Group    From 1936  To 1938

International Brigades

Categories: Armed Forces

Countries: Spain

A military uprising in Spain in July 1936 was assisted by Hitler and Mussolini. The elected Spanish Republican government pleaded for help from France and Britain but, as part of the appeasement philosophy, this was denied. Many people across Europe were so appalled and worried that Spain might fall to the Fascists that they volunteered to fight alongside the Republicans. The Comintern (Communist International) organised these foreign volunteers into International Brigades.  It was estimated that between 30,000 and 35,000 people were involved in the Brigades.  More than 2,300 volunteers came from Britain, Ireland and the commonwealth, of who over 500 were killed. The majority were working-class and members of the Communist Party.

A Non-Intervention Committee had been set up by many European countries, with the aim of preventing personnel and supplies reaching the warring parties. In October 1938, this committee ordered the withdrawal of the brigades, while at the same time turning a blind eye to the support that Germany and Italy were giving to the Nationalist side.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
International Brigades

Commemorated ati

Hammersmith and Fulham International Brigade

{Front of memorial:} International Brigade In honour of the volunteers who le...

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International Brigade

The quote “they went….other way” is a paraphrase of two lines from C. Day Lew...

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Tower Hamlets International Brigade

'No Pasaran' translates from Spanish as 'they shall not pass'.

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Other Subjects

A. Bridgman

A. Bridgman

Resident of Willesden who volunteered and died in the Anglo Boer War, 1899-1900.

Person, Armed Forces, South Africa

War dead, Other war
1 memorial
Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell, VC

Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell, VC

Awarded the VC for his heroism on 29-30 August 1915, age 30, while serving in the 10th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force. "Although severely wounded he refused to leave his post until...

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
E. Rhodes

E. Rhodes

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
Lance Corporal Ernest George Arnold

Lance Corporal Ernest George Arnold

Ernest George Arnold was born on 26 April 1889 in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, the second of the six children of Thomas Arnold (1859-1928) and Ellen Arnold née Pateman (1861-1934). The birth of Er...

Person, Armed Forces, France

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
G. Meldrum

G. Meldrum

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial