A LYDNEY man has just been honoured by the Spanish Government as one of the last seven surviving volunteers who fought in the Spanish Civil War.

Geoffrey Servante, 90 earlier this year, was just 19 when he decided to join the Inter­enational Brigade to fight against General Franco's nationalists.

He heard recently on the radio that Spain had bestowed citizen­ship of what they thought were the last six British volunteers who had served with the Brigade in the war, which ran from 1936 to 1939.

Surprised, he said: "I must be the seventh!"

His family contacted the Spanish Embassy and, after providing documentary proof, he was invited to London to sign a declaration and receive a Spanish passport.

In 1936 the French Government had closed the border to stop volunteers from entering Spain. Geoffrey, who was a seaman, joined a ship which was going that way. 

Leaving the ship at Valencia, he found his way to the headquarters of the Brigade and offered his services.  Being truthful, he gave his real age, only to be told he was too young to fight at the front with the infantry.  He was, however, allowed to train as a gunner. 

Training was under Russian instructors and, when considered ready, Geoffrey and his colleagues were sent towards the front to ply their new found trade, using ancient Russian artillery pieces. 

He survived two near misses, then the League of Nations ordered the withdrawal of all foreign nationals from the conflict and he made his way home through France.

Back at home Geoffrey joined the British Army. They were not impressed with his artillery qualifications, and placed him in the R.A.O.C., and later R.E.M.E. He then spent much of the Second World War in Egypt.