Alternate name(s):
Hubert
Date of birth:
Saturday, 22 February 1913
Ethnicity/Nationality:
Scottish
Profession:
salesman; later an author
Hometown(s):
Toronto, Ontario; Batley, Scotland
Education:
high school, grade 10
Political affiliation:
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Approximate date arrived in Spain:
1937-02-02
Unit:
Served with Engineers as a telephonist at Albacete; Artillery; Went AWOL and joined Abraham Lincoln Battalion, Machine Gun Company; Sent to the Genie disciplinary battalion on 26 May 1937; AWOL again and joined the 39th Mixed Brigade; Returned to Lincoln Battalion and joined the Canadian section
Final status:
Hospitalized to see urologist; Not permitted to leave; Survived; Returned in October 1937; Served for six years in the Merchant Marine during World War II
Disciplinary record in Spain:
Listed as a deserter; In disciplinary battalion; Given a dishonourable discharge
Other:
Shortly before discharge carried a wounded comrade 8 kilometres for medical help. Became a writer after WWII. Most notable for writing Cabbagetown, which involves the Spanish Civil War. Also wrote Hugh Garner's Best Stories, several of which involve Spain and the 1930s.
Sources:
RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 549, ll. 22-25; NAC, M-P Collection, Cecil- Smith, V. 1, F. 15, "Hugh Garner – report from Spain reviewing some of the events leading up to the War, how the war was progressing and a glimpse to the future," 6 pages; NAC, M-P Collection, Dent, V. 3, F. 7, Subject Files, Garner, Hugh: Press obituary, 1979; Hoar; Momryk; Petrou; Hoff
