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A poster from the Spanish Civil War |
Bob the brigadista’s fight against Franco’s Fascists
Bob Doyle recalls his days fighting in the Spanish Civil War – and his secret missions there after 1945 writes Illtyd Harrington
BOB Doyle, at 90, comes across more as the enfant terrible of the Left rather than its Peter Pan.
An incorrigible rebel, an intrepid man, a non-conforming Stalinist who joined that Real Band of brothers and sisters in the International Brigade. Around 35,000 volunteers from 53 countries organised to face a challenge from the forces of reaction and to support the legitimate government of Republican Spain.
On July 8, 1936 that odious fascist General Franco was aided by Hitler and Mussolini in his war against democracy. Italy actually sends 50,000 troops to Spain. Meanwhile Britain and France signed a non-intervention pact making it illegal for their nationals to go and join the Spanish in their fight.
Bob found his own way their through dangerous and sometimes farcical situations. Thus began his life-long affair with Spain. He married Lola a Spaniard in London in 1944.
He was born into a Dublin which experienced dire poverty and where the Roman Catholic Church practised a harsh tenet of absolute obedience and whose often brutal care children were placed or fostered out. One of five children, Bob experience the worst aspects of being a child labourer on remote farms.
He later joined the IRA and mastered the techniques of the gun and the bomb. Whilst his fellow Catholics bellowed “Faith of Our Fathers” or bleated to “Jesus Heart or Burning”, Bob’s hymn became the Communist Internationale. Militant RCs wore red poppies. Bob and his friends Easter Lilies – commemorating the failed 1916 uprising in Dublin.
Captured by Franco’s men he endured with admirable stoicism the prison of San Pedro in Burgos, a monastery converted into a place of intimidation and fear. This is a unique account of historic significance about this hellhole.
Even the Labour Party took an unconscionable time going along with the myth that Spain was being ruled by the Communist Party. It was the dress rehearsal for World War II. No better evidence was offered than the ferocious bombing of the capital of Basque Gurnica. For on April 26, 1937 the blitz by German and Italian bombers killed 1,600 people and injured 900. In three years time London and other European cities suffered from this deadly punitive exercise.
Bob’s post-1945 clandestine missions to Spain may not make him the Red Pimpernel but they are daring and never without humour.
He went on the become a leader in the print union grandiosely titled Imperial Father of the Chapel.
A high-powered orator, a fearless anti-racist, a grower and blatant advocate of the benefits of cannabis and brave and free-spirit he infuriated the more staid communists. His narrative is energetic, but often I’m afraid to say, very vain. But the narrative comes across very clearly.
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