Families in Hull (UK) campaign for IB memorial

January 11, 2011
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The existing plaque is located in a corridor in Hull's Guildhall. Photo BBC

“Relatives of local veterans of the Spanish Civil War are campaigning for a war memorial in Hull,” the BBC reports:

Eight men from Hull volunteered to fight for the Republican forces when the conflict started in 1936. … The eight men are commemorated by a small plaque in Hull City Council’s Guildhall. Four of the men were killed in combat. …  (IB vet s Joe Latus’) daughter Dilys Porter is one of the campaigners behind a move to have a more prominent memorial to the veterans erected in the city.  The campaigners hope to achieve their aim in time to mark this year’s 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the war.

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6 Responses to “ Families in Hull (UK) campaign for IB memorial ”

  1. Duncan Ledger on July 31, 2012 at 11:01 am

    My father, who died many years ago, grew up in Hull in the 20’s and 30’s. He was then and remained a dedicated socialist though never a communist. Going through some old family belongings recently I came across a set of left wing post cards sent to him from Albaceta by Joe Latus one of the men who went from Hull to fight there. I know that he knew many if not all of the men who went from Hull. He did on one occasion talk about it and remembered those who died. I also have a photograph taken in 1936/7 with a group of men and women on it. From what I have been able to find, I think that it could show Joe Latus and possibly Morris Miller and Robert Wardle. I would be happy to share this with anyone who could throw further light on their identity.

  2. Geoff Lawes on August 14, 2012 at 7:32 am

    Hello Duncan,I live in Hull and have done quite a lot of research about the Hull IB volunteers. I am also involved in the initiative to get a more prominent memorial to the men. I would be very interested in talking to you about the whole topic and would be very pleased if I could see the postcards. You will find my telephone number in the local phone directory under G M & FC Lawes – we live in Park Avenue.

  3. Gail Smith on June 7, 2013 at 4:45 am

    Hi Duncan
    I am Robert Wardle’s granddaughter and would love to see the photo too! I live in Australia but my mum is in Hull. I will contact her and copy this link.
    Geoff, I think you know my mum Audrey Wardle – I’m sure she’d be very interested!

    Regards
    Gail

  4. audrey wardle on June 7, 2013 at 11:57 am

    hi Duncan
    Just read your article about Joe Latus and Hull. My husband Rob Wardle had a plaque put in the guild hall in Hull for the brigaders from Hull. As Geoff Lawes said we`re trying to get a memorial , perhaps in the Queens Garden. Rob also managed to have a plaque placed in the cemetary
    at Calaceite where his father died.
    Regards Audrey

  5. Liz Egan on March 27, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    Hi everyone,
    Bit of a bizarre request, but I’m a student conducting research into the ways in which the Spanish Civil War and its volunteers have been remembered and commemorated – I was just wondering whether any of you would be interested in chatting to me about the campaign for a memorial in Hull?
    Best wishes, Liz

  6. Brian morgan on April 3, 2022 at 4:47 pm

    Dear Sir
    I have tried to contact you before.
    John Philip Key was the last Prime Minister of New Zealand, and is my cousin.
    His father,George Ernest Key, left Hull to fight in the Civil War in Spain.
    If you want further details, please contact me.
    Brian Morgan