International Brigade Memorial Trust
Robbie MacDonald reports from May's unveiling of a new memorial in East Lancashire…
Men from East Lancashire who volunteered to fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War have been honoured in a new memorial in Burnley.
The Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Shah Hussain, at the unveiling, holding the flag of XV International Brigade.
Volunteers from Pendle, Burnley, Rossendale and Hyndburn are featured in the memorial to the International Brigade near Burnley Library. It was unveiled at a ceremony in May by the Mayor of Burnley, Coun Shah Hussain, and Chris Keene of North East Lancashire Trades Union Council.
The new plaque featuring words from the farewell to the Brigaders given by Dolores Ibárruri, La Pasionaria, on 28 October 1938.
The new memorial highlights James Bridge from Nelson, George Buck from Nelson, Freeman 'Frank' Drinkwater of Burnley, H Eastwood-Taylor of Rawtenstall, Harry Edward Gaze from Accrington, David Hartley King of Salterforth, Jack Howley from Colne, John Jolly of Burnley, Samuel Martin from Burnley and Frank Welsby, also of Burnley.
Lewis Ashworth, from Barrowford, reading at Burnley Library.
The ceremony included speaker Lewis Ashworth from Barrowford. He is a University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) history graduate who has researched local links to the Spanish Civil War and other conflicts.
In Lancashire, support for the International Brigade and loyal Spanish soldiers who tried to defend Spain's democratic government came in other forms too. Medical aid with volunteer nurses and doctors was provided, along with fund-raising activities for ambulances and humanitarian aid. Towns such as Burnley and Nelson had local Spanish aid committees. Many mayors were involved too in local campaigns to help Spain.
A display at nearby Burnley Library illustrated the range of activities, including photos of activists and an ambulance provided by the people of Burnley. Also pictured were nurses, including Molly Murphy from Leyland.
IBMT member Lisa Croft from the North West with Lorrain McCartney from the North East.
The new Burnley memorial has been supported by organisations including North East Lancashire Trades Council, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), International Brigade Memorial Trust supporters and Burnley Council.
The Burnley and Bolton Clarion Choir perform at the unveiling.
The ceremony included songs the Burnley and Bolton Clarion Choir. Clarion choirs and other groups, such as cycling clubs, were originally linked to the former Independent Labour Party, which had a newspaper called The Clarion.
Today, there is a Clarion House outdoor club at Newchurch in Pendle, near Nelson and the landmark Pendle Hill. The venue has Spanish Civil War memorabilia along with many other local items. It is still used today for outdoor, political and educational activities, including a cafe for visitors on Sundays. Pendle Council has supported it along with charity trustees.
In nearby Nelson, a building called Unity Hall is a former Independent Labour Party venue with ILP architectural features and a reading room. Today, the building is used by Nelson Town Council and the local community. The reading room can be visited on arrangement.
