Michael Crowley

Michael Crowley is a writer and dramatist; the author of two novels, two poetry collections, numerous plays, and non-fiction. He is also artistic director of the Brutish Multitude Theatre Company.

He was formerly a youth justice worker, a writer in residence in a young offender’s institution, and a lecturer in creative writing at Sheffield Hallam University. He was born and raised in South Oxhey, north of London, south of Watford. He now lives in West Yorkshire.

Remember Me to My Comrades: Letters of the International Brigade

The election of the Republican Government in Spain in April of 1936 sparked a military uprising, led by General Francisco Franco, in July. His victory is expected to be swift. But the Republican Army rallies, and ordinary people arm themselves. When fascist Italy and Nazi Germany send troops and arms to support Franco, a call is made for volunteers to come to Spain to fight for the Republic.

Around 35,000 men from 53 countries joined the International Brigades, including 2,550 from Britain and Ireland. Women also served, mainly as nurses. While many volunteers were politically active individuals, many were unaligned and merely wanted to oppose fascism. As Clem Beckett from Oldham wrote home to his sweetheart:

“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.”

Remember Me to My Comrades takes us into the Spanish Civil War through the letters of those who fought for the International Brigades. It is a unique and personal account comprising the voices of those who survived and those who gave their lives. Maurice Levine was a clothing worker from Manchester.

“Then the ‘day’ arrived 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.”  

Of 2,550, 540 were killed, and the majority of the rest were wounded. This absorbing publication, rigorously researched with the support of Tony Fox, follows the survivors home and onto the battlefields of the Second World War, tracing Spain's impact on their lives.