75th anniversary of Spanish Brigade

We are entering a period when many significant (mainly military) centenaries will be celebrated — the motivations, commitment and sacrifice of those involved now universally acknowledged in their native country.

The recent pardon of ‘deserters’ was one further step to conclusion.

However, there occurs this week (Jun 21) the 75th anniversary of the return to Ireland of a brigade of 654 men; the very last combatant (as opposed to peace-keeping) Irish unit to partake in a foreign conflict.

More than 5,000 Irish men volunteered to go to the Spanish Civil War at the request of the Catholic Carlist brigades who supported the Nationalist coalition responding to the widespread destruction of Church property and the murder of 7,000 clergy.

May the men (and the women nurses) of the 15th Irish Bandera rest in peace — their duty done, and perhaps while one remains may he know that they are remembered less unkindly than popular myth allows.

Ted Neville

Douglas

Co Cork