IBMT Scotland Secretary reports from the commemorations in Spain between 20 and 22 February 2026...

The third weekend in February has, since 2007, seen eyes turn to Madrid and AABI’s annual commemoration of the Battle of Jarama. This year saw their 18th Annual Jarama March, with the focus on the role in the battles around Madrid played by the French ‘Commune de Paris’ Battalion, then part of the XI International Brigade.

Over two dozen participants from the UK and Ireland, within a loose IBMT ‘affinity group’, attended the weekend, including the IBMT’s Secretary, Scotland Secretary and Joint Ireland Secretary. A slightly larger group from Friends of the International Brigade Ireland (Fibi) were also, as usual, in attendance.

These groups came together on Friday 20th February to attend the 14th Annual Commemoration at Tarancón, where the 39 Scots who fell at Jarama in 1937 are remembered alongside Tarancón's civilian victims of the dictatorship, the town's fallen who served fighting against the forces of Hitler, Mussolini and Franco and those Spaniards and Internationals who died in the town's Republican hospitals.

We were again indebted to Fibi (Friends of the International Brigades in Ireland ), whose bus from Madrid we all shared, and ARMH Cuenca (the local association for the recovery of historical memory), who organised the ceremony in the Municipal Cemetery and whose President, Maximo Molina, again chaired the commemoration, despite convalescing from recent surgery.

Among the Scots attending were Lorraine McGarry, whose grandfather Allan Craig was killed at Jarama, and Sandy and George Clarke, whose uncle Tom was wounded there. Lorraine’s father, Allan Craig Jnr, had instigated the initial commemoration in 2011 by planting an olive tree and placing a plaque to his father and to his 38 Scottish comrades who had fallen at Jarama. The olive tree was in full fruit on the day of the ceremony.

Left: descendants and supporters gather in Tarancón; right: the plaque presented by the local council to the IBMT.

At the start of the ceremony, the Ayuntamiento (council) of Tarancón presented plaques to Mike Arnott of the IBMT and John Bruen of Fibi to mark their thanks for the two organisations’ commitment to historical memory, solidarity and justice.

George Clarke read the roll of the 39 Scots dead, alternating with the names of the Tarancón civilian victims, read by 2010 European 1500m Gold Medallist, Professor Arturo Casado. Irish Brigader’s daughter Brenda O’Riordan sang Christy Moore’s ‘Viva la Quinta Brigada’ and read Mary Brooksbank’s poem ‘Graves in Spain’.

Other contributions touched on the remains of hundreds of victims, exhumed at Ucles Monastery by ARMH Cuenca since 2004, which are still waiting for Government funding for DNA analysis, and on the activities of COT, who fight for recognition and justice for those killed campaigning on Spain's streets, and those detained and tortured, during Spain’s ‘transition to democracy' in the mid to late 70s.

The Ayuntamiento had arranged for the gates of the former Hospitalillo de Santa Emilia to be unlocked to allow us to visit and, while it was great to get access, we can only acknowledge the frustration of ARMH Cuenca, and indeed our own, that the decades of neglect of the building show no sign of being addressed, despite its status as a building of historical interest, a physical witness to the Civil War in the town and a unique representation of the role played by Tarancón’s Republican Military Hospitals.

Left: supporters at the commemoration in Tarancón; right: the Hospitalillo de Santa Emilia, the Republican hospital.

At lunch, the tradition of passing round Hamish Drummond’s hat was again observed, with over €1000 being raised to support the ongoing work of ARMH Cuenca. A record.

Saturday 21 saw us leave Madrid, on coaches organised by AABI and Fibi, and head to the battlefield of Jarama to walk the positions of the ‘Commune de Paris’ Battalion. After a 4km walk, we moved to the famous Arganda Bridge, which was a focal point of the Commune de Paris’s involvement at Jarama. It was at this point that our Fibi comrades moved on to Rivas-Vaciamadrid for their own commemoration at the Charlie Donnolly and Eddie O’Neill memorials there.

At lunch, Mike Arnott was presented by the author, leading AABI historian Seve Montero, with a signed copy, dedicated to the IBMT, of his 2025 book ‘Las Brigadas Internacionales, Mes a Mes’.

Left: Mike Arnott with historian Seve Montero; centre: the Arganda Bridge; right: Taberna Garibaldi, which hosted the Cuba Solidarity fundraising social.

Sunday is rarely a ‘free day’ for us in Madrid but on this occasion, a large number of us were able to attend a glorious Cuba Solidarity Fundraising Social at the stupendous Taberna Garibaldi in the Calle de Miguel Servet. Even Hamish sang. Twice. This venue will surely establish itself as a firm favourite at future ‘Jarama March’ expeditions. With next year being the 90th anniversary of Jarama, an even larger IBMT contingent should be anticipated.

Special mention must be made of the outstanding compassion and solidarity shown to one of our group, who fell ill on the Friday at Tarancón, by Pablo Hernández and his partner Xiomara. This included travelling with our comrade and his wife to the clinic in Tarancón, then to the hospital in Cuenca, staying with them until he was discharged, then ferrying them both back to Madrid.

Photos: Lorraine and Gerry McGarry

AABI (the Madrid-based Association of Friends of the International Brigades) has confirmed the plans for the 18th annual commemoration of the Battle of Jarama. You can find the full programme of AABI events on its website.

Friday 20 February – Ciudad Universitaria visit
– Route: following in the footsteps of the French Commune de Paris Battalion
– Meeting point: Paseo de Moret, Intercambiador de Moncloa exit
– Start time: 10.30am
– Duration: 1.5 hours approximately
– Tickets: the trip is limited to 50 people. You must register on the AABI website.

OR

Friday 20 February – IBMT Tarancón visit
Several IBMT comrades and others based in Scotland, as well as those from FIBI (Friends of the International Brigades in Ireland), are again planning to take a separate coach from Madrid to Tarancón on Friday morning to take part in the annual commemoration at the memorials in the municipal cemetery.

The commemoration will remember the 39 Scots who fell at Jarama, Tarancón’s civilian victims of the Franco dictatorship, those from the town who fell serving with Spain’s Republican forces and those Internationals and Spanish Republicans who died while being treated in the town’s hospitals.

The event will be hosted by ARMH Cuenca, the local historical memory association. 

Email Mike Arnott at scotland@international-brigades.org.uk for more information.

Saturday 21 February – Jarama march
AABI’s 18thannual Jarama march will commemorate the role of the French Commune de Paris Battalion, part of the 11th Brigade. Expect a sizeable contingent from ACER, the French Friends of the International Brigades.

– 9.00am: Buses will leave Hotel Agumar, Calle Reina Cristina 7. Please show your email confirmation to board a bus.
– 10.15am: March begins.
– Meeting point:  El Alto restaurant carpark.
– 10.15am-11.45am: Guide Miguel Ángel García will trace the steps of the French Commune de Paris Battalion, explaining the key moments of the battle.
– 11.45am: Bus transfer and visit to Arganda bridge. There will also be time to visit the memorial to Brigader Charlie Donnelly in Miralrio Park, Rivas-Vaciamadrid.
– 1.45pm: Transfer to a restaurant in Rivas-Vaciamadrid.
– 2pm-4.30pm: Lunch at Rincon de Martin restaurant.
– 6pm: Arrival back at Hotel Agumar in Madrid.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from the AABI website:
– Jarama bus: €20 (additional €20 pre-sale ticket required – see AABI website for minimum capacity terms)
– Jarama lunch: €25

Those interested in attending are reminded that they will have to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. A number of those from the IBMT will be staying at the Hostal Persal, Plaza del Ángel 12, Madrid 28012 (www.hostalpersal.com/en/).

For those interested in the AABI events, please monitor the AABI website (www.brigadasinternacionales.org/) for updates. 

For those interested in the alternative Friday trip to Tarancón, email Mike Arnott at scotland@international-brigades.org.uk.

February saw the annual commemorations organised by AABI, the Madrid-based Asociación de Amigos de las Brigadas Internacionales (Friends of the International Brigades), with events in Madrid, Tarrancón and Jarama. Below is a small selection of images from the events. To see more photos, go to the AABI website.

On Friday 21 February, supporters travelled to Tarranón for an event organised by IBMT and ARMH Cuenca to remember the Scottish volunteers, especially William Crawford and Allan Craig.

The memorial to William Crawford.
Photo: Mike Arnott.

The memorial to Brigader Alan Crawford and all the Scottish volunteers who died at Jarama.
Photo: Mike Arnott.

The Jarama march took place on Saturday 22 February. This year, the route followed the Lincoln Battalion’s steps and stopped at the memorial to the American volunteers.

Megan Dobney (left) and Lorene Fabian carrying the IBMT banner.
Photo: Dave Rennie.

Andy Jones (left) carrying the Scottish banner.
Photo: Dave Rennie.

Two reenactors on the march in clothing from the civil-war era.
Photo: Dave Rennie.

A supporter carrying the flag of the Spanish Republic on the 2025 Jarama march.
Photo: Dave Rennie.

Eighty-eight years on, young and old pay homage to the sacrifices of British Brigaders, writes Robert Hargreaves…

Uniforms neatly pressed, boots polished, and standing perfectly to attention, Tom Wintringham, commanding officer of the British Battalion at the Battle of Jarama, a stickler for discipline, would have been proud of them. 

The Lost Sons of Albion, dedicated volunteers committed to preserving the memory of brave anti-fascists from Britain and Ireland, were proudly on parade at Manchester’s annual Jarama commemoration.

Expert on the history of the battle, and armed with a fascinating collection of artefacts, the re-enactment enthusiasts – Tom Conyard, Ethan Harvey, John Conyard, Tom Whitfield, Rory Pratt and Charles McKnight – formed a special attraction at a packed commemoration in the city’s Central Library. 

The Lost Sons of Albion re-enactment group.

The lads, who between them, demonstrate an impressive historical knowledge of the British Battalion, contributed to a moving event, focussing on contributions from stalwart IBMT member Stuart Walsh and university researcher Jude Percival on the theme of medical aid and help to the beleaguered people of the Spanish Republic.

Faced with the onslaught of Franco’s fascist forces, supplied with arms and aircraft by Mussolini and Hitler, it fell to the 600 members of the newly formed and inexperienced British Battalion to hold the line and help save Madrid from Franco’s forces. More than 250 were killed and many more were wounded.

IBMT member Stuart Walsh acknowledging the support for Spain from North East Lancashire.

Lisa Croft and Paul Ward introduced the speakers and set the scene for fascinating insights into medical aid and help for the Spanish people. Stuart stressed the tremendous generosity and hard work of people in his native North East Lancashire, as they raised money for food ships through dances, jumble sales and public meetings.

University researcher Jude Percival speaking about Spanish Medical Aid.

Jude outlined the massive contribution made through Spanish Medical Aid, including the work of doctors and nurses, and the supply of fully-equipped ambulances. The Manchester and District Spanish Medical Aid Committee which covered the cotton towns of South East Lancashire arranged a tour of a field ambulance that was built by workers of Blake Motors and paid for by funds from people in Rossendale.

It was described at the time as 'a concrete expression of Lancashire’s sympathy with a suffering people'. By the end of 1937, the local committee had sent five fully-equipped ambulances, while still appealing for clothing, tinned milk and bandages. 

Giulia Sirigu of Manchester’s Partito Democratico.

Attendees also heard expressions of anti-fascist solidarity from a representative of Partido Comunista de Espana, together with Giulia Sirigu of Manchester’s Partito Democratico and members of the Italian Partizan group. A rousing rendition of Bandiera Rossa by the Bolton Socialist Choir further emphasised the mood of international solidarity.

The Bolton Socialist Choir performing at the event.

Preceding a minute’s silence, Paul Ward and Stephanie Turner read out the names of 14 greater Manchester men killed at Jarama, and wreaths were laid at the memorial situated in the library. 

As always the occasion was graced by the Manchester Group’s eye-catching illustrated panels on the walls of the library’s performance space, with this year’s display being enhanced by items of British Battalion memorabilia – some genuine, some replica – such as blankets, uniforms, belts, flags and identification cards, even genuine Spanish Republic banknotes, brought along by The Lost Sons of Albion. The unit, by the way, takes its name from the opening lines in The Young’uns version of ¡Ay Carmela!

‘We are the lost sons of Albion,
The men of the British Battalion,
There is no golden path to glory,
Ay Carmela, Ay Carmela!’ 

Like the song itself, the infusion of enthusiasm from these young’uns is a very welcome sign for the Trust. If you would like them to put on a show at your upcoming event they can be contacted at Thelostsons1937@gmail.com.

With the 2025 Jarama commemorations fast approaching, we revisit Mike Arnott's article in the IBMT Newsletter from July 2013 about the unveiling of a plaque in Tarancón to remember the Scots killed at the Battle of Jarama. This year, supporters will especially remember the recently passed Allan Craig Jr, son of Brigader Allan Craig. 

In October 2011 Allan Craig planted an olive tree and placed a temporary plaque in the cemetery in Tarancón in memory of his father, also called Allan Craig, of Glasgow. He was wounded at the Battle of Jarama on 17 February 1937 and died in the No.1 American Hospital in Tarancón five days later.

International Brigader Allan Craig, who died during the Battle of Jarama in 1937.

Research has shown that Allan’s father was then buried in the local cemetery. Apparently, the remains of the Republican dead were removed in the 1970s but were subsequently reburied within its walls at the spot near where the olive tree was planted. Allan was keen to ensure that the plaque made mention not only of his father but also all the 39 Scots who fell at Jarama.

Just over a year later, the cemetery was visited by the Crawford brothers, whose grandfather William from Glasgow had fallen at Jarama and was named on the plaque. They had arranged to meet Máximo Molina from the local Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory, who had helped Allan get permission for the olive tree and plaque the year before.

They found that the plaque had disappeared, though a photo of Allan Craig Snr and the olive tree remained. So a campaign was launched to raise money for a permanent replacement plaque. A number of individual Dundee trade unionists and the Dundee Trades Union Council made contributions, as subsequently did members of the Crawford and Craig families.

The memorial at the unveiling in 2013. The Crawford family placed the cross with a poppy for their grandfather while members of the local community left flowers.

Plans were then made to commission a new plaque and to take it over to Madrid to coincide with the annual Jarama commemoration in February 2013, organised by AABI, the Spanish friends of the International Brigades. With help from AABI and from Máximo in Tarancón, arrangements were made to unveil the new plaque at an event in the cemetery on 17 February, coincidentally the 76th anniversary of Allan Craig being wounded at Jarama. A group of 25 travelled from Madrid that Sunday morning, accompanied by AABI representative Almudena Cros, arriving at noon to be met by Máximo and a number of his comrades.

I said a few words and also read Dundee activist Mary Brooksbank’s poem 'Graves in Spain'. Mary and the three Craig brothers had been arrested together in Dundee in 1931 after a protest against the Unemployed Assistance Board. Máximo read translations of two Spanish poems, and Almudena and Allan also spoke briefly but movingly.