Waterford commemoration for Irish Brigade

by iosaf Wed Jul 14, 2004 23:12

Erected to the memory of those Waterford men who fought in defence of the Spanish Republic in the ranks of the XV International Brigade 1936-1938

Frank Edwards Barrack Street.
Jackie Hunt New Street.
Johnny Kelly Barrack Street.
Harry Kennedy Cooke Street.
Jackie Lemon Olaf Street.
Peter O’Connor Poleberry & Parnell St.
John O’Shea Kilmeadan.
Johnny Power Newtown.
Paddy Power Newtown.
Willie Power Newtown.
Mossie Quinlan South Parade, killed in action on the Jarama front.

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Jarama linked Madrid to the rest of Republican Spain and what was arguably it's heartland the newly formed constituent republic of Catalonia. Franco failed to take Madrid in 1937 and turned his attention on cutting the Jarama road link.
on February 11th 1937, 40,000 fascist soldiers crossed the Jarama river, and launched their attack on the republicans who occupied the other side of the valley.
Those defensive positions became known as "suicide hill". 7000 republicans died in the ensuing battle amongst them 440 volunteers of the British and Irish battalions.

No waterford volunteer has survived to see the plaque.

Peter O’Connor, from Parnell Street, was the last of the group to pass away in 1999. The former member of Waterford Corporation recounted his experiences in the civil war in his book, A Soldier of Liberty.

His grand nephew is indeed, Cllr Seamus Ryan (Labour) the current mayor of Waterford.

No Pasaran!

by CóB Thu Jul 15, 2004 03:13 citizenarmy at hotmail dot com

The page has been updated with corrected information, a newspaper article and link to La Pasionaria's speech to the International Brigaders (which was read out at the event).

By the way, Jim if you're willing I can host the photos you took on the page as well.