Jack Brent
In 1937, at the battle of Jarama, Brent was shot through
the spine while helping to collect the wounded. He never walked
again without the use of crutches and was in near constant pain for
the rest of his life.
On his return from Spain he joined the Communist Party.
Living in London during the Second World
War he worked to improve conditions in the city's air
raid shelters. He was also active in attempting to gain the release
of International Brigaders interned in concentration camps in
France, Spain in North Africa. He was Secretary of the
International Brigade Association and one of his successes was the
campaign to free Luis Longo, Inspector General of the International
Brigades who had been handed over to Mussoloni's secret police.
Brent obtained signatures of support from 275 MPs and members of
the House of Lords and persuaded the Pope to intervene in Longo's
favour. Longo was eventually freed from jail and risk of
execution.
A biography, 'Good to be Alive - the story of Jack Brent',
by Stanley Harrison was published in 1949.
Brent died in Whithorn in 1951. In 2006 the International
Brigade Association erected a commemorative plaque in the town in
his honour.
