Last Spanish Civil War Scot Thomas Watters dies

Sad news from the BBC today:

The last surviving Scot who volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War has died at the age of 99.

Thomas Watters, originally from Glasgow, had been a corporation bus driver in the city before he went to Spain in 1936 as part of the Scottish ambulance unit.

Some 500 Scots joined the International Brigade to fight against Franco's army.

Mr Watters had been living in Hertfordshire for many years.

He received honorary Spanish citizenship in June 2009 at a ceremony in the Spanish Embassy in London.

The award was presented at that time to all survivors who had gone out to Spain between 1936 and 1939.

He subsequently returned to Glasgow in 2010 to speak at the ceremony rededicating the Pasionaria statue on the Clyde following its restoration.

Mike Arnott, who represents Scotland on the Committee of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, said: "I met Thomas on a number of occasions over the last two years.

"He was a truly inspirational and a lovely man, who will be greatly missed by his many friends and by all who knew him."

From the Calton to Catalonia

A play telling the story of the Glaswegian volunteers who joined the Internation Brigade in Spain in 1937 will be performed at The Wynd in Paisley on the 13th and 14th May.

The play is presented by Basement Theatre Company. It is based on the experiences of James Maley and has been written by two of his sons, John and Willy.

The Wynd is located at 6 School Wynd, Paisley and tickets are priced at £8 and £5 concession. The box office number is 0141 848 7471.

Scotland and the Spanish Civil War

The West of Scotland Branch of the Historical Association will be hosting a talk by Daniel Gray entitled Scotland and the Spanish Civil War next Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 5.30pm, in the Dyer Room at the Mitchell Library. The talk will be based on Gray's book “Homage to Caledonia”, in which he has collated extensive research from first hand sources on the conflict.

(Thanks to Chris Paton at the Scottish Genealogy Blog for the heads up!)

The Scots Who Fought Franco

An excellent programme shown last night on STV - a documentary on Scotlands contribution during the Spanish Civil War. It featured numerous interviews with International Brigaders whih have never been seen before.

Part two is on next week - I recommend tuning in if you can.

Part one is available to view here: http://player.stv.tv/programmes/the-scots-who-fought-franco/2009-08-13-2100/