Robert Mackie
On 4th October 1909 Robert Henry Mackie was born to Thomas and Charlotte Mackie of 2 Cliffe Terrace, Ryhope. Thomas worked for J L Thompson and Sons, at their North Sands Shipyard, Robert was their fourth child.
Robert found it difficult to gain steady employment, he worked as a general labourer, which is possibly why he joined the Communist Party and NUWM in 1931. In April 1934 Robert married Mary Parish in Sunderland and later that year was part of the Northeast contingent on the National Hunger March.
In April 1937, after speaking to Frank Graham, who had returned home briefly, Robert and his friend William Lower set off for Spain. They were both aboard the SS Ciudad de Barcelona when it was attacked on 30th May 1937. Robert managed to swim ashore, but William Lower was killed.
After surviving the sinking of the Ciudad de Barcelona Robert joined the British Battalion, he was enlisted on 18th May 1937, he gave his home address as 11 Firth Square, Ford End, Sunderland.
Robert was with the British Battalion for just over six weeks before he was killed at the Battle of Brunete on 7th July 1937. Six months after his death, in January 1938, Robert’s widow Mary gave birth to a son, whom she named Robert.
Compiled by Tony Fox
Solidarity Park 