Following on from Rolf's introduction to films in Issue One, here are some of my own observations primarily aimed at helping fellow researchers in the art of locating source material in its many forms.

There have been a number of documentaries featured on TV in recent months and years now past. A good many appeared on the BBC so watch out for repeats! Several were tucked away in the "Schools" after midnight slot. Naturally, I always catch the tale end of many! The net result is that one only catches a brief glimpse and I have several partial video recordings of what was on offer. Some prime examples follow:

One such late night vision, title unknown, featured some literary figures and in particular W H Auden who was described as 'a Poet and Anti-Fascist who went to Spain as an ambulance driver on the Republican side'. My interest concerns a displayed photograph showing the Bedford which one is led to believe he drove. I already know that this is one of two vehicles (according to a Bedford history book) shipped to Spain driven by the Poet Julian Bell who was killed soon afterwards. Strange coincidence I feel. Did they travel there as part of the same team I wonder. Or maybe some-one has their wires crossed! A front view of this vehicle appears in the Osprey Elite No.53 (International Brigade in Spain). [If anyone has any more information on the above subject please contact me.]

Another show was dedicated to those who travelled to Spain as Writers & Reporters such as the American Martha Gellhorn who continued her work during W.W.II in Europe. There was some interesting contemporary film footage inserted between the interviews.

One feature that did get some publicity was the BBC's Half-Hour Video Diary "Rebel Without a Pause," starring Bob Doyle, who revisited Spain to seek recognition for the Jarama Memorial Association, a tribute to the International Brigade. No old SCW footage shown, however it was an interesting programme nevertheless.

One to look out for is the BBC's Timewatch titled "Beside Franco in Spain," an hour special which tended to jump around all over the place. Paul Preston amongst others was interviewed. Though this programme seemed to be obviously biased at least it was interspersed with old film footage. Seems that much of the contemporary clip stuff came from the archives of "Movietone News" (with such titles as Madrid Government Prepares to resist Franco's Assault), "Gaumont British News" (Desperate Battle for Madrid [Good footage of T26's, artillery, troops, cars & trucks] and Guernica) and "Pathe Gazetteer" (Spain: Fierce fighting near the Portugese Border). Does anyone know the home of this material for the lead obviously needs following up. End credits listed "the Spanish Club." More details anyone?

Turning to contemporary films, "This Spanish Earth", made with Hemingway's involvement was once aired on TV. There are few afv highlights but what exist is welcomed, if not intriguing! One of early scenes shows what appears to be an armoured car and its accompanying loudspeaker horn mounted on a lorry. I had always thought that the former was a mock-up or false afv, note its luggage rack. Careful scrutiny of the background to the radio operator inside his van shows the interior which I suspect is the innards of the 'a/car'. Our next scene is what I assume to be 1st Mixed 'Lister's'decorative Barber shop van (bearing the inscription 1A Mixta 1st Jefe Lister & Pelvoueria). The shack body seems to be built onto a German Opel Blitz truck. Throughout the film, a ZIS5 truck amongst odd civilian lorries, keeps cropping up, as does an FT17 tank. A final scene shows a batch of T26's in action, presumably going into battle, one bears the serial 361. The camera work leaves a lot to be desired however, with most views too dark or far away to see anything at close quarters. Tacked onto this is a scene showing casualties which are being tended and loaded into transportation, one vehicle being a private car whilst the ambulance appears to be a one-off box body mounted onto a l.5 Ton Ford? (License C1.101). Further views would be welcome.

Other films that exist are "Durruti" and "To Die in Madrid," where are they?

Societies/Archives

During my ovn research I have conteeted a number of different sources, all of which responded positively providing information to a varying degree. Strange as it may seem, it is worth writing to such organisations, most of whom sent additional details covering their opening times, location, a site contact and photographic print cost.

I have met with some success already, as my interest also includes ambulances, I wrote to the British Red Cross, who suggested I also contact the UK Save The Children Fund and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Briefly, each confirmed their activities during the SCW. The results are worth mention here:

The International Committee of the Red Cross is based in Geneva, both Belgium and Switzerland sent ambulances to Spain. As proof, a number of photocopies from the ICRC Review were kindly supplied showing trucks, ambulances and buses loaded with supplies prior to their departure. The Quakers provided me with a printed list of text references they hold for viewing (by appointment) at their headquarters. As for the International Union of Save The Children Fund, their UK branch supplied me with one copied picture of a supply truck destined for Spain in 1937.

I have two other archives noted on file, though I have not personally visited either as yet, they are the "National Museum of Photography & Television" in Bradford, and the "South Wales Miner's Library" located in Swansea. Do we have any members living nearby that could check out these sites?

Photographic Archives

Have you ever wondered where all those old pictures have gone! I have. Take a look at the picture sources in old publications of the 1930's, most photographs are captioned and bear the name of a press agency. At least two major magazines were around then, one was "Illustrated London News", while the other was "Sphere." Plus there was a host of countless smaller ones too, if only one can find out what their titles were! Ever tried to find Fox Photo's? Just one of many photographic agencies that existed. I located a useful guide in my library which is a sort of (old) handbook. Listed under 'Stock Shot Libraries', a number of addresses exist. Beware, these sources may have been sold off, changed hands, moved locations, or simply disappeared only to re-appear again under a different name.

Thus, chasing the source of Hulton, Fox etc can be a bit of a time consuming job trying to track them down. I eventually found that the 'Keystone Collection' are now part of Fox Photo's. But the story does not end there. Fox is now part of the Hulton-Deutsch Collection. When I rang to make an appointment, I was told that a fee is now required to inspect the archives, obviously it is aimed at paid researchers and I can't afford the going rate. I understand that this is a commercial library and a research fee of œ25 per day is payment for them to undertake a search on your behalf. Current address is: Unique House, 21-31 Woodfield Road, London, W9 2BA (Tel:0171-266-2662) (near Westbourne Park Tube Station). For those interested, the current contact point is Mandy McKenna. I am trying to obtain details for the non media visitor and arrange a 'free pass'.

I had more luck with "Illustrated London News" which is now based at: 20 Upper Ground, London, SE9 4PF. Tel 0171-928-2111), whom I thought kept their own picture collection. Wrong! They only hold back issues at their library. However, when I inspected their set some-one armed with scissors had already beaten me to it, almost every page referring to Spain had been cut out!?! This is a non fee paying establishment.

Has anyone checked out Popperfoto Ltd?

Magazine/Newspaper Sources

Apart from the aforementioned chronicles, other smaller and unknown titles have come to light. The main problem is trying to locate a source which holds copies for the relevant Spanish war years. My list so far includes - News Chronicle, Listener, Newsweek, Time, Weekly News (New Zealand), Weekly Illustrated and, perhaps the most famous, Picture Post.

Doubtfulness creeps in when one cannot establish which year these journals started. I can confirm that the 'Listener' existed in 1936 because I found a copy showing some Spanish artillery in action. Similarly, the 'Weekly News (NZ)' and 'Weekly Illustrated' existed. 'Picture Post' seemed to be a late starter with its first issue dated 1/10/1938 running past W.W.II. It has little to offer except some stock 'troop and ruin' shots, no afv pictures whatsoever.

It is also worth remembering that only eight national newspapers existed in the UK in 1938. This is a good indicator of what to check for should you be lucky enough to find that your local area library holds copies. This in itself is worth checking out. I found that my main reference library holds some early 'Picture Post'. Anyway, to continue, the known tabloids are; Daily Telegraph, Daily Sketch, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Herald and the News Chronicle.

Other Research Establishments in London

Having been active in the City for some years now, it is amazing how many places contain old reference material, be it photographs, books, magazines, newspapers and the like. Best of all is that most are free to enter. If you live in or close to a large city, then believe me, there are similarly facilities near you, one only has to search them out. For those in London and the South, the following are good places to start. But, there are problems and drawbacks as you will find from the key below.

Westminster Reference Library (off Leicester Square): Advantages are that some newspapers is stored on microfilm and one can inspect whole timespans in a relatively short time. This is a busy location and the principal drawbacks are: (i) (ii) (iv) (X).

Greater London Record Office (Islington): Not so well known as other sources and it is quieter and more casual. Although (ii) applies, I found my material already there and waiting for me if requests are placed the day before. (ii) (iv) (vi) (*).

British Library and Museum (Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG): Another busy location. The Directories are very haphazard. (i) (ii) (v) (X)

Poor 'Joe Public' guide to the type of service one receives at these centres. Key:-

(i) Everlasting waits. (ii) Material has to be pre-ordered (day/s) before. (iii) Once you find the pages you are interested in some fiend may have cut out the pages! (iv) Gaps in publications. (v) Identity Card required ie photographic pass. (vi) One should 'Sign-in'. (*) Helpful Staff. (X) Ignorant Staff.

This concludes what I hope has been a short guide to various means of research that might have previously been overlooked. Naturally, if anyone has further ideas to add, please let us know and we can publish them in future issues.

Well recommended!!!