Basque Child Refugees in Manchester during the Spanish Civil War
Written by library volunteer Peter, this account explores the arrival and experiences of over 250 Basque child refugees in Manchester and the rest of the UK during the Spanish Civil War. These children, fleeing fascist bombings in Spain, were temporarily sheltered by local volunteers across the country. Despite challenges, local communities showed remarkable compassion and support, captured in the personal stories, press reports, and archival materials featured in the library’s collection.
On 21 May 1937, the cruise ship ‘Habana’ set sail from Bilbao with 3,826 Basque children, 219 female teachers and 15 priests on board. At the time, it was the biggest single influx of refugees in British history. The Home Office bowed to pressure from the Basque Children’s Committee and allowed the children temporary refuge as Franco’s fascist forces bombarded Bilbao and German warplanes bombed defenceless villages such as Guernica. The Manchester Guardian hoped that the British people’s ‘kindness and time should heal, at least for the younger ones, the scars left by the horrible experiences of modern warfare.’ Images and reports in our collection show how the ‘Basque Babies’ became a symbol not only as victims of fascist aggression but were the ‘first escapees from the war of modernity.’
Catalogue Reference: EVT/SPAIN/4/12/7
Support for the anti-fascist, republican forces in the Spanish Civil War resulted in the ‘most widespread and representative mass movement in Britain since Chartism and the Anti-Corn Law League. Groups as disparate as the Communist Party of Great Britain, Society of Friends, Christian groups, Women’s groups all shared a horror of the war and acted. The Manchester and District Joint Council for Spanish Relief co-ordinated local efforts and sent food and medical aid to Republican territories. The bombing of Guernica focused attention on the children and three days later, the British government agreed to admit the refugees so long as no public money was spent and the Spanish stipulated that they be kept in groups to preserve their identity. Our collection has many examples of the public’s fundraising and generosity.
Basque ‘colonies’ were established across Britain with over 250 children settling in Manchester. The Catholic Church ran centres such as The House of Our Lady of Lourdes in East Didsbury, whilst those less devout were housed in a renovated mansion at Watermillock near Bolton.
On 9 June 1937, 50 Basque children arrived at Watermillock and were cheered by over 400 local people. and were housed in a centre that was run entirely by volunteers. The children were well fed, but education provision was limited. Early press reports congratulated them on their good spirits, but there was some dissent that they were better fed than poorer British children. Any misbehaviour or tensions with the local community were reported by the national press, although the Manchester Guardian painted a different picture in August 1937, describing the refugees as ‘laughing and singing like normal children’, despite having many harrowing memories of the air raids. Some lessons did take place and health visitors monitored the children regularly.
Catalogue Reference: EVT/SPAIN/4/12/8
After the fall of Bilbao in the late summer of 1937, Franco’s government lobbied for the children’s return and most children were gradually returned to their families, although those from left-wing families remained for their own safety. In Manchester, communities welcomed the refugees and supported them with volunteers and funds. One refugee, Esperenza, remembers that ‘we came across some very kind people who treated us extremely well and I shall always be grateful.’ However, the short-term nature of their stay meant that their education was ‘much neglected.’
Our collection has renowned academic studies by Bill Williams and Natalia Benjamin and many primary documents that bring the Basque refugee experience in Manchester and across the country to life. There is also a website depicted to the Basque refugees at www.basquechildren.org
Catalogue Reference: EVT/SPAIN/4/12/8