Dozens of people gathered in Aberdeen for the
unveiling of a plaque commemorating the north-east men who fought
fascism in the Spanish civil war.
A total of 19 men from the area volunteered with the International Brigades during the conflict in the 1930s.
The plaque was previously on display in the Aberdeen Music Hall, but was removed during the recent £9million renovation work.
But now, thanks to lobbying by, amongst others, Tommy Campbell of the ATUC and the International Brigade Memorial Trust, it has gained pride of place again in
front of a crowd including representatives of the International Bridge
Memorial Trust and the families of those who went to fight.
The north-east men were among 2,500 volunteers from
the British Isles who joined the voluntary effort to contest fascist
General Franco.
She shared letters which Archie Dewar had sent from
the front and told the audience of her experiences in tracing her
ancestor’s steps to where he was killed. Mr Dewar died, aged just 28, at the battle of Ebro on March 17, 1938.
But Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Barney Crockett, said the youngster’s death was deserving of a bravery medal.
He added: “If it had been in the British Army
rather than the volunteers in Spain he would have got a very significant
honour for what he did.
“While wounded, he kept firing his machine gun to allow others to retreat.
“He really sacrificed himself to save other people.”
Mr Crockett praised
Aberdeen’s effort in the Spanish civil war. He said: “Proportionately, we had more volunteers than nearly anywhere else.
“The city did so much to support the republic and it was a movement about fighting for democracy.
These men were pioneers, they were men who started that whole movement to hold back fascism.”
For more photos go to ATUC Facebook page
All photos courtesy of Aberdeen City Council photographer Norman Adams.
For more photos go to ATUC Facebook page
All photos courtesy of Aberdeen City Council photographer Norman Adams.