The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Recalling the arrival of child refugees from the Spanish civil war
Los niños: 24 of almost 4,000 Basque refugees were sent to Montrose in 1937
A concert will commemorate the 80th anniversary of child refugees from the Spanish civil war arriving in Montrose.
On September 17 1937, 24 Basque children arrived at Montrose Station where they were greeted by a welcome banner reading “Viva Spain Salud!”
Folk duo Na-mara and ScottishSpanish folk collective Gallo Rojo will perform at the Neptune Bar in Montrose on October 7.
The father of Na-mara’s Rob Garcia was one of the children evacuated to Montrose.
Mr Garcia said: “Fausto Garcia arrived in Southampton alongside 4,000 other child refugees evacuated from Bilbao in May 1937.
“After spending time in a refugee camp near Southampton, Fausto and his brother were sent to a series of refugee ‘colonies’ around the UK.”
Alongside songs about the conflict in Spanish, Na-mara sing about the niños (children) whose experiences hold many lessons for today.
Gallo Rojo draw on a number of traditions for their music, with many of their songs written in the 1930s by those directly involved in the conflict.
The destruction of the Guernica by the Nazi Condor Legion fighting for the nationalist leader Francisco Franco in April 1937 led the leaders of the Basque Country’s regional government to appeal to foreign nations to give offer its children temporary asylum to take them out of harm’s way.
Although the British government adhered to its policy of non-intervention, an old steamship, the SS Habana, was loaded with 3,840 children, 80 teachers, 120 helpers, 15 Catholic priests and two doctors and set sail for Southampton.
Children moved into Mall Park House in Montrose, a former mansion owned by the Dundee Free Breakfast Mission.
It was the only colony to be located in Scotland.
Miss May Wilson, who was fluent in Spanish, was put in charge at Montrose, while Basque teacher Adelina Larraga and helper and cook Maria Blanco came with the children.
In all, the Basque children stayed in Montrose for almost three years.
Simon Martinez from the Basque Children of 37 Association said: “These children had been evacuated following the bombing of Guernica and other cities.
“They arrived here in Scotland, England and Wales with the permission of the British Government, but were entirely supported by voluntary contributions from individuals, churches, trade unions, political parties and the Co-op.
“Some of them came to Montrose.”
Fausto Garcia arrived in Southampton alongside 4,000 other refugees evacuated from Bilbao in May 1937. After spending time in a refugee camp near Southampton Fausto and his brother were sent to a series of refugee ‘colonies’ around the UK.
ROB GARCIA