'History we never knew we had'

Representatives of the North West International Brigade Memorial Group spoke to the Ashton History Society at the Tameside Local Studies and Archive Centre.

On Wednesday 17 April 2024, Dolores Long, Graham Briggs, Stephanie Turner and Rob Hargreaves received a warm reception from the Ashton History Society at the Tameside Local Studies and Archive Centre.

Left to right: Dolores Long, Graham Briggs and Rob Hargreaves.

They talked about the seven men from Tameside who volunteered to serve with the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War, including James Keogh, killed in action at Calaceite, and Lilian Urmston, the amazing nurse from Stalybridge, who served in Spain, and went on to nurse British troops at Dunkirk, and in Egypt and Sicily. 

Tameside volunteer James Keogh and a plaque unveiled in his memory.

Stalybridge nurse Lilian Urmston (far right).

Said Graham, who carried out detailed research on the Tameside volunteers: “It was so gratifying to hear a member of the Club thank us for revealing 'history we never knew we had’!”