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CAMPAIGNERS in Burnley are raising funds for a memorial to honour men and women from north-east Lancashire who fought in the International Brigades during the Spanish civil war.
A meeting will be held at Burnley town hall on Tuesday August 27 at 6pm to discuss the proposed memorial to those from Burnley and the surrounding area who left their communities to defend the Spanish republic.
It has hoped that the campaign to build a memorial in Burnley town centre will also spur a revival of interest in Lancashire’s volunteers, and lead to new information on local volunteers being unearthed.
![Richard Baxell speaking at the Marx Memorial Library in London [Pic: Karl Weiss]](https://msd11.gn.apc.org/sites/default/files/styles/desktop/public/2026-07/RichardBaxell22Jul23.jpeg.webp?itok=HCh8iPRb)
Driven by anti-fascism and anger at Britain’s policy of non-intervention, thousands volunteered to fight in the Spanish civil war. Historian RICHARD BAXELL reflects on their sacrifices and enduring significance
![Helen Oclee-Brown at the International Brigade memorial in London in 2025 [Pic: Andrew Wiard]](https://msd11.gn.apc.org/sites/default/files/styles/desktop/public/2026-07/HelenOcleeBrownAndrewWiard.jpg.webp?itok=Im3v5bH2)
HELEN OCLEE-BROWN on keeping alive the memory and spirit of the Brigaders
![Harry Pollitt (right) with International Brigade volunteer David Guest, who was killed at the Ebro in July 1938 [Pic: Marx Memorial Library]](https://msd11.gn.apc.org/sites/default/files/styles/desktop/public/2026-07/a-2_a_50b_Harry%20Pollitt_David_Guest.jpg.webp?itok=Ag0u-8n5)
ALEX GORDON applauds the leading role played by Harry Pollitt and the Communist Party in the fight against fascism in Spain and salutes the memory of the International Brigades
JIM JUMP looks forward to the International Brigade Memorial Trust AGM taking place in Belfast later this week where the spirit of solidarity will be rekindled