Unity

From Unity, 21 February 2009

Final farewell to Bob

by Lynda Walker

On Saturday [14 February] the best part of O’Connell Street in Dublin was filled with more than a thousand marchers in tribute to Bob Doyle, communist and anti-fascist fighter. Bob died on 22 January 2009, aged ninety-two. A lone piper led the march, followed by Bob’s family, the youngest of whom was Bob’s great-granddaughter Nancy. Her pram was used to carry Bob’s ashes and was decorated for the purpose with the Connolly Column banner. Close behind the family was the banner of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, followed by the Communist Party of Ireland banner, SIPTU, and other trade union banners. Republican banners of various shades were also present.
     The march went to Liberty Hall, where wreaths were laid beneath the plaque that is dedicated to the brigadistas. Ana Pérez of the Amigos had travelled from Spain; she laid one of the wreaths and recalled how Bob had never given up the fight against fascism.
     Speaking on behalf of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, Marlene Sidaway said that at his funeral on Tuesday someone had said how Bob’s greatest legacy was his family, and she emphasised the need for the young people to carry on the struggle for justice that Bob had been involved in all his life, and the that the IBMT upheld the memory of the Brigaders.
     Inside Liberty Hall more speeches were heard, with Manus O’Riordan, son of Mick, who also fought in Spain. Tom Redmond spoke about how his father and Bob were friends and comrades and shared struggles together in London, whilst Francie Molloy (Sinn Féin MLA for Dungannon-South Tyrone) told of his travels with Bob in Spain and of how he was an inspiration to us all. Bob’s son Robert also spoke, and his friend Harry Owens chaired the meeting. Some great workers’ songs were sung by Eric Fleming.
     Bob’s sons, grandchildren and other relatives were present, as were friends and family of British, Irish and Spanish brigaders. It was appropriate that the day was 14 February, a day on which to show love and respect for a great man.
     We salute you, Bob.
     This was the second event for Bob, as his actual funeral took place in Golders Green, London, on Tuesday 10 March. Many people gathered in London, including two of the four surviving comrades from the International Brigade, Jack Jones and Sam Russell, to hear his sons, granddaughter and others speak about Bob’s life. His son Robert actually read one of Bob’s speeches and his grandson chaired the event. His other son, Julian, related some tales, saying, “Bob did not say prayers, but there was one meal time when we said grace, when Dad had poached pheasant from a grand estate, and as we sat down for the meal Dad said, ‘May we be truly thankful, Lord Pomeroy, for the meal we are about to eat.’”
     Much of what was said about Bob was related to his lifelong fight against the capitalist system. As on Saturday, the “International” was sung.
     Afterwards his family and friends gathered together in a cricket club in Cricklewood, and, as the song says, “the crack was good in Cricklewood.” Bob would have enjoyed it.

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