John Patrick McElligott | Canadian Cultural History About The Spanish Civil War

Alternate name(s):

Pat; Paddy; Jack

McEllicott; McGillogott; McElligot

Date of birth:

Sunday, 21 May 1905

Marital status:

married Iona Andrew

Ethnicity/Nationality:

Irish

Profession:

miner; sailor; farm worker; possibly boxer

Hometown(s):

Vancouver, British Columbia; Nanaimo, British Columbia; Yukon; New Westminster, British Columbia; Annascual, County Kerry, Ireland

Date of immigration to Canada:

Sunday, 21 April 1929

Education:

elementary school, grade 3

Political affiliation:

Communist Party of Canada, 1934

Affiliations to union and social groups:

International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers; Lumber and Sawmill Workers' Union; League Against War and Fascism; Involved in strikes and demonstrations; Relief camp organizer

Involvement in On-to-Ottawa Trek:

Participated in the On-to-Ottawa Trek. Lived in relief camps.

Prior military experience:

Irish Republican Army, 1918-26; Canadian Militia, Third Field Ambulance

Approximate date arrived in Spain:

1937-10-26 arrived

Unit:

Mackenzie Papineau Battalion; Special Machine Gun Battalion; Infantry instructor in Tarazona; Rank Sargento

Final status:

WIA during a bombardment; Hospitalized; Survived; Decorated for bravery; Returned to Canada; Served as Merchant Marine during World War II; Died in 1984

Disciplinary record in Spain:

In disciplinary unit; Also jailed

Other:

Involved with the MacPap Veterans Association

Sources:

Figueres List; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 559, ll. 39-46; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 559, ll. 1-2; McLoughlin; Momryk; Petrou; Ancestry; BC Archives