Bob Doyle [1916-2009]

Le dernier combattant irlandais des Brigades Internationales

was deeply saddened to hear this afternoon of the passing of Bob Doyle, the last remaining Irish member of the International Brigades who fought in the Spanish Civil War.

I was honoured to meet Bob Doyle when he spoke two years ago when he spoke at Labour Youth's Connolly Festival in the Matt Merrigan Hall at the ATGWU on Abbey Street. It was the largest public meeting Labour Youth had organised in memory - more than 200 people crowded into the room to hear Bob's account of his part in the 'comradeship of heroes' that fought Fascism in defence of the democratically-elected Republic. No one was disappointed. Bob's speech was moving beyond words, an account deeply personal and yet defiantly political.

My great honour that night was to be asked to play the meeting out by singing 'Viva La Quinte Brigada,' Christy Moore's classic song which celebrates the Irishmen of the Connolly Column who braved the Francoists in Spain and the far-right hegemony in Ireland, often alienating families and communities as a result. Bob was visibly moved at the rendition and his kind words and firm handshake after the song are what I remember best.

It is probably the greatest honour I have ever had in politics and Bob, his writings, his words and his politics will always be part of my political journey.

Adelante, comrade.
Bob Doyle [1916-2009] 

A procession celebrating the life of International Brigade veteran Bob Doyle makes its way down O'Connell Street, Dublin, 14 February 2009. Bob was a lifelong Irish republican, communist and internationalist, which was reflected by those who came to pay their last respects as his ashes returned home.
Catégorie :  Actualités et politique
Tags : 
bob  doyle  international  brigade  spain  spanish  civil  anti-fascist  war  ireland  dublin  james  connolly  column  ira  republican  socialism  communism

Notre ami Jean-Pierre GAST,

CARNET

 

Notre ami Jean-Pierre GAST, membre de l’ACER est décédé à Paris vendredi 18 septembre 2008 à l’âge de 64 ans. Dirigeant du mouvement de la jeunesse communiste à la fin des années 1960, ancien sportif montreuillois de haut niveau dans sa discipline – la lutte- il avait assuré des responsabilités administratives à la ville de Bagnolet. Au cours des vingt dernières années, il s’était passionné pour l’histoire, particulièrement celle de Bagnolet. Mille neuf cent trente six, la Résistance, les brigadistes internationaux partis défendre la République espagnole, autant de sujets qu’il avait traités dans plusieurs ouvrages. Jean-Pierre était devenu la mémoire de ce coin de la Seine-Saint-Denis. A Denise, sa femme, à toute sa famille, l’ACER adresse son affectueuse amitié.

 

Les obsèques de Jean-Pierre GAST ont eu lieu jeudi 25 septembre au crématorium du Père Lachaise.

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