IBMT Archivist Alan Lloyd has transcribed a letter from commissar John Gates reporting the death of Humfry Scott (1904-1937) after the Battle of Pozoblanco. The letter, dated 30 April 1937, was addressed to Humfry’s Sudeten Czech wife, Hedwig ‘Hedi’ Zappe. The original is held in the Scott family archive.

Dear Comrade Hedi,

It is with great sorrow that I write you of the death in action of your husband, Humfry Scott. Not only because it will be a great blow to you but because we lost one of our best and most valuable and dearly beloved comrades.

Comrade Scott was political commissar of the English section of our company, the 2nd Anglo-American Company of the 20th Battalion of the International Brigade.

A teacher and translator from Bournemouth, Humfry Scott is pictured above before leaving for Spain in 1936.

He had a great understanding of his work and was of tremendous aid to me in the political work. Our company was known as the most disciplined company in the Battalion, with an extremely high morale.

And now, after one month at the front, we not only retain that reputation but have added to it a record of discipline, heroism and courage under fire. To this record, the work of Comrade Scott contributed in no small degree.

He was not only a fine political worker but also was an example in the fighting.

The position we occupied at the front was a very dangerous one – dominated by the enemy from a superior height and under heavy sniping fire at all times. We were daily subjected to heavy artillery and aviation bombardments.

In all this Scott occupied one of the first trenches. On the day of the fatal action, under cover of artillery fire, the enemy (Moors) advanced to within 10 metres of our position and surprised us with hand grenades, forcing us from the position. In this, Comrade Scott, in his position, was killed by a grenade before he knew what had
happened. He died instantly.

The next day we counter-attacked and took the position back again.

We buried Comrade Scott with military honours on Chamorro mountain, near Pozoblanco, in the province of Córdoba. His grave is marked with a hammer and sickle built of stone. I enclose a letter which I found among his personal effects. I am sure you will find it dear to you.

John Gates, political commissar of the Anglo-American 2nd company of the 20th Battalion, pictured in May 1938 by the 15th International Brigade Photographic Unit. Photo: Tamiment Library.

In closing, I want to say that although Comrade Scott was not a member of the Communist Party, his work and the example he gave us, proved that he would have filled with honour a place in any Communist Party in the world. He was a True
Bolshevik.

The memory of Comrade Scott will always be treasured by us. Long live the International Brigade!

Forward to victory over Fascism! For a free and Democratic Spain!

Comradely yours,
John Gates.