Catalogue Number
NMLH.1993.668
Object Name
Banner
Title
'Printers send greetings to Bill Alexander (Paperworkers). Major Attlee - Battalion Int. Brigade'
Place
Spain
People
International Brigade
Events
Spanish Civil War
Date
1936-1938
Description
White banner with black and red text saying 'Printers send greetings to Bill Alexander (Paperworkers). Major Attlee - Battalion Int. Brigade'.
Bill Alexander was a Communist Party member who volunteered for the International Brigades in 1937. He arrived in Spain soon after the battle of Jarama, in which two thirds of the British Battalion were injured or killed. He quickly rose through the ranks to become Captain and later Commander of the British Battalion in January 1938. One month later he was injured and sent home to England, where he continued to raise awareness of the plight of the Spanish people.
During the Spanish Civil War, Spanish printers were among the first to organise resistance against the Fascist regime. Banners like this were sometimes sent to those fighting on the front line to show support. They were also used at home in order to raise awareness of the Spanish Civil War and raise funds for those fighting in Spain. Bill Alexander belonged to the Print Worker's Union and so this banner was probably sent to Bill in Spain from his colleagues at home.
**ON DISPLAY**
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