International Brigader Letter, 1930s

A letter written during the Spanish Civil War, which lasted between 1936 and 1939. Eddie Rice, the letter’s author, was associated with the International Brigades and the Socorro Rojo. Both organisations were set up by the Communist International and assisted anti-fascist Republican forces during the war, in military and aid capacities respectively.

The letter itself shows the friendly relationship between Eddie and Sam Kermode, his comrade in Airdrie. Sam gets a concise update about the Spanish conditions before receiving requests for books, soap and chocolate. Sam is also told to pass on an update about the brother of a mutual acquaintance, Jim M, with whom Eddie had spent time in Canada.

Museum reference:
COTSL-1991-235-1
Date:
1936 - 1938
Made by:
Socorro Rojo International
Associated with:
1936 - 1938 · Socorro Rojo International · Plaza Altozano, Albacete, Spain · Spanish Civil War,
Dimensions:
height: 170mm
width: 130mm
depth: 1mm
Inscriptions:
Soccoro Rojo International Plaza Altozano Chambre I.T. Albacete, Spain “Somewhere in Spain” Dear Sam Just a little note from Spain to let you know I’m still in the employ of the Spanish Government sweltering under a beautiful Spanish sun, pretty warm, not too hot, but consistent, every morning at 5.30 it appears without fail Letter writing from Spain is no easy job, I expect you’ll know the reason, if I had my way I could fill a dozen pages without any trouble. I’m still connected to 2 the Transport, plenty of driving and long journeys, some of our fellows have made the supreme sacrifice, in order that Hitlerism shall not come to Spain, good lads too, of course that is all part the game. Well Sam no communist ever wrote a letter without begging so every letter I write I beg for soap right now there’s a discussion on about it, the boys are just talking about how long it is since they bought a bar, yesterday I received my first letter and a box of chocolate from Airdrie, and maybe I didn’t enjoy it, the first I tasted since I left. that was from a girl 3 I’m still waiting for my first parcel of soap or chocolate from the bookshop. Every opportunity I get I write somebody a letter. I’m going to make sure that I get one, at least once a week, that means you answer this one right away, and if does not incur too much expense please send by Air Mail do you ↑know it takes at least eight days to reach here by ordinary mail, anything from eight to ten days. I nearly forgot, books and newspapers receive a special welcome. Another reason why I would like them sent by Air Mail is because sometimes we are away four days then maybe we are around the 4 camp for a week, and if we get quick replies we get them before we leave. If you see Jim M – tell him I was with his brother for a day, I hadn’t seen him since I left Canada, so we had plenty to talk about. Well comrade I’ll be moving in a little while so you’ll have to excuse me for writing so brief a letter, and next time I’ll try and do a little better, so right now I must say goodbye with revolutionary greetings from Spain Eddie

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