Anniversary of Franco Gunboat Atrocity - Cromer - Norfolk 1938

Pathe Video (click on picture above to see news reel)
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=20813">

At 3:30pm on the 2nd November 1938, the Spanish Republican merchant ship the Cantabria captained by Manuella Ardulles was half way into a voyage between Gravesend and Sunderland, when it was caught in an unprovoked attack by the rebel Spanish fascist gunboat the Nadir (the alias of the Cuidad de Valencia) in the North Sea, seven miles west of Cromer light vessel, Norfolk.


The bombardment of the Cantabria rattled windows of houses in Cromer and crowds gathered on the Cromer cliff tops to witness the shocking events .

The Auxiliary Cruiser SS Monkwood was dispatched to investigate the attack upon the Cantabria but as Britain was part of a "non intervention pact" it did not react to the bombardment, It was left to the Devon captain of the Pattersonia from Blaydon, Newcastle, Captain J. Blackmore to force his way between the attacking gun boat and the unarmed Republican merchant ship to rescue the crew from the sinking boat.

Despite the Cantabria flying white flags the Nadir, continued to bombard the steamer, bravely the Pattersonian moved in close to rescue eleven crew members including Captain Ardulles, his wife Trinidad, his two children and members of the crew, despite continued attempts by the Nadir to ram the Pattersonian.


A further five crew members were rescued by the Cromer lifeboat and the remaining crew by the cruiser SS Monkwood, a total of 45 crew members were rescued

After landing at Cromer, the crew made their way to Lowestoft and then on the East Anglia express to Liverpool Street,London,On reaching their destination huge cheering crowds gathered to welcome them and show support for the Republican cause, those present included Senior Alvarez Buyllis Spanish Consul General.

Today this attack by Franco's rebel forces would be labelled a War crime, in 1938 the Conservative National Government was still pursuing a policy of appeasing fascist governments and attempted to play down the incident.

Over 2,500 British men and women joined the International brigade to defend the democratically elected republican government of Spain against the fascist uprising led by Franco. 500 of those volunteers died for a cause that millions would later die for in WW2.

.

The wreck of the Cantabria lies off Cromer,Norfolk

WSPU Suffragettes Restaurant - Eustace Miles - Chandos Street

Eustace Miles "New Food" restaurant at 40 Chandos Street, on the east side of Trafalgar Square near Charring Cross was a favourite haunt of WSPU suffragettes and Sylvia Pankhurst in particular.

The restaurant was a "meat free" restaurant run by Eustance and Hallie the establishment also boasted lecture rooms, an advice bureau, a "physical school" and a publishing business

Miles. he had two more restaurants, in Carshalton and Chelsea.


The same Eustace Miles appears in EM Forster's Howards End (1910), in which Margaret Schlegel refers dismissively to his restaurant:
"It's all proteids and body-buildings, and people come up to you and beg your pardon, but you have such a beautiful aura."

The venue was also used as a meeting pint for nurse registration campaigners.

Nellie Cowan - Willesden - Pioneering Trade Unionist

NELLIE COWAN - WILLESDEN

Nellie Cowan was an active trade unionist and secretary of the women's section of the Workers Union (later TGWU now Unite).

"Her office as Secretary of the Women's Section of the Workers' Union, as well as her profession. brings her in daily contact with the wives and children of the workers in whose welfare she is most keenly interested."

Nellie Cowan was elected as a Labour councillor for Stonebridge ward on Willesden Urban District Council, (now Brent) in West London. She was the first woman elected mayor of Willesden in 1942 and was mayor again in 1956-1957.

Nellie Cowan worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Willesden, most notably on the reconstruction of the area after the War.

She had a long and disguised career in local government (43 years), for which Nellie Cowan received an OBE in 1951.
Above Miss Sawrd Workers Union organiser at Watford. Below Workers Union meeting for Women at Golders Green, London 1 June 1923.

(also pic) Wiilesden British Socialist Party journal - The Willesden Call

MANCHESTER CLARION CAFE 1908-1936

MANCHESTER CLARION CAFE 1908-1936See earlier posts on Manchester Clarion Cycling Club and M anchester Clarion cafe

(click on pictures to enlarge)

The Manchester Clarion Cafe at 50 Market Street, Manchester was part of the wider Clarion Movement. It was opened by Robert Blatchford editor of the Clarion newspaper on Saturday 31st October 1908.

According to Harry Pollitt, the Cafe was the work of "skilled men from eighteen trades built decorated and furnished"..."The salon was imposing with a Dutch fireplace and ceiling lantern....the Clarion cafe was lit by ships lantern's and the walls decorated with oak panels.
William Morris's "A Kings Lesson" was pictured in a frieze by the great artists Bernard Sleigh (1872-1954). the windows had coloured glass figures representing Justice, Knowledge, Progress and fraternity.

On the floor above the Clarion cafe was a large and luxurious Clarion clubroom, with murals by Walter Crane.
The Clarion cafe in Manchester soon became a meeting place for socialists and labour people and regularly frequented by Harry Pollitt. Picture above of the Clarion Cafe, 50a Market Street, Manchester November 1913. James Connolly extreme right and American Trade union leader "Big" Bill Haywood next to him.
Denis Pye has written a history of the Manchester Clarion Cafe.

See also Clarion cafe Liverpoool.