Civil war in Spain

The coup was only partially successful. By October 1936 rebel forces (the nationalists) were in control of the south of Spain, but the far north and east of the country was still loyal to the Spanish government (the republicans).

By the spring of 1937 the fighting had reached a critical stage. Outgunned and outmanned the small government enclave in the north was now surrounded on all sides. To compound matters, the republican defenders were also being attacked from the air by squadrons of German warplanes (the Condor Legion) - sent to Spain by Adolf Hitler.

As refugees flooded into the city of Bilbao, the British government faced pressure to open its borders to civilians trapped in the republican enclave. At first the British government was reluctant to provide safe passage to refugees. However, following the public outcry surrounding the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica on 26th April 1937, the government relented. It would allow a limited number of children to land in the UK, but only on condition that no public funds were used to support them.

On the 21st May 1937, 3,826 children left Bilbao aboard the SS Habana. Two days later the ship landed at Southampton where a tented village had been prepared by the National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief (NJCSR). With the children safely out of the war zone, the NJCSR turned its attention to finding suitable accommodation for the refugees. One of those who answered the call for assistance was Richard Henry, Mayor of Swansea.

Swansea would take 80 children. The local council was prepared to place a large vacant property (Sketty Park House) at their disposal, but only on the understanding that the local community took responsibility for their maintenance.

► Read about the Basque children's arrival in Swansea ...