‘We intend to remember him’

Two Wearside weightlifters and the South Tyneside wife of George Orwell are among the North East heroes being celebrated for their roles in the Spanish Civil War.

Wearside volunteers included Bob Qualie, circled, who was an Olympic Bantamweight weightlifting champion in the mid-1930s.
He is pictured during a weightlifting competition which was held in the South Hylton Royal British Legion hut. — Wearside volunteers included Bob Qualie, circled, who was an Olympic Bantamweight weightlifting champion in the mid-1930s. He is pictured during a weightlifting competition which was held in the South Hylton Royal British Legion hut. | se

placeholder image — Wearside volunteers included Bob Qualie, circled, who was an Olympic Bantamweight weightlifting champion in the mid-1930s. He is pictured during a weightlifting competition which was held in the South Hylton Royal British Legion hut. | se

Bob Qualie and Nixon Rowell were among 20 people from Sunderland who joined the International Brigade.

Others included South Shields-born Eileen O'Shaughnessy Blair, married to the author George Orwell. She served as a typist with the Independent Labour Party.

The civil war began when General Francisco Franco, backed by Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy, led a rebel army coup against Spain's democratic government in 1936. The International Brigade was formed as a response.

The civil war arose when General Francisco Franco, pictured backed by Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy, led a rebel army coup against Spain's democratic government in 1936.
The International Brigade was formed as a response, with thousands of volunteers around the world going to Spain to fight against Franco.
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) — The civil war arose when General Francisco Franco, pictured backed by Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy, led a rebel army coup against Spain's democratic government in 1936. The International Brigade was formed as a response, with thousands of volunteers around the world going to Spain to fight against Franco. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Bob Qualie was an Olympic Bantamweight weightlifting champion and Nixon Rowell, a north of England champion with three British records.

Their stories and others will be told at Sunderland's Holy Trinity Church on August 5 at an event called 'Mackems For Madrid'.

Tony Fox, a member of the North East Volunteers for Liberty group, will be speaking and said: “We already knew that around 20 volunteers from the area went to Spain. But I recently found a Sunderland Echo report from December 1936, with information about a second batch of men.

Sunderland man Captain Joseph Andrews captained the SS Thorpehall, the first merchant vessel to break through Franco’s naval blockade of northern Spain in April 1937 | other 3rd party

“They included Nixon Rowell. He volunteered and travelled to London with his friend Bob Qualie, who was two years younger. Both were ideal volunteers. They were single, well-over the minimum age of 21 and were also very athletic.

“Bobjoined the International Brigade's British Battalion in early 1937. Nixon Rowell did not make it because of flu and possibly asthma. But he certainly volunteered and had every intention to serve in Spain. So now we intend to remember him alongside the other Sunderland volunteers at our commemorations.”

Men of the British Battalion of the XV International Brigade in Spain during the Spanish Civil War, circa 1937. (Photo by Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Nixon's daughter, Sylvia, will be at the August 5 event. Another relative there will be the great grand-daughter of Sunderland merchant ship captain Joseph Andrews who captained the SS Thorpehall, the first merchant vessel to break through Franco’s naval blockade.

The August 5 talk starts at 1pm and admission is free. Online reservations can be made on Eventbrite.

For more information, email: [email protected].

Donations will be welcome towards future talks organised by the 17Nineteen Society and the Churches Conservation Fund.