it is hoped he will be the guest of honour at the 70th anniversary commemorations.

The war continued until April, 1939, but with massive odds against their cause, the Republicans sent the Brigaders home in 1936 to prevent unnecessary loss of life.

The commemoration is being organised by Bob Braddock, co-ordinator of the People’s Centre.

“In the 1930s, there was a sense of recognition and sympathy with workers wherever they were,” he says.

“Liverpool and Manchester were hot-beds of the politics and sympathy which understood that.” Liverpool dockers refused to handle the Spanish Ship SS Linaria because it contained nitrate for use in weapons by Franco’s forces. Their action was eventually supported by a court ruling.

“This is our contribution to Liverpool’s year as the European Capital of Culture. This is about working-class history, working-class culture and working-class art,” adds Bob. “Forgive me for saying this, but I think the Capital of Culture has been about pop art and high art, but very little working people’s art.”

Anyone wanting to contribute to the exhibition can contact Bob on 0151 709 3995.

davidcharters@dailypost.co.uk