Report
1941-11 038-0024-003 5 National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief REPORT November, 1941. It is five years now since the National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief was formed in this country and although, during that time, reports have been written and much has been published regarding its work, a...
| Institution: | MCR - The Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick |
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| Language: | English |
| Published: |
November 1941
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10796/7B0AB9CB-C07F-4C14-98B0-FAFBC414707A http://hdl.handle.net/10796/4E94C965-9E70-4EED-9D9D-08757B860B02 |
| Summary: | 1941-11
038-0024-003
5 National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief REPORT November, 1941. It is five years now since the National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief was formed in this country and although, during that time, reports have been written and much has been published regarding its work, a brief report of its activities during those years, and since the war here, is overdue. The Committee was responsible for saving many thousands of Spaniards, young and old, from the bitter vendettas and political and fraternal strife which accompany all civil wars. Through its agency an immense amount of physical suffering was relieved by the sending of food ships, warm clothing, and medical aid to Spain. Over half a million pounds was raised through its appeals and work, with associated committees, the money coming mainly from people of moderate means, involving much real sacrifices in the efforts made. In May, 1937, its culminating act of mercy was to bring to England in the " Havana " 4,000 Basque Children from Bilbao, also a number of teachers, domestic staff, and many priests. The Spanish Civil War was then at its height. Towns and villages were being smashed by aerial and artillery bombardment and many thousands of children fleeing in terror across the countryside homeless; and uncared for. The mercy ship left while a terrific air-raid raged over the docks and bombs fell on all sides — no wonder that 4,000 instead of the 2,000 children planned for, arrived ! The children were placed under the care of the Basque Children's Committee, a Sub-Committee of the National Joint Committee, and at a later stage the boys over 14 were placed under the Basque Boys' Training Committee. Local voluntary committees were immediately started all over the British Isles, to assist in the welfare and maintenance of the children — temporarily housed in a vast camp at Southampton. Homes were found and hostels opened — the Salvation Army took many, a number of Convents took others, and a new life was started for these little Spanish refugees. The Committee cannot speak too highly of the devoted services, individual efforts, and financial help of hundreds of men and women, from all over the British Isles, America and the Empire; of the
292/946/38/24(III) |
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| Physical Description: | TEXT |