WILLIAM LOWER and Robert Mackie, both shipyard workers in 1930s Sunderland, struggled to maintain steady jobs and were actively involved in the National Unemployed Workers Movement (NUWM). Both were staunch anti-fascists, fighting locally before taking the bold step to join the struggle for international socialism in the Spanish civil war as part of the International Brigade.

Together, they travelled aboard the ship Ciudad de Barcelona when crossing the Pyrenees was no longer an option. Tragically, William lost his life when the ship was torpedoed by an Italian submarine supporting Franco. Robert survived the attack but died just six weeks later, serving in the British Battalion of the XV International Brigade, at the Battle of Brunete.

Their sacrifice is commemorated at the Solidarity Park monument on the beach of Malgrat de Mar in Catalunya, created with the participation of over 700 people and indirectly involving thousands more. The monument celebrates the memory of all international brigaders who perished on the Ciudad de Barcelona. Every year, their legacy is honoured through an international anti-fascist arts festival and an educational programme engaging both local and international students in a historical memory arts project.

However, William and Robert, along with more than 20 other volunteers from Sunderland who served in Spain, are yet to be honoured in their hometown. Solidarity Sunderland seeks to commemorate not only those who fought and died but also the many who supported the Spanish people in various ways: raising funds, collecting and sending food and medical aid, breaking blockades (and the ships involved), aiding refugees, and caring for Basque children. These people displayed remarkable humanity and a progressive vision to stand against oppression — a legacy that demands recognition and action in our own era.

Sunderland’s proud shipping heritage will be central to the memorial campaign; we will commemorate the Sunderland ships such as the SS Brinkburn, SS Coquetdale and SS Thorpehall, men such as Captain Smith of the SS Coquetdale and Captain Andrews of the SS Thorpehall who broke Franco’s naval blockade of Bilbao. We will also look at Angel Perez Martinez who came to Britain as a Basque refugee, was cared for on Tyneside and became a shipbuilder in Sunderland. Many will remember Frank Graham, who published popular scholarly accounts of local history and culture from the 1960s until his death in 2006; he was the first Sunderland volunteer to arrive in Spain.

It is vital to equip younger generations with the history of those who resisted the rise of fascism and far-right ideologies in the 1930s. 

Sunderland’s volunteers recognised the Spanish civil war as a pivotal moment to change the course of history in favour of the working class. At the core of their efforts was genuine international solidarity, uniting people across languages and borders in a shared struggle.

Solidarity Sunderland is a new initiative led by the North East Volunteers for Liberty group that have been organising events since 2020 every October to commemorate the International Brigade Volunteers from the region who were killed in Spain. 

At these events connections were made with different organisations, including the Communist Party of Spain, through Julio Romero Johnson, who lives in Sunderland and would like to see a memorial for the brigaders in the city. At the event in 2023 a collaboration with the Association Solidarity Park based in Catalonia was formed. 

Together, Solidarity Sunderland aims to organise artists, historians, brigade families, and activists to campaign for a significant memorial to Sunderland’s international volunteers. With a focus on community participation and engaging young people, the group seeks to ensure that the lessons of this important historical moment resonate with future generations.

The best way to honour Sunderland’s volunteers is not just by remembering their sacrifice with a memorial but by inspiring young people to embrace their ideals. Educational institutions, students, trade unions and young workers are all encouraged to get involved in this effort to counter far-right ideologies and foster unity in our communities. Join us.

A meeting to discuss plans for commemorating Sunderland’s volunteers will be held on Saturday April 5 2025, from 10am-12pm at the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. Everyone is welcome — no matter your skills or experience, your contributions and ideas are valued.  For more information, email us at SolidaritySunderland@gmail.com.

The Solidarity Park Festival is held from May 30 to June 1 2025. Visit www.solidaritypark.com for details.

Collaborative projects: Solidarity Sunderland is one of four British-based art, history and education projects working directly with Solidarity Park and the International Brigades Memorial Trust. Similar initiatives are under way in Hull, Surrey and Wales. For more information on these, contact Rob at Sculpt@outa-space.com.