The Shallow Grave

After more than half a century, the Spanish Civil War continues to provoke debate and interest. Uniquely, thousands of volunteers travelled to fight in defence of democracy. Over 2000 came from Britain alone to join the International Brigades. Walter Gregory – who first fought fascists on the streets of his hometown Nottingham – was one of those who made his way secretly to Spain to take up arms. He fought in all the major battles of the war, was thrice wounded and was captured in action on the last day the British Battalion fought. Walter Gregory was sentenced to death by Franco’s forces, but was eventually released. His memoir of front-line fighting is a remarkable story of survival and courage. Walter Gregory was born within a few years of the outbreak of the First World War. In the thirties, following a series of clerical posts and a brief spell in the British Army interspersed with periods of unemployment, Walter was a member of the National Unemployed Workers Movement and the British Communist Party. He served in the British Battalion of the International Brigades in Spain from December 1936 till the end of the Spanish Civil War. After recuperation at home he saw service in the British Navy and was involved in action on the North Russian convoys, the Dieppe raid and the ‘chase through the Channel’. Walter’s naval service ended in submarines in the Far East. Back in civilian life he worked for the Nottingham Co-operative Society until his retirement and was an active member of the Labour Party and USDAW.