Tom Spiller

Tom Spiller, photographed in the late 1930s.

Spiller was a New Zealand communist who fought with the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. He arrived in Barcelona via London and the steep mountain trails of the Pyrenees before being thrown into action at Jarama in February 1937. He lost his close friend from Napier Fred Robertson in this battle. Spiller was badly wounded in July during the Battle of Brunete.

After recovering from his wounds he was asked to recruit men for the International Brigade. He spoke at meetings in Australia and helped form Spanish Aid Committees. He returned to New Zealand but was unsuccessful in recruiting more fighters. He was denied the opportunity to rejoin the war when the decision was made to withdraw the International Brigades.