Spanish Civil War: an introduction

Welsh Volunteers and Biographies

Alun Menai Williams

Born in Gilfach Goch, Glamorgan on the 20th of February 1913, died in Cardiff on the 2nd of July 2006.

Alun Menai Williams was a volunteer during the Spanish Civil War and a member of the International Brigades, he was born in Gilfach Goch and grew up in the Rhondda Valley. During the late thirties, Alun joined the Communist Party and began selling the Daily Worker in London. While in London, he became far more politically active, even being a member of the resistance at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936.

Witnessing the start of the Spanish Civil War and knowing other Welshman who had already volunteered, Alun decided to join up himself, stating in an interview that:

I was unemployed, a bit of an adventurer, a dedicated anti-fascist, my best friend was already there, and I was an experienced medic—trained in the Royal Medical Corps. I offered my expertise to the Republican people in need.

Alun saw action in a multitude of battles during the Spanish Civil War, most notably the Ebro and the battle of Brunete, both of which were notable for having considerable amounts of casualties. Despite this hostility, Alun survived both battles. When reflecting on these battles, he stated in an interview that "I seem to have known more Welshman at the Ebro than anywhere else." and when reflecting on the Brunete, he later in that same interview stated that "There was a lot of Welshmen who had slight wounds in Brunete which, they went away for weeks on end."

Alun was a trained medic prior to the Spanish Civil War, his expertise in medicine and first aid made him the medic of the various Brigades he was a member of, his expertise saved many lives and ensured that his comrades were healthy and alive.

He returned to Wales in December of 1938 and continued to live on until he sadly passed away on the 2nd of July 2006. He was the last surviving Welsh volunteer of the Civil War and his memory lives on through his book: "From the Rhondda to the Ebro". A copy of which is proudly kept at the South Wales Miners Library.