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BATTLEGROUND PERTHSHIRE is a concise account of the battles and minor military events that have taken place within the county of Perthshire. Comprising two thousand years of battles, raids, rebellions, sieges, riots, feuds, ambushes and skirmishes, Battleground Perthshire shines the spotlight on the military history of Scotland’s big county. Drawn from extensive primary and secondary sources: archives, eyewitness accounts and official records, it tells the fascinating stories of struggles for wealth, power, freedom and the right to self-determination. This chronicle of Perthshire’s military history stands as an important reminder of some of the events that have marked the development of the Scottish people. It will appeal both to the reader interested in the history of Scotland and to those interested in military history.

Battleground Perthshire can be bought from most bookshops in the Perthshire area: The Watermill at Aberfeldy; Sweet Words at Dunkeld; Waterstones - various stores including Perth; WHSmith - Perth and Pitlochry. And, in Perth Museum, the AK Bell Library, Gloagburn Farm Shop, the Brig Farm Shop by Bridge of Earn. Alternatively, it may be purchased for £7.00 with FREE postage and packing to any UK address {Please email for postage costs for locations outside UK}. Send cheque or postal order (payable to Tippermuir Books) to Tippermuir Books, c/o 3 Graham's Place, King Street, Perth, Perth, PH2 8HZ. It can also be bought through most of the UK online (internet) booksellers.

Spanish Thermopylae: Cypriot Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39 SPANISH THERMOPYLÆ is the story of the fifty-seven Cypriots who served in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39. It is also the story of a war that defined the lives of a generation and whose outcome decided the fate of hundreds of millions of people across the world. Drawing on recently released records from the Comintern Archive in Moscow, Spanish Thermopylae will appeal both to the reader interested in the experiences of the Cypriot volunteers, and to anyone looking for a concise history of the Spanish Civil War. 'This is the first book devoted solely to the contribution made by Cypriots to the cause of democracy and progress in the Spanish Civil War. It bears witness to the injustice committed against humanity by fascism in Spain and the inspirational sacrifices made by a small band of Cypriot volunteers. Spanish Thermopylae is a fitting tribute to them, and the International Brigades.' Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus 'True to the best traditions of their Greek forefathers, the heroes of the Greek War of Independence, the Cypriots rallied to the support of Spanish democracy and independence, realising that a defeat for the Spanish people would have meant world war. On the Spanish battlefields was being decided the fate of Europe and with it that of Cyprus. They recognised fascism as the greatest enemy of humanity and volunteered to help crush it... Many Cypriots lie buried in the Spanish soil fighting fascism. Cyprus is proud of her heroic sons who fell in the anti-fascist cause, but the fight is not over. We fight on until fascism is destroyed from the face of the earth.' Ezekias Papaioannou, Cypriot International Brigades volunteer and General Secretary of AKEL (1949-88) "Before many years have passed, their own countries will feel equally proud of the volunteers. That will be their best and highest reward." Juan Negrín, Prime Minister of the Spanish Republic (1937-39). It is available from www.amazon.co.uk

 

 


HISTORY

James Maxton - Orator & Politician

 

James Maxton (1885-1946) nationally loved orator and politician was born in Glasgow Pollockshaws in 1885. he was educated at the University of Glasgow graduating M.A. in 1909. Employed as a teacher from around 1905 and joined the Independent Labour Party in 1904 becoming its chairman in 1926-31 and 1934-9. During the Great War of 1914-18 James Maxton occupied a pacifist and conscientious objector position and was imprisoned for his political work in the shipyards (1916-17). He was elected MP (Labour - I.L.P.) for Glasgow Bridgeton between 1922-1946. Was involved in the I.L.P. disaffiliation from the Labour Party in 1932. James Maxton died at Largs in 1946.

It is believed that he visited in Perth and spoke on more than one occasion - this is the subject of further research.

He is the subject of a biography by McNair (1955).

 

"James Maxton was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1885. Both his parents were schoolteachers and he was encouraged to have an academic career. After being educated at Hutcheson's Grammar School and Glasgow University he became a schoolteacher in the city. Converted to socialism by speakers such as James Keir Hardie, Philip Snowden and Ramsay MacDonald, Maxton joined the Independent Labour Party.

Maxton was involved in the formation of teachers' unions in Scotland including the Educational Institute of Scotland and the Scottish Socialist Teachers' Society. With John Maclean, Maxton gave lectures on politics and economics in the Scottish Labour College.

Maxton began working closely with other socialists in Glasgow including John Wheatley, Emanuel Shinwell, David Kirkwood, William Gallacher, John Muir, Tom Johnston, Jimmie Stewart, Neil Maclean, George Hardie, George Buchanan and James Welsh.

By 1912 Maxton was the leading figure in the Independent Labour Party in Scotland. Like most members of the ILP, Maxton opposed Britain's involvement in the First World War. As a pacifist he refused to be conscripted into the armed forces. Maxton was also involved in organizing strikes in the shipyards, engineering and munitions factories. Dismissed as a teacher he was arrested in 1916 and charged with sedition. Found guilty, he was imprisoned for a year.

Maxton was defeated in the 1918 General Election and for the next four years was Divisional Organizer for the ILP and a member of the Glasgow Education Authority.

In the 1922 General Election Maxton was elected as MP for Bridgeton, Glasgow. Also successful were several other militant socialists based in Glasgow including John Wheatley, Emanuel Shinwell, David Kirkwood, John Muir, Tom Johnston, Jimmie Stewart, Neil Maclean, George Hardie, George Buchanan and James Welsh. The Clydesiders were constant critics of the moderate policies of Ramsay MacDonald. Maxton was also abusive about members of the Conservative Party and was several times suspended from the House of Comments for his comments.

In 1925 Maxton led the Socialism in Our Time campaign and the following year was elected as leader of the Independent Labour Party. Maxton also played a prominent role in the leadership of the trade unions during the 1926 General Strike.

Following the 1929 General Election, Maxton was highly critical of the Labour Government led by Ramsay MacDonald. When MacDonald formed the National Government in 1931, Maxton successfully persuaded the Independent Labour Party to break away from the Labour Party.

As a pacifist Maxton opposed rearmament in the 1930s and supported the appeasement policies of Neville Chamberlain. After the outbreak of the Second World War Maxton continued to argue for pacifism in the House of Commons. James Maxton, who wrote several books on politics, including The Life of Lenin (1932) and If I Were Dictator (1935) died in 1946."

 

 

 
email: ap@alternative-perth.org