Tom Oldershaw

1914 –1938

London Clarion Cyclist and Spanish Civil War Hero

In addition to being a London Clarion Cyclist he was a Carpenter and member of the Battersea Number 2 branch of the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers. He seconded a motion to the local Trades Council to establish an Aid to Spain committee and was a member of the Aid to Spain sub-committee of the Trades Council, as well as its Secretary, for a period. He died in 1938 fighting in the Spanish Civil War against General Franco aged 23.

Streatham News, Friday 2nd September 1938

Battersea Men Killed in Spain Two Battersea men have been killed fighting for the Republican forces in Spain. They were Mr. Tom Oldershaw, Reform-street, and Mr. David Guest, who lived in Leathwaite-road until he took up an educational appointment at Southampton a year ago. Mr. Oldershaw, who went to Spain in August of last year, was a carpenter, and used to be secretary of the Battersea Aid Spain Committee. He was an ardent member of the Battersea Borough Trades Council, and devoted the greater part of his time to trades union and' party activities. At one time he was a member of the Battersea and Clapham Branch of Toc H, Mr. Guest, who had been fighting in Spain since’ the .early spring, was actively concerned with the formation of the Young Communists’ League in Battersea. and was secretary until he left the district. He was a Cambridge graduate. A memorial march will be held on Sunday week, followed by a meeting in the Town Hall.

Daily News (London), Saturday 03 September 1938

MARCH FOR BRITONS WHO DIED IN SPAIN MUFFLED drums will roll and the "Red Flag" will be played as 2,500 people march in procession in Battersea on Sunday, September IL. This is how their comrades will honour David Guest and Tom Oldershaw, two Battersea men recently killed in Spain. Starting from Queen's Circle at 6 p.m,. the marchers, headed by leaders of local working-class organisations and carrying massive portraits of Guest and Oldershaw, Red flags and Spanish flags, will go to the Town Hall.

Sunday 11 September 1938

TODAY BATTERSEA Pays Tribute to the Fallen. David Guest and Tom Oldershaw (who died defending Democracy with the Republican Forces in Spain). Memorial march leaves Queen Circus (Battersea( at 6 p.m. (assemble 5.45). led by a contingent of the International Brigade, followed by the Battersea Trades and Labour Council and other working-class organisations (with draped banners), with bands playing funeral and slow music. Proceeding to Battersea Parkroad. through Falcon-road. to Lavender-hill. Memorial meetings at 7.45 p.m. at Battersea Town Halls (Large and Small) and outdoor meeting (collection for Dependents aidl. Speakers: Professor Levy, Ted Bramley. H. Tribe (Shop Assistants' Union), H. Hunter (A.S.W.), Ivor Montague. David Burke (Nat. Council Y.C.L.). and other speakers from, local organisations. Chairman: Dan Lewis. Pay Your Tribute to the Men Who Have Died Defending Freedom.

Western Star - Friday 16 September 1938

KILLED IN SPAIN
Memorial March and Meeting

A large number of people took part on Sunday in the memorial march and meeting for Tom Oldershaw and David Guest, two Battersea men who were recently killed in Spain while fighting for the Spanish Government. The march was impressive in its she. Led by standard-bearers carrying 121 high standards, draped in black, the procession marched to the slow beat of the muffled drums of the South-West London Youth band. The Funeral March in "Saul" and an arrangement a "The Red Flag" were played by the North London Workers' band. The Spanish flag and the Red flag were borne In the procession, which was accompanied by officials of trade unions, 40 members of the International Brigade (who had fought and been wounded In Spain), and representatives of Battersea Trades Council. among them Councillor Lewin (who carried a banner) and other councillors.

The Communist party and Young Communist League were well represented. There were banners bearing large pictures of Tom Oldershaw and David Guest, and a roll of honour bearing the names of Ralph Pox, D. Balleran, Mick Kelly, and Martin Messer - other Battersea men killed In Spain. PACKED MEETINUS The procession took over 11 hours m Queen's Circus. Battersea, to Battersea Town Hall. The Town Hall and the Lower Town Hall were packed for the meeting & Mr. Dan Lewis. of the Battersea Communist party, was one and Mr. Pateman presided over the other. Two large wreaths. sent by Mrs. Sines, were on vacant chairs OD the platform of the Town Ball. Both halls were decorated with banners and mottoes. including. - They live for ever in the memory of the Battersea workers." and - Swear that our dead fought not in vain." ;There was a roll of honour 161 t. high. diming the melee of those who fought for the Spanish those who attended the march and meetings were Dr. Haden Guest, Labour M.P. for North Islington, and Mrs. Carmel Batten Guest, the novelist. (parents of David Guest), Mr. Peter Guest (brother), Mr. and Mrs. M. Oldershow (parents of Tom Oldershaw), and relatives and other friends of both families. Speakers at the meetings were Messrs. B. M. Tribe (Bhop Msuitants' Union), H. PhiUinta; (president of the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers). I. Montague (cousin of David Guest). T. Bramley (secretary of the London Communist party). D. Burka lot the national council of the Young Communist League), Prof. Levy. and Councillor Coles (on behalf of Battersea Trades Council and Labour party).

London and Southern Counties Union of Clarion Cyclists Magazine October 1938.

In Memoriam to Tom Oldershaw

It is with deepest regret that we have to record the death in Spain, of a member of Clapham section. Tom Oldershaw was 24 years age and a carpenter by trade. He was one of the most staunch fighters for the socialist cause, being vice-president of his trade union branch (A.S.W.), a member the Battersea Communist Party, and Battersea Trades Council and the first secretary of the Aid Spain Committee. He did a tremendous amount of work for the Battersea Labour Party for many months.

He was a keen cyclist and rode with Clapham section for many months. In company of another comrade Edgar Priest, he cycled through France and Germany and crossed the Pyrenees. He was an ideal clubman, having a ready wit and a sense of humour. He volunteered to fight against Franco and was in the thick of the fighting during the Fascist push at Aragon in March of this year. During a rear guard action he was severely wounded, and his comrades were forced to leave him on the field in their retreat. Every effort has been made to trace him, but he is not among the list of prisoner, nor can he be found in the hospitals of France.

After months of anxiety we are forced to the conclusion that he must have died on the battlefield. It is sad indeed, to know that we no longer have this wonderful and heroic comrade in our ranks.