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Regional secretary with the National Education Union
A new tribute to the volunteers for liberty in Spain
LYNNE WALSH tells the story of the Welsh international brigaders featured on a new banner that had its first outing last weekend
A new banner honouring the Welsh volunteers who fought in the Spanish civil war had its first outing on Saturday July 3 at the annual commemoration organised by the International Brigade Memorial Trust. Pictured in front of the banner are actors Thelma Ruby (left) and Marlene Sidaway, whose partners, Peter Frye and David Marshall, both fought in Spain [Andrew Wiard]

WHEN miner Tom Jones of north Wales told his family, one morning in 1937, that he was off to Colwyn Bay for the weekend, they had no idea of his real mission.

Jones did not head for the sleepy holiday resort some 50 miles away from his home village of Rhosllanerchrugog. He made the risky, and highly illegal, journey to Spain, as a member of the International Brigades determined to take on the fascist forces of General Franco.

He is one of three volunteers for liberty featured on a striking new banner unveiled in London recently, as part of the annual commemoration held by the International Brigade Memorial Trust (IBMT).

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