A Tribute to

James Keogh

Tameside Council’s latest blue plaque commemorates people from the borough who volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War - and especially Ashton man James Keogh.

The war, which took place between 1936 and 39, began when army officers led by General Francisco Franco attempted to overthrow the democratically elected socialist government. Three years of very bitter fighting ensued in which around 500,000 people died.

Franco’s right-wing nationalist forces received massive support from Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy, who used the conflict to practice bombing raids. However, despite such horrors, the world’s democracies stayed neutral. Appalled by this inertia, many people from Europe and North America (53 countries in all) volunteered for the International Brigades which fought in support of the Madrid government.

Among these thousands was James Keogh, who was born at 105 Wellington Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. He died at Calaceite in north east Spain on March 17, 1938, during Franco’s Aragon offensive. He was 23.

In 1939, the nationalist forces were victorious. Franco became dictator and the Spanish people had to endure almost 40 years of authoritarian rule.

The blue plaque recognising the Tameside area’s involvement will be unveiled in the atrium between Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre and Tameside Central Library, Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, on Friday, 25 November 2012.

Tameside Council’s Assistant Executive Member for Heritage and Tourism, Cllr Jackie Lane, said: “The Spanish Civil War was one of the central events of the 20th century. It was a war in which thousands of idealistic people felt they had to take a stand against the march of fascism, even though few had any military experience.

“Almost 10,000 of them died, with another 7,000 wounded. I’m proud that Tameside is recognising their sacrifice, and specifically that of James Keogh from Ashton.”

Contact Information
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