This is a continuation of my last blog post – I have new information!
I was in the Bishopsgate Institute Library last week (that amazing resource full of Labour Movement archives and history) and noticed a book for sale – “History of the Communist Party in the UK 1920-1950”.
The book had been owned by Chris and Betty Birch – long time communist party members who had donated their books to the Institute it appears
https://www.bishopsgate.org.uk/collections/chris-and-betty-birch-archive
Interestingly for his advocacy for AIDS charity London Lighthouse he was chosen as one of five volunteers from the organisation to walk behind the coffin at the funeral of Princess Diana – not sure how that sat with his political beliefs!
Looking inside I saw a whole chapter devoted to “The ARCOS RAID (1927)” and over 22 pages it goes into enormous detail about the raid and the fallout from it.
Clearly this was from a time when the Russian Revolution was relatively new and was still inspiring optimism in many progressive and radical circles, between Lenin’s death in 1924 and before Trotsky was expelled and Stalin’s grip really tightened.
This is shown very clearly by the questions asked in parliament in support of the Soviets from many members of the Labour Party and these amazing scenes in particular, when the Russian delegation left Victoria Station for Dover and departure.
“A huge crowd of friends and sympathisers, among them Mr Arthur Henderson (3 times leader of the Labour Party), Mr Walter Citrine, Mr Ben Tillett, Mr George Lansbury etc were gathered on the platform, many of the women laden with bouquets.
The appearance of the Russians at the barrier was the signal for a great outburst of cheering and the singing of the “International”. As the crowd pressed around the departing Russians, bouquets were showered on the Russian women.
Again and again the party had to pose for the photographers and ever louder the strains of the “International” rang throughout the station, intermingled with cheers for the Soviet Republic.
As the party reached their carriage, the policemen, in order to keep a gangway for them, had to link arms to keep back the surging cheering throng.
The Guards whistle sounded, the doors were closed and the train slowly moved out of the station, the big crowd cheering and singing, and the Russians bowing and waving.
Was this to be the last? Suddenly a voice shouted “You’ll soon be back”.
The Russians were still within earshot. They heard, smiled and waved back.
