Billy Strachan 1921-1998 was a World War 2 R.A.F. hero, a Civil Rights pioneer and leader, a lifelong Communist, a prominent law officer, and a gifted writer. He was leader of Caribbean Labour Congress (London branch), an anti-racist and anti -fascist fighter, an indomitable campaigner against colonialism and a mentor to many who met him.
 

Speakers included Winston Pinder, veteran Caribbean activist and close comrade of Billy Strachan, Chris Strachan, his eldest son, and David Horsley author of 'Billy Strachan Above All Caribbean Man' explore the extraordinary life of Billy Strachan. Through these personal and professional accounts we got to learn more about the man behind the name.

On 14 November the Marx Memorial Library looked back at the Peterloo Massacre. Meirian Jump, Library Manager, opened the meeting by highlighting treasures in the library’s collection including a set of four commemorative ceramics from the James Klugmann Collection. Thanks to support from the Indian Workers Association and Unite the Union, these historic artefacts had been cleaned, photographed and catalogued in recent months, along with the rest of the MML’s ceramic collection.

Professor Mary Davis painted a rich picture of British radicalism in the run up to the 1819 massacre. Her paper underlined the economic hardship fell by many during this period of industrialisation, upheaval and unrest.

Dr Joe Cozens reflected on how Peterloo had been remembered by the left 1819-1919, focusing on themes of state violence, martyrdom, feminist politics and the conflict between democracy and capitalism. We learnt how the Chartists, suffragettes and the post WW1 trade union movement all drew on the memory of Peterloo at different moments during this period.

On 19 October we held a special commemorative event exploring the life of Charlie Hutchison, the only black Birtish veteran of the Spanish Civil War.

Life-long anti-fascist he was at Cable street, fought in Spain in the International Brigades and in numerous campaigns in WW2. Chair of his Young Communist League branch in Fulham in his teens, he was a passionate peace activist, trade unionist and socialist.

We heard from students of Newham Sixth Form college examining his motivations volunteering to go to Spain, and reflecting on his life through art and poetry.

It was an honour to welcome 16 members of the Hutchison family to MML. They shared moving tributes to Charlie, a quiet, brave, honest man who loved jazz, boxing and books.

#blackhistorymonth

Marx Memorial Library's annual May Day was a great success. Over 280 came through the door on International Workers' Day. We welcomed visitors on tours of our historic building and with a special display of our newly digitised poster collection. At midday guest speakers addressed the crowds from the steps of Marx House. We heard from Harsev Bains, MML trustee, on the centenary of the Amritsar Massacre, and from the Venezuelan Ambassador, Rocio Maneiro. She addressed the demonstration announcing that 'the Venezuelan people will defend their revolution'.

Photo credit: Karl Weiss

Marx Memorial Library

The inaugural Engels Memorial Lecture joint with the Working Class Movement Library, Salford, held at the Marx Memorial Lecture 28 November 2018.

Professor Terrell Carver 'Engels Before Marx' from Marx Memorial Library on Vimeo.