Tributes flood in for the ‘legendary shop steward’ who defied Chilean dictatorship
Tributes are being paid to an heroic pensioner whose brave stance against a Chilean dictatorship was immortalised on screen.
Robert Somerville, one of a group of courageous Rollsroyce workers who defied Chile’s General Pinochet by refusing to work on Chilean Air Force planes during the military coup of 1973, was laid to rest last week after suffering a fatal heart attack at his Motherwell home on September 26.
Known as Bobby, the 85-yearold great-grandad worked at the East Kilbride plant during the 1970s alongside Bob Fulton, John Keenan and Stuart Barrie, whose inspirational act of solidarity led to them being honoured as Commanders of the Republic of Chile in 2015.
Speaking on behalf of her family, Robert’s daughter Linda said: “We’re just so shocked at the suddenness of it. The hardest thing for us is the restricted time and cuddles we’ve had with him over the last 18 months.
“My dad was stoic, humble and a great listener. He always had time for people and was always there if you needed advice or help with anything. We will miss him.”
Engineer Robert put his job on the line to boycott any work on the Chilean engines, refusing to repair and return the military jet engines of Pinochet’s air force in protest against their use during the air raid on the country’s capital Santiago.
Backed by the entire workforce, Robert and his colleagues kept the engines in the factory yard.
Four decades after their defiant protest, Robert took home a prestigious BAFTA Scotland award for his part in the incredible story when it hit the silver screen in Felipe Bustos Sierra’s feature documentary Nae Pasaran!
Paying tribute, the filmmaker said: “Here’s to the wonderful Robert Somerville. Also known as Bobby, Papa or Mr Netherdale (after the youth club of the same name he founded in Motherwell), he was a beloved greatgrandfather, a loving husband to Jean and a legendary shop steward.
“Well-kent and well-loved for his generosity, solidarity and laughter, he received an MBE for his work in industrial relations at Rolls-royce and, most recently, was made a Commander to the Republic of Chile for his efforts to preserve human rights in Chile.
“He was a warm, empathetic man who instinctively acted out of love, rather than fear, and his sudden absence leaves knots of grief that, hopefully, the happy memories we shared will one day loosen.
He will be greatly missed.”
Remembering his friend, East Kilbride man Bob Fulton said this week: “Bob was a work colleague and friend for many years. He was always stubbornly determined to find a way to help others with their problems and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He was a good man.”
Robert was a member of the Rolls-royce Works Committee and worked tirelessly to keep the story in the media. He subsequently helped many Chilean refugees settle in Lanarkshire.
East Kilbride MP Lisa Cameron said: “So sorry to hear of the death of Robert Somerville, sincerest condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues.
“I had the great pleasure of meeting Robert at the release of Nae Pasaran and a couple of times after this when I got the chance to chat to him at length.
“We are very proud of his achievements, a great man of integrity from East Kilbride. A
true hero.”