Gideon and Dolores Long gave a talk on their forebears' Sam Wild and Bessie Berry's involvement in the Spanish Civil War and the Aid to Spain movement …

At a well-attended event at the Instituto Cervantes Manchester on 19 March, Gideon Long and Dolores Long gave a talk on Sam Wild and Bessie Berry and their involvement in the Spanish Civil War and the Aid to Spain movement.

Gideon and Dolores Long speaking about their family connections. Photo: Instituto Cervantes Manchester.

Gideon is the grandson and Dolores the daughter of Sam and Bessie. In the conversation they talked about Sam and Bessie's upbringing in Manchester,  Sam's time in the Royal Navy and then in Spain with the International Brigade.

Gideon talked about Sam's decision to go to Spain, his recruitment, the journey to Spain and the battles Sam was involved in, including the Battle of the Ebro, the last battle the British Brigaders fought in.

Dolores talked of her mother's active involvement in politics and the Aid to Spain movement in Manchester. 

Dolores Long (in purple) and Gideon Long. Photos: Robbie MacDonald.

Please note that the event was recorded and will be posted on the Instituto Cervantes Manchester's YouTube channel – the link will be shared here as soon as the video goes live.

The flyer from the event featuring photos from Sam Wild and Bessie Berry's lives.