A memorial is planned for Huddersfield to commemorate six local men who fought in the Spanish Civil War … and three of them never returned.

With more than 100 such memorials across the UK there are now plans for a plaque to remember volunteers from Kirklees who went into battle during the war which raged from 1936 to 1939.

The plan is supported by Huddersfield Trades Union Council and a fundraising appeal will be started to cover the costs. The TUC also wants to hear from any relatives of the men or anyone who has more information about them.

In all, 35,000 volunteers joined the International Brigades to defend the Spanish Popular Front government against a fascist army uprising led by the brutal dictator Franco.

Many were killed and the Spanish Civil War was a prelude to the struggle against fascism during the Second World War.

 

Cormac Kelly

 

The six local men include four from Huddersfield, one from Cleckheaton and one from Dewsbury.

Alec Adderley, a dyer from Bradley, was repatriated in December 1938 when he was wounded by a trench mortar after serving six months.

David Horradge, a sales manager from Huddersfield, was killed at the Battle of Brunette in July 1937.

Alex Tough, a bronze moulder from Lockwood, arrived in Spain in January 1938 but was taken prisoner and eventually repatriated at the end of October that year.

David Wilson, a hotel porter from Sheepridge, spent two months fighting in Spain before returning home.

Clement Broadbent, a motor mechanic born at Thornhill Lees in Dewsbury, died in hospital at Valls in September 1938.

George William Corry from Cleckheaton, who served as a member of the Royal Tank Corps in World War One, died at Caspe within a month of arriving in Spain.

Cormac Kelly from Huddersfield TUC said: “The people of Huddersfield offered children from the Basque country fleeing the civil war sanctuary, safety and kindness and 20 boys were housed in the Old Clergy House in Almondbury in May 1937, which is remembered by a memorial.

“It would be great to have a similar commemorative plaque in the future to the men who went to fight fascism in Spain.”

Huddersfield TUC is keen to contact anyone who knows about the six men and would appreciate any friends or relatives with any more information to email cormackelly63@gmail.com

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting.