Pages tagged with: spanish civil war

While New Zealand had no official involvement in the Spanish Civil War of the late 1930s, a small number of New Zealanders fought in Spain (six were killed there), or served as doctors and nurses. Many others supported the Republican war effort through fundraising efforts back home.

The Spanish Civil War was primarily a fight between the nationalist Fascists and the democratic Republicans. 

The deaths of at least six New Zealanders in Spain went largely unnoticed at home. But some groups within New Zealand saw Spain as more than a ‘far away side issue’.

Short biographies of New Zealanders who fought in the Spanish Civil War

Several NZ nurses and least one doctor provided medical assistance in the Spanish Civil War

Dr Doug Jolly pioneered mobile emergency surgery during the Spanish Civil War. He is described by US medical historian David Adamas as ‘one of the most notable war surgeons of the 20th century’.

Ambulance bought by the Dunedin branch of the SMAC for the Spanish Civil War.

A leaflet produced by the Christchurch branch of the Spanish Medical Aid Committee during the Spanish Civil War

Spansih Civil War surgeon Doug Jolly having a quick cigarette during a break from his medical duties.

Maps showing the change in Republican and Nationalist held areas during the Spanish Civil War.

A portrait of Dan Davin and his wife Winifred Gonley taken in London.

René Shadbolt led the only New Zealand contingent to the Spanish Civil War. She and fellow nurse, Isobel Dodds, cared for wounded soldiers, particularly those from the International Brigades, from July 1937 to November 1938.

Of the small group of New Zealanders who served in the Spanish Civil War, most made their own way to Spain from Britain and Australia. The only organised New Zealand contingent comprised three nurses: René Shadbolt, Isobel Dodds and Millicent Sharples.

Flag of the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War

A flag of the International Brigades used during the Spanish Civil War.

No Pasaran! poster recalling the attack on Madrid on 7 November 1936.

Fred Robertson was killed during the Spanish Civil War.

Photograph of New Zealand Communist Party National Committee, 1939.

Tom Spiller, a New Zealand communist who served in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War.

Women staff at hospital in Huete, Spain, during the Spanish civil war, 1937