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

Sir Richard Browne

Sir Richard Browne

Parliamentarian army officer and Lord Mayor of London.  Born London (according to the ODNB though the picture source disagrees).  Died Essex.

Person, Armed Forces, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Arthur Moore Lascelles, VC

Arthur Moore Lascelles, VC

He was an acting captain in the Durham Light Infantry, when on 3rd December 1917, Masnieres, France he was faced with a heavy bombardment. Although wounded he continued to encourage his men until t...

Person, Armed Forces, France

War dead, WW1
2 memorials
A. Jarman

A. Jarman

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

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
A. Greenwood

A. Greenwood

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
Sir Michael Beetham

Sir Michael Beetham

Marshal of the Royal Air Force, GCB, CBE, DFC, AFC, President of the Bomber Command Association.  Born London. He died, aged 92 years, on 24 October 2015 in Fakenham, Norfolk, according to his obi...

Person, Armed Forces

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Polish Heritage Society

Polish Heritage Society

Exists to remember, record and propagate among the wider British public the contribution of Poles to our shared, common cultural and historical heritage within the United Kingdom.

Group, Community / Clubs, History, Poland

4 memorials
English Heritage

English Heritage

English Heritage (officially the English Heritage Trust) is a charity that manages over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places. These include prehistoric sites, medieval castles, Roman forts,...

Group, Architecture, History, Property

417 memorials
Rugby Football Union

Rugby Football Union

Created when delegates from 22 clubs met at the Pall Mall Restaurant and rules were drawn up based on those of Rugby School.

Group, Sport / Games

1 memorial
Westminster City Council

Westminster City Council

The ancient parish of St Margaret's was divided into St Margaret's and St John's in 1727 but it was still run as a single vestry. In 1855 the two parishes were reformed into the Westminster Distric...

Group, Politics & Administration

183 memorials