International Brigade Memorial Trust
The International Brigade Memorial Trust keeps alive the memory and spirit of the 2,500 men and women from Britain and Ireland who volunteered to defend democracy and fight fascism in Spain during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39. We also remember those who supported the volunteers and the cause of the Spanish Republic at home.
We bring together families, friends and admirers of the International Brigades, along with historians, labour movement activists and all others who share an interest in the exceptional story of the International Brigades.
The IBMT organises and supports educational, cultural and commemorative events around the country, including three annual events: the Len Crome memorial lecture / conference, the London commemoration in July and the Trust's Annual General Meeting in October. We assist students, academics and others researching the International Brigades and the Spanish Civil War and promote the preservation of archives about the volunteers. Through the IBMT magazine, our website and new media platforms we keep members and the wider public informed about developments concerning the memory and legacy of the International Brigades.
We also ensure that the more than 100 memorials in the British Isles to the volunteers – 526 of whom were killed in Spain – are maintained in good order and, where appropriate, new ones are erected.
The IBMT was founded in 2001 when members of the veterans’ organisation, the International Brigade Association, and members of the Friends of the International Brigades decided to merge to form a single organisation.
We are a registered charity and rely on membership subscriptions and donations to finance our activities.
Copies of our constitution, election standing orders, equal opportunities policy and privacy policy can be downloaded here:
We encourage local International Brigade commemorative groups to affiliate to us. Here are our guidelines on local groups:
Pauline Fraser, one of the founding members of Friends of the International Brigades, has written a complete history of that organisation which laid the foundations for the IBMT:
IBMT Executive Committee / Trustees
Mike Arnott (Scotland Secretary) scotland@international-brigades.org.uk
David Chanter
Paul Coles (Treasurer) treasurer@international-brigades.org.uk
Megan Dobney (Secretary) secretary@international-brigades.org.uk
Alex Gordon
Jonathan Havard
Jim Jump (Chair) chair@international-brigades.org.uk
Denis Lenihan
Alan Lloyd
Dolores Long
David McKnight (Wales Secretary) wales@international-brigades.org.uk
Luke O'Riordan (jobshare with Lynda Walker for Ireland Secretary)
Lynda Walker (jobshare with Luke O'Riordan for Ireland Secretary)
For general inquiries contact the IBMT Executive Officer Helen Oclee-Brown:
admin@international-brigades.org.uk
Founding Chair
Professor Sir Paul Preston
Founder President
Marlenę Sidaway
Historical Consultant
Richard Baxell
Patrons
Professor Peter Crome
Professor Helen Graham
Ken Livingstone
Len McCluskey
Christy Moore
Jack O’Connor
Maxine Peake
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon
Mick Whelan
