Alternate name(s):
Costello
Nickname:
Tony, Bobby
Date of birth:
Saturday, 24 October 1914
Ethnicity/Nationality:
Canadian; Ukrainian
Profession:
road worker
Hometown(s):
Montreal, Quebec; Vancouver, British Columbia
Education:
primary school
Political affiliation:
Communist Party of Canada, 1935
Involvement in On-to-Ottawa Trek:
Participated in the On-to-Ottawa Trek, imprisoned for six months for participating in the Regina Riot.
Approximate date arrived in Spain:
1937-07-17
Unit:
Mackenzie Papineau Battalion,Co. 1; Served at Fuentes de Ebro, Teruel; Retreats, Seguro de los Baños and Ebro Offensive; Stationed in Badalona; Cited for valor at Seguro de los Baños; Bill Beeching says in an interview with the Regina Leader-Post that "Costello" distinguished himself by cutting barbed wire while under heavy machine gun and fire and grenade bombardment, allowing the Republicans to advance
Final status:
WIA February 15, 1938, likely during his actions at Segura de los Banos; Hospitalized in Benicassim; Survived; Returned to Canada February 24, 1939 on the Duchess of Richmond; d. November 4, 1988, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Sources:
Figueres List (under Bobby); RGASPI 545/6/543/ll. 13-51; Momryk; Petrou, Ancestry; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 543; Ancestry; BC Archives; Peter Edwards, "Recalling the Spanish Civil War," Regina Leader-Post, 13 October 1983
