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Memories of George Brown

Jack J L Jones

With some comrades before the Battle of the Ebro, Spain, 1938.

I knew George Brown very well in the early to mid 1930's.  Whilst I was a very active trade unionist and later a Labour Party councillor in Liverpool, he was the District Organiser of the Communist Party in Manchester. We had many contacts and meetings through the Trades Council and other bodies and organisations on the Left in those closely related big industrial cities where unemployment was rife.

 

I respected him greatly for his fine upright character, his speaking abilities and his Irish charm and his dedication to the cause. A strikingly fine man in every way. Although I was not a member of the Communist Party we shared many ideas and ideals together for a better kind of society and it was the General Strike of '26 that had got us both involved in politics. I also knew his brother Bob Brown very well, he joined me on the 1934 National Hunger March to London.

 

George got married to Evelyn very shortly before the outbreak of the war in Spain. I had met her with him previously and also greatly admired her as a stalwart activist against the rise of Fascism, she was after all arrested for fighting Mosley's thugs in Manchester, and also bravely aided people to escape Hitler's Germany. George like myself, with his influential position, became early on a recruiter for the International Brigade, encouraging young men to go out and fight in the defence of the Republic against Franco, and indeed Hitler and Mussolini who were supporting that terrible Fascist invasion. Shortly thereafter he felt overwhelmingly that he himself had to go. Sadly leaving Evelyn only months into their marriage, but undoubtedly with her full belief and support behind him.

 

He quickly gained a great reputation in the Brigade in Spain with his concern for the welfare of his comrades and his position as Commissar. It wasn't long before he was fighting on the front line in one of the great battles to save Madrid at Brunete. There he was shot and killed by fascist troops who had used civilians as cover. A terrible blow to his family and friends and most especially Evelyn.

 

Later that year I myself volunteered and led a group of comrades over the Pyrenees to eventually fight at the Battle of the Ebro, where I was wounded.  Repatriated to recover I met up again with Evelyn and together we did what we could to aid the starving Spanish people - especially organising a great food-ship campaign - and with our mutual feelings love and respect for the memory of George were quickly drawn together and married.The rest is history as they say - but George was with us in spirit as a great comrade and guiding light throughout our long and active 60 years of marriage and no greater friend or inspiration could one have had.

 

SALUD!  Camarada!

 

Extract from a letter home

17th Annual George Brown Memorial Event 2024.

Celebrating Resilience and Solidarity.

 

Inistioge, June 2024 – Despite the rain, the 17th Annual Inistioge George Brown Memorial Event was a remarkable success, drawing attendees to honour the legacy of George Brown and reflect on current global issues.

 

Special guest, Palestinian Ambassador H.E. Dr. Jilan Abdalmajid, planted a Cedar of Lebanon in Woodstock Gardens on Friday evening, continuing the tradition of commemorative tree planting. This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the George Brown Memorial Plaque in St. Colmcille Graveyard with Cllr Sean Ó hArgáin.

 

Dr. Abdalmajid delivered a heartfelt address at St. Mary's Church of Ireland, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza and the West Bank. She expressed profound gratitude to the Irish people and government for their ongoing support and recent recognition of the State of Palestine, emphasizing how these actions inspire hope among Palestinians.

 

Cllr Ó hArgáin and former Senator Mick Lanigan also addressed the assembly. Lanigan, founder of Friends of Palestine in the Oireachtas and recipient of the Order of Bethlehem, spoke passionately about justice for Palestinians.

 

The most poignant moment came from Maram Salah, a young woman from Gaza, now a Masters's student at SETU (Carlow Campus), who shared her harrowing experiences and the ongoing struggles of her family back home. 

 

Following a standing ovation for Dr. Abdalmajid, Amanda Richards presented her with a bouquet adorned with Palestinian colours. Former UNITE leader Jimmy Kelly gifted her a copy of his autobiography, "At the end of the day."

 

Saturday's outdoor events were moved indoors due to rain, but the spirit of the event remained undiminished. Attendees gathered at the Conservatory Tearoom in Woodstock to hear Spanish Civil War historian Harry Owens discuss the historical parallels and current issues. He urged support for both Palestinians, and Israelis opposing the Netanyahu administration, and highlighted the contributions of the Irish Jewish community to civic and political society here.

 

A tribute was paid to the late Nuala Prendergast, a dedicated local SIPTU trade union activist, commemorating her significant involvement in the event over the years.

 

The event concluded with a wreath-laying at the Olive Grove in Woodstock's Walled Garden by former UNITE official Sean Kelly, honouring the Kilkenny men of the International Brigades. A lively music session by local duo Michael and Eamon Holden at the Woodstock Arms capped off the memorable weekend.

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