Place of birth: Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
Year of birth: 22nd April 1917
Political organisation: CP
Occupation: Royal Navy medic.
Date of arrival: 2nd October 1936 - joined BB 30th July 1937
Date of departure: 3rd August 1938
Date of death: 28th October 1982 - Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales
Comments: Family address at "Fairview", Gomeldon, Salisbury, Wilts. Known in Spain as James Albrighton. Discharged from the RN in 1936 after a "deck court martial on HMS Pembroke for sedition, propaganda and talk". According to his autobiography, he went to a 'military type of school' where he learnt to use a machine-gun. Enrolled in Spanish Republican Army in the Muerte es Maestro Centuria where he fought at Casa del Campo and Boadilla. Later joined 14th IB and fought along side the No 1 Co. of the BB. However, RGASPI material states he didn't arrive until 30 July 1937. Likewise, Sam Lesser has no recollection of meeting him at Lopera. Assessment: 'Weak.'
In 1939 he was sentenced to three years in Borstal for larceny. He quickly joined the Merchant Navy and served with distinction 1939-42.
Source: IBA Box D-7 File A/1 & Box 50 Files A2/12 & L RGASPI 545/6/39/65 & 545/6/91/118 & 545/6/101/2-11. NA KV5/117/DSCF2270.
Liverpool Echo - 26 July 1939 p5.
Liverpool Echo -6 October 1939 p10.
