Remembering the Spanish Civil War .... today at Central Ref .... Manchester

 

Remembering the Spanish Civil War

 

 Today sees the publication of Chris Hall's new book on the Spanish Civil War.

He recently told me that  "my new book British Volunteers and the Spanish Civil War: ‘The Passionate Cause’, 1936-39 is available now at a reduced price. For more details about the book see below:

Ninety years ago, a Civil War broke out in a then little-known country. For thousands of British, Irish and Commonwealth people, the Spanish Civil War was their main focus for three years.

Over 2,500 “British” (including Irish and Commonwealth) men and women fought in the International Brigades or served in the medical services of the Spanish Republic. Over 500 volunteers were to die in Spain.

Other “British” volunteers served as mercenary pilots and in the revolutionary militias (including George Orwell); some even served on the side of the rebel forces.

At home, thousands participated in ‘Spanish Aid’ activities, raising funds for food ships and medical supplies for Republican Spain. During the Civil War, 4000 Basque refugee children were supported by public donations. Picasso’s Guernica painting toured England to raise funds.

This is the story of ordinary men and women, told in their own words and reflecting the whole gamut of emotions from ecstasy to despair.

Many volunteers would go on to fight in the Second World War, and some became leading figures in post-War Britain. But for many volunteers, the Spanish Civil War was the “Passionate Cause” and the outstanding episode of their lives. This is their story.

The book can be purchased from the publishers or via Amazon”.

To which I can add, it will be published on January 30th, 2026, and costs £29.99, but there is a pre order introductory offer which allows you to buy the book for £23.99 by following the link.*

This is his second book, the first was on The Nurse Who became a Spy Madge Addy's war Against Fascism, and came out in 2022.  Madge Addy lived in Chorlton.  She was a shadowy figure, who worked as a nurse on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War and went on to work for the SOE during the last World War.

All of which leaves me to write that along with Madge Addy, Chris Hall’s new book includes the story of Bernard McKenna who was also associated with the Civil War.

*Pre order https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-Volunteers-and-the-Spanish-Civil-War-The-Passionate-Cause-1936-39-Hardback/p/57241

**Madge Addy, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Madge%20Addy

The Spanish Civil War, by Chris Hall ..... and the Chorlton Two

Today I got a message from Chris Hall who has written extensively about the Spanish Civil War.

"Hello Andrew, my new book British Volunteers and the Spanish Civil War: ‘The Passionate Cause’, 1936-39 is available now at a reduced price. For more details about the book see below:

Ninety years ago, a Civil War broke out in a then little-known country. For thousands of British, Irish and Commonwealth people, the Spanish Civil War was their main focus for three years.

Over 2,500 “British” (including Irish and Commonwealth) men and women fought in the International Brigades or served in the medical services of the Spanish Republic. Over 500 volunteers were to die in Spain.

Other “British” volunteers served as mercenary pilots and in the revolutionary militias (including George Orwell); some even served on the side of the rebel forces.

At home, thousands participated in ‘Spanish Aid’ activities, raising funds for food ships and medical supplies for Republican Spain. During the Civil War, 4000 Basque refugee children were supported by public donations. Picasso’s Guernica painting toured England to raise funds.

This is the story of ordinary men and women, told in their own words and reflecting the whole gamut of emotions from ecstasy to despair.

Many volunteers would go on to fight in the Second World War, and some became leading figures in post-War Britain. But for many volunteers, the Spanish Civil War was the “Passionate Cause” and the outstanding episode of their lives. This is their story.

The book can be purchased from the publishers or via Amazon”.

To which I can add, it will be published on January 30th, 2026, and costs £29.99, but there is a pre order introductory offer which allows you to buy the book for £23.99 by following the link.*

This is his second book, the first was on The Nurse Who became a Spy Madge Addy's war Against Fascism, and came out in 2022.  Madge Addy lived in Chorlton.  She was a shadowy figure, who worked as a nurse on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War and went on to work for the SOE during the last World War.

All of which leaves me to write that along with Madge Addy, Chris Hall’s new book includes the story of Bernard McKenna who lived at Egerton Road North for many years and was also associated with the Civil War.

*Pre order https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-Volunteers-and-the-Spanish-Civil-War-The-Passionate-Cause-1936-39-Hardback/p/57241

**Madge Addy, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Madge%20Addy

Songs of Protest and Struggle .... tonight

 One to do

During Chorlton Arts Festival, https://chorltonartsfestival.org/

Madge Addy .... nurse and spy ..... the remarkable story ... online to watch

 Now any one who missed the talk on Madge Addy can catch it online.

Chris Hall, the plaque and the book

She was a remarkable woman who served as a nurse on the Repbulican side in the Spanish Civil War, went on to be an Allied spy in occuppied France during the Second World War, and for a brief time worked in Chorlton at 34 Manchester Road, where there is a plaque commemorating her life.

Chris has a light engaging style of public speaking, coupled with a deep knowledge of Madge and a deep respect for the woman.

Writing the book was not without its problems, especially in the early stages when information on Mage's life was sparce.

Madge in Marseilles, during the last World War

But sheer solid and painstaking research coupled with a few lucky breaks gave the background, and the result is an excellent biography which places her in the context of the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent conflict with an added bonus of details of the lives and contributions of other woman, some of who have also been ignored by history.

Pictures; Chris Hall, the plaque and the book from the collection of Chris Hall

*Madge Addy, the talk by Chris Hall to Chorlton Good Neighnours, February 3rd, 2021, https://youtu.be/ZF6B0OFvmzQ

A story of a remarkable women ..... Madge Addy ..... nurse and spy ..... today

Now I am looking forward to hearing Chris Hall talk on Madge Addy at Chorlton Good Neighbours today at 1.30pm.

She was a shadowy figure, who worked as a nurse on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War and went on to work for the SOE during the last World War.

But her story and in particular her time as a spy was barely known, but now thanks to Chris it is out in the open.

Before the last world war she lived in Chorlton and a blue plaque commemmorating her time here was unveiled back in 2018 by the Lord Mayor. 

In July of last year, Chris published his book on this remarkable woman.

All of which leaves me just to post a link to the zoom meeting.

I heard Chris speak on Ms Addy at the Library in September and it was an excellent description of her life, and the fascinating detective story which brought her out of the shadows.

The talk is hosted by Chorlton Good Neighbours and will be available at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88259914720?pwd=WXVwWUFBZERiOWR2QzZOTjU4amtzdz09 Meeting ID: 882 5991 4720 Passcode: 050850 at 1.30pm

*Chorlton Good Neighbours, https://chorltongoodneighbours.org/

Madge Addy .... spy .... nurse and hairdresser ... last night at Chorlton Libray in the company of Chris Hall

 So, last night 70 people gathered in the Library to hear Chris Hall talk about his new book on Madge Addy.

She was a remarkable woman who served as a nurse on the Repbulican side in the Spanish Civil War, went on to be an Allied spy in occuppied France during the Second World War, and for a brief time worked in Chorlton at 34 Manchester Road.

Chris has a light engaging style of public speaking, coupled with a deep knowledge of Madge and a deep respect for the woman.

Writing the book was not without its problems, especially in the early stages when information on Mage's life was sparce.

But sheer solid and painstaking research coupled with a few lucky breaks gave the background, and the result is an excellent biography which places her in the context of the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent conflict with an added bonus of details of the lives and contributions of other woman, some of who have also been ignored by history.

The talk was part of this years Chorlton Book Festival**

Chris tells me that there will be other speaking engagements, so if you missed last night I recommend you look out for when Madge and Chris come together again.

And finally just a thanks to the Library staff, and the organisers and Friends of the Book Festival for making the night go so smoothly.

Pictures, from the collections of Chris Hall and Andrew Simpson

*The book is published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd, Lucy May, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS, www.pen-and-sword.co.uk, Email: promotions@pen-and-sword.co.uk and cost £25. And is also available from Chorlton Bookshop.

**Chorlton Book Festival September 17th-25th, https://www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk/

Chris Hall: The Nurse who Became a Spy......... Tuesday September 21 .... at Chorlton Library

This is a talk I have been looking forward to ever since the publication of Chris Hall's book on Madge Addy.

"On the wall of 34 Manchester Road, there is a plaque dedicated to Madge Addy.

A former hairdresser, she served as a nurse in the Spanish Civil War and became a special agent in France in World War II.

Chris Hall’s book The Nurse who Became a Spy, tells her remarkable story.

Chris is a historian, trade unionist, librarian and expert on the Spanish Civil War.

He uncovered Madge Addy’s story and led the campaign for the plaque.

He’s the author of books including Disciplina Camaradas and In Spain with Orwell, and a member of the International Brigade Memorial Trust."*

The talk is part of this years Chorlton Book Festival.

Book free tickets here, https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chorlton-book-festival-madge-addy-the-nurse-who-became-a-spy-tickets-159588971911

Location, Chorlton, Spain, France

Picture; Nurse Madge Addy; Daily Worker, November 11, 1938 the plaque unveiling ceremony on May 12 2018

*Chorlton Book Festival September 17th-25th, https://www.chorltonbookfestival.co.uk/

Madge Addy ....The Nurse who became a Spy……… the Play ....... today

Finally Madge Addy has come out of the shadows.

She lived in Chorlton in the 1930s, went out to practice as a nurse on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War, and later was an Allied spy in Nazi occupied Europe during the Second World War.

But by the late 1960s she has settled into obscurity, and it has fallen to Chris Hall to place Madge Addy back in the spotlight.

His book on Ms. Addy was published in July, and he will be speaking on the book at the Chorlton Book Festival*

But along side this talk there is the play, which Chris writes, “Chorlton’s Madge Addy a Spanish Civil War nurse and World War II special agent, life will be brought to life in a dramatized play which will be performed at the Chorlton Arts Festival by Return of Los Internacionales and Mad Donnas.

Venue:  Wilbraham St Ninians Church in Chorlton, on Saturday September 18th 7.30- 9PM. Tickets £5 cash payment on the door.

The performance includes songs from the period performed by the Mad Donnas, Madge’s own words from her letters will be spoken, photographs from her life shown and major events from her life will be acted out such as: Aid Spain meeting in Stretford, Madge made a prisoner of war by General Franco’s forces,  Madge delivering secret messages in fur coat to British Intelligence.

Depending on his health a nephew of Madge’s will be attending.

The event is supported by the North West International Brigade Memorial Group”.

Pictures; Nurse Madge Addy; Daily Worker, November 11, 1938, and Chris Hall, 2021

*Chris Hall: The Nurse who Became a Spy, Tuesday 21 September, 7–8.30pm, Chorlton Library, tickets are available from, https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chorlton-book-festival-madge-addy-the-nurse-who-became-a-spy-tickets-159588971911

The Chorlton Nurse Who Became A Spy ……. the book of Madge Addy’s War against Fascism

Now I am so pleased and more  than a bit excited that Chris Hall’s book on Madge Addy will be published on July30th.

Madge Addy

I first came across Madge Addy back in 2016 and she has appeared in 14 stories on the blog, culminating with the unveiling of a plaque to her, here in Chorlton. 

Chris Hall, 2021

Madge Addy was a shadowy figure, who worked as a nurse on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War and went on to work for the SOE during the last World War.

But her story and in particular her time as a spy was barely know, but now thanks to Chris it is out in the open.  

He told me today that the book will feature "in the Chorlton Arts and Books Festival, and on  Saturday September 18th 7.30-9 at Wilbraham St Ninians church, Return of Los Internacionales with the Mad Donnas are performing a play about Madge Addy written by me  £5 cash payment on the door, along with an appearance on Tuesday September 21st 7-8.30 at Chorlton Library during the Book Festival talking about discovering the story of Madge Addy, which is a free event".

The press release, 2021

The book is published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd, Lucy May, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS, www.pen-and-sword.co.uk, Email: promotions@pen-and-sword.co.uk and cost £25

So there you have it …..more details to follow.

*Madge Addy, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Madge%20Addy