Description
Some of the 4,000 Basque refugees who arrived at Southampton on board the Habana from Bilbao during the Spanish Civil War (1937-1939). Initially, the British Government refused to accept refugees as it was a signatory to a non-intervention agreement with Spain. However, as hostilities escalated the British Government agreed to accept the children as long as there were no costs to the UK Govt. for their care. Thousands of volunteers, councils, churches, and trade unions took charge of their accommodation and ongoing needs. Many of the children returned to Spain but around two hundred and fifty remained permanently in the UK. From the Northcliffe collection, photo by Frank Rust May 23, 1937.