James Larkin (Jack) Jones

It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of 96 year old former brigadista James Larkin (Jack) Jones in London on Tuesday, April 21, President of the International Brigade Memorial Trust in Britain and Ireland. Jack was wounded at the Battle of the Ebro in 1938, the last major battle of the Spanish Civil war.

A former Liverpool docker, trade unionist, socialist, and a doughty fighter for workers and pensioners rights, Jack was General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union from 1969 to 1978, and was one of the most outstanding British trade union leaders of the post-war era.

I was privileged to meet Jack briefly on 17^th March 2007, when along with comrade Frank Ward from Dornoch, we travelled down to Aberdeen to attend the excellent Spanish Civil War Exhibition organised by Aberdeen Trades Council.

It was a great privilege to join with Jack in a rousing chorus of “l’internationale” and exchange proletarian clenched fist salud’s as he left for home.

Trade Union leader Jack Jones, who has died aged 96. Photograph: Matthew Fearn/PA

Viva la Quince Brigada!
"No pasaran!" the pledge that made them fight.
"Adelante!" was the cry around the hillside.
Let us all remember them tonight.

Christy Moore

Salud camarada!

Stewart Hunter