I Fought for Canada in Spain

By LIEUT. WM. KARDASHI ‘ .

HEN the first news of the International Brigade defending Madrid reached me, my desire to go to Spain began to grow. To give my service, and life,

if necessary, for the cause of progressive mankind,

was the most noble act I could perform. To. prevent the slaughter of human lives in the world, to save pro-

- gress and democracy from ruin and dark years of re- .

action, inspired and strengthened my desire to go to

Spain. .

Born and bred in Saskatchewan in a small farming community, I learned, from my boyhood, of the poverty and hardships in Canadian farm life. Ever since I can remember, I worked on my father’s farm’. He wanted me to become a teacher, but he lacked the means {to realize his ambitions. At the age of 14 years, in 1926, I started my public activities as an organizer for

p the Wheat Pool of Saskatchewan. What free time I , had, I devoted to reading and study. That is how I

became acquainted With, and took an active interest in, jpublic affairs.

A feeling rose in me thatthe fight in Spain was of '

greatpconcernl to the people of my country, and that

the greatest service I could render it, was to go to‘,

Spain and help defeat fascism.

I reached Valencia on a boat on May 26th, 1987. ~h e “We were to leave the next day for the Tank Base- c

There were forty-‘three tanks in the camp. Some of them had been in action at J arama and Guadalajara,

‘where the Italian troops established a record for speed. a They retreated so fast that it was difficult at times

for the Government troops to catch‘ up with them. p