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The family of Bob Doyle fly the International Brigades’ colours at his funeral. From left: Jessie, Tabby, Margarita and Joelle Doyle, Judd Charlton, and Bob and Julian Doyle |
‘Generosity and sacrifice: We’ll never forget what Bob did for us’
Warm tributes to man who fought fascism with the International Brigades
FRIENDS, relatives and comrades gathered on Tuesday to pay their respects to International Brigades volunteer Bob Doyle.
Bob, the last Irishman to fight against Franco, died on January 22, aged 92. More than 200 mourners filled the Golders Green Crematorium to celebrate the life of a Dubliner who spent his life fighting fascism and imperialism.
Bob, who lived in Tufnell Park, was a merchant seaman who made his own way to Spain in 1937. He was captured by Franco’s forces and held in a concentration camp. After the Second World War he became a printer and was father of the chapel (shop steward) in the trade union Sogat.
As well as readings that included excerpts of Bob’s many political speeches over the years, his son Julian spoke of his father’s sense of humour.
“While he was in hospital before he died, he asked me when he was due a telegram from the Queen,” said Julian.
“I thought to myself, ‘after a lifetime of struggle, my father is becoming a Royalist?’ Then he said: ‘I only ask because I’d rather like a letter from Fidel’.”
Julian also recalled his father’s occasionally eccentric way of putting dinner on the table.
As a child Bob had learned to poach and catch fish – brought up in a strict Dublin orphanage, it was a vital skill to keep him from going hungry – and he never lost the ability. Julian recalled how his father in his later years would go poaching on Lord Pomfrey’s estate in Berkshire.
Julian said: “He once returned with a pheasant and we all sat down to eat. Bob said, ‘let’s say grace.’ We all thought. ‘What has got into him?’
“Bob said, ‘thank you for what we are about to receive...Lord Pomfrey.”
A representative from the Catalonia regional government also attended the funeral.
Diplomat Angel Mesado told the mourners of the esteem in which Bob was held in his home country.
He said: “When I heard of Bob’s passing there was no way I could not come to say thank you.
“In Spain, we remember the example of so many young men and women who came to help in our struggle. We remember their sacrifice and generosity.
“The International Brigades are so admired in Catalonia.
“Musicians still sing songs for us about them, and their inspiration helps us as we continue working for justice and human dignity.
“We will never forget what they did for us.” |
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