the International Volunteers in Spain but from the Whole anti—Fascist

“Johnny” Gates came to the Base after seven months continuous front-line service with the 86th Brigade on the Cordova front. Extracts from Lieutenant-Colonel Morandi’s letter of credentials to him will serve here as an appreciation of his worth. The letter reads in part:

“John Gates was one of the organisers of the 20th International Bat- talion that left the Base on March 20, 1937... He was the political and organisational spirit of the English—speaking Company which in all the battles on the Pozoblanco front demonstrated great fighting courage and a truly anti—Fascist spirit... He was given a special mission by the mili—t tary command that he accomplished with brilliant capacity and a ge- nuine spirit of sacrifice... As a special honour he was proposed as Bri- gade Political Commissar. While waiting for the official appointment he Was designated Adjutant Political Commissar... His transfer to more important Work is keenly felt by the Brigade because We lose in John Gates a true comrade and an excellent Commissar.”

‘K

A chapter on the building of the Brigade would be incomplete With- out a reference to the organisations in the home countries which are ac- tively Working to assist their comrades in Spain, to supply them with those necessaries that are scanty or unavailable in a country at Wa-r, and which also make every effort to ensure that the dependants of men who have given their lives or who are disabled shall not Want.

In the United States the Friends of the Lincoln Battalion, in Canada the Friends of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion, in Great Britain the Dependants’ Aid Committee, in Ireland the Friends of the Spanish Re- public—— a tribute of gratitude goes to those organisations not only from

people. y D. A. G