Situated at the Burry Port Memorial Hall, at Parc y Minos Street, is a memorial plaque to the Welshmen of the International Brigade who were killed during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Civil War was fought from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939 between the Republicans, who were loyal to the established Spanish Republic, and the Nationalists, a rebel group led by General Franco. Germany sent its Condor Legion to Spain to fight for the Nationalists, while International Brigades were formed to support the Republicans. Amongst the members of the International Brigade were many British men, who believed that they were fighting against Fascism. With the might of the Germans behind them, the Nationalists prevailed, and Franco ruled Spain until his death in 1975. 33 Welshmen gave their lives in the fight against Fascism, and the men are commemorated on this plaque. I have also added the places and dates where the men were killed, as well as two more Welshmen who are missing from the memorial.
COFEB RHYFEL CARTREF SBAEN SPANISH CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL
1936 – 1939
“The barricades stretch from Madrid to Tonypandy to Maerdy”
La Pasionaria, 1937
To the immortal memory of the Welshmen who with their comrades of Spain and of many nations in the rank of International Brigades gave their lives in support of the heroic struggle of the Spanish Republic against fascism.
William Coles, Cardiff (Killed at Jarama, 1937)
Alec Cummings, Tonypandy (Killed at Ebro, September 1938)
Harold Davies, Neath (Killed at Jarama, 14 February 1937)
William J. Davies, Gilfach Goch (Killed at Brunete, July 1937)
Harry Dobson, Blaenclydach (Killed at Hill 481, Gandesa, 1 August 1938)
William Francis Durston, Aberaman (Killed at Ebro, 25 August 1938)
Victoriano Esteban, Abercrave (Killed at Brunete, 1937)
George Ernest Fretwell, Penygroes (Killed at Jarama, 12 February 1937)
Sid Hamm, Cardiff (Killed at Brunete, July 1937)
Jack Harris, Llanelli (Killed at Jarama, 2 April 1937)
Richard Horridge, Swansea (Killed at Brunete, 1937)
Sidney Lloyd Jones (Killed at Chapineria 17 October 1936)
Sidney James, Treherbert (Killed at Sierra Pandols, 19 September 1938)
David Joseph Jones, Llwynypia (Killed at Jarama, 13 February 1937)
R. Jamadeesis, Cardiff (Killed Unknown)
Tom Howell Jones, Aberdare (Killed at Ebro, 25 August 1938)
A. Ledbury, Swansea (Killed at Ebro, July 1938) (Not on Memorial)
Arthur Morris, Cardigan (Killed at Jarama, 27 February 1937)
Sam Morris, Ammanford (Killed at Brunete, July 1937)
William Morris, Llanelli (Killed at Brunete, July 1937)
Dan Murphy, Cardiff (Killed at Gandesa, April 1938)
Frank Owen, Maerdy (Killed at Brunete, July 1937)
Tom Picton, Treherbert (Killed as POW at Bilbao, April 1938)
Roman Rodriguez, Dowlais (Killed at Brunete, July 1937)
James Scott, Swansea (Killed at Caspe, March 1938)
Alwyn Skinner, Neath (Killed at Jarama, 1938)
Baden Skinner, Tredegar & Canada (Killed Unknown)
James P. Strangward, Onllywyn (Killed at Hill 481, Gandesa, August 1938)
Gilbert Taylor, Cardiff (Killed at Calaceite, April 1938)
Jack Donald Taylor, Swansea (Killed at Jarama, 12 Feb 1937) (Not on Memorial)
Brazell Thomas, Llanelli (Killed at Grandesa, Ebro, 30 July 1938)
Robert Traill, Cardiff (Killed at Villanueva de la Cañada, 7 July 1937)
James Watts, Swansea (Killed at Ebro, August 1938)
Fred White, Ogmore Vale (Killed at Villanueva de la Cañada, 6 July 1937)
John E. Williams, Ammanford (Killed at Brunete, July 1937) (Not on Memorial)
Frank Zamora, Abercrave (Killed at Teruel, 18/19 January 1938)
CORDOBA – JARAMA – BRUNETE – BELCHITE – SARAGOSSA – TERUEL – ARAGON – GANDESA (2) – EBRO
This plaque was unveiled on 27th of February of 1997 by Evan Jones of Burry Port who served in the International Brigade during the conflict, returning home after being seriously wounded in the Battle of the Ebro.