George Nathan
British International Brigade volunteer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Samuel George Montague Nathan (20 January 1895 – 16 July 1937) was an English soldier who served in the British Army during World War I, the Royal Irish Constabulary's Auxiliary Division during the Anglo-Irish War and the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. During his service in the Auxiliary Division, Nathan was suspected of being involved in the assassination of two Sinn Féin politicians, which later contributed to the alienation of Irish volunteers in the International Brigades from their British counterparts during the Spanish Civil War.[1]
Samuel George Montague Nathan | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | George Nathan |
Born | 20 January 1895 Hackney, London, England |
Died | 16 July 1937(1937-07-16) (aged 42) Madrid, Spain |
Allegiance | British Empire Second Spanish Republic |
Service/ | Army Cyclist Corps (1913-17) Royal Warwickshire Regiment (1917-20) Auxiliary Division (1920-21) West Yorkshire Regiment (1921-22) Royal Fusiliers (1925-26) International Brigades (1936-37) |
Rank | Lieutenant (British Army) Major (International Brigades) |
Commands held | Chief of Staff of the XV International Brigade |
Battles/wars | World War I Anglo-Irish War Spanish Civil War |
In the Spanish Civil War, Nathan initially commanded the British company of the majority-French Marseillaise Battalion but was appointed battalion commander in early 1937 following the execution of his predecessor for espionage.[2] Nathan later became Chief of Staff of the XV International Brigade and was killed in action on 16 July 1937 at the Battle of Brunete.[3] Even though he had been turned down in his attempt to join the Communist Party of Great Britain either because of his "sexual orientation" or because of his unwillingness to "pretend great political enthusiasm" - Comintern observers admired him for his "cool arrogance under fire".[4][5]