Skip to main content
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

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).

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Lynne Walsh piece webpic.jpg
Features / 22 April 2025
22 April 2025

LYNNE WALSH previews the Bristol Radical History Conference this weekend

REMARKABLE: The Danish writer Karen Blixen as a recipient of
International Women's Day 2025 / 8 March 2025
8 March 2025
With most of recorded history dominated by the voices of men, LYNNE WALSH encourages sisters to read the memoirs of women – and to write their own too
International Women's Day 2025 / 8 March 2025
8 March 2025
LYNNE WALSH attempts to unravel the latest advice from local authorities on tackling violence against women and girls
A unit of the Bulgarian International Brigade, 1937
Features / 25 January 2025
25 January 2025
Anti-fascists from around the world will soon be travelling to Spain to commemorate the International Brigades and walk in the footsteps of the bravest of their generation, writes LYNNE WALSH
Similar stories
A unit of the Bulgarian International Brigade, 1937
Features / 25 January 2025
25 January 2025
Anti-fascists from around the world will soon be travelling to Spain to commemorate the International Brigades and walk in the footsteps of the bravest of their generation, writes LYNNE WALSH
EARLY ANTI-FASCISM: Red Front Fighters' League (RFB) lead by
Books / 15 August 2024
15 August 2024
JIM JUMP draws attention to a history of the German contribution to the International Brigades, and the post-war destiny of the volunteers
The entrance to the Eisteddfod festival 2024
Features / 11 August 2024
11 August 2024
MEIC BIRTWISTLE wanders through an exhibition that captures the soul of the Valleys, past and present, as Archdruids rub shoulders with Cuban ambassadors in Pontypridd
LESSONS OF THE PAST: PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote ad
Features / 7 July 2024
7 July 2024
This year’s International Brigade Memorial Trust commemoration took on an urgent tone, with warnings of ‘terrifying wave of fascism’ in Europe drawing parallels between 1930s Spain and today, reports LYNNE WALSH