317 Pages
ISBN 978-1-917120-60-9
Colour Images
 
Remember Me to My Comrades is a series of uniquely personal accounts by International Brigade volunteers during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) alongside a historical narration of their involvement.
 
Author Michael Crowley and researcher Tony Fox, through the generosity of descendants, have quarried letters and diaries from a fascinating selection of the 2,500 British Brigade volunteers who fought Franco’s army against overwhelming odds. Material that, through their own words, transports us into the hearts and minds of the combatants, including those who never returned. Letters about the decision to volunteer, the rigours of the journey, battalion life, and the explanations to loved ones back home. The persuasive not to worry letters, the upbeat letters that begin, ‘Revolutionary Greetings from Barcelona’ and those that end, ‘Remember Me to My Comrades.’ There is a wealth of historical material here, but above all, this is a compelling and highly poignant publication.
 
‘I'm sure you'll realise that I should never have been satisfied had I not assisted. Only my hatred of fascism brought me here.’
Oldham volunteer, Clem Becket, from his final letter to his wife. February 1937.
 
‘Then the ‘day’ arrived, and we were to go to the front. How the boys perked up, eager and ready for the smack at fascism. The ride up to the front in a train and lorries. Crawling through the night, 36 of us to a lorry, singing you know what. Of the days that followed, I find it hard to write about. You see, Mick, all of my pals were either killed or wounded.’
Manchester volunteer Maurice Levine, February 1937.