The Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion (1937-1938)

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted April, 2009

Here, in a garden on the west side of the Legislature Buildings in Queen's Park, is a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque. Here's what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.66229 -79.39266

The "Mac-Paps" were a unit of the International Brigades, a volunteer force recruited world-wide to oppose the fascist forces bent on overthrowing the government of Spain. Formed in Spain in 1937, the battalion was named for the leaders of the 1837 rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada. Despite their government's opposition, more than 1500 Canadians volunteered to fight with the Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War. They fought courageously for their ideals, suffering heavy losses in major battles. About half survived to return home in 1939.

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Posted December 27, 2011
Reply to post of Dec. 21: The national Historic Sites and Monuments Board named the Battalion a "national historic event" in 1985, and the plaque was erected ten years later in 1995. -Wayne

Posted December 21, 2011
I had a relative who joined the Black Watch of Canada to fight in world war two after fighting in Spain. He had to change his name, but he told me the stories and sang the songs. Was this common? And when was this monument placed?

Posted July 11, 2011
A second plaque notes the origin of the rock. The plaque states: "Presented by the town of Gandesa, Spain. This rock is from the Gandesa battlefield."

Posted May 7, 2009
1500 Canadians volunteered to fight against fascism, WITHOUT the support of the government and this is the thanks they get? Some crummy plaque on a rock that nobody will ever see? Pathetic.

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