In memory of Jack Williams

cathays_jack_williamsJohn Elwyn Williams, known as Jack, was the third son of Mr and Mrs Rees Williams of 45 Walter Road, Ammanford. After his schooling he became a carpenter.

Like many others in the South Wales coalfield, he joined the Communist Party. In April 1937 he enlisted in the International Brigade to fight with the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. Three other men from Ammanford had volunteered earlier including miner Sammy Williams.

Jack was killed during the Battle of Brunete, near Madrid, in July 1937. A few days earlier he had witnessed Sammy’s death.

In September 1937 almost 700 people, of varying political backgrounds, attended a memorial event for Jack and Sammy in Ammanford.

The pair are commemorated in Ammanford Town Hall and in Ammanford Social Club.

For this information and photo we are grateful to Terry Norman, whose website has more information about local men who joined the International Brigade here

Return to listing page - Spanish Civil War memorial, Cardiff

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