This is just a partial explanation of the information above. It identifies my uncle Galo, where he is from, his date of birth and age, marital status, religion, his physical description, his occupation; the typical information you might find in any military document. I have highlighted a few areas of interest.

What was unusual about this military unit is that it was a “workers’ unit” consisting of captured Republican soldiers. POWs who became forced labor used by Franco’s military during and after the war for various projects. One major project the POWs were used for was the construction of El Valle de los Caídos after the end of the war. Also, for clearing the rubble created by the war and rebuilding infrastructure. This was another form of repression employed by Franco’s regime, providing conditions where the POWs were exploited for their labor and where many died as a result of such conditions, as was the case with my uncle and the other 268 Republican soldiers who died at the Military Hospital in Guernica between 1938-1940.

Of particular note on this document is that his “political party” is listed as “none.” I am sure identifying yourself as belonging to any party other than a right-wing party would have been inadvisable under the circumstances. It also says he was taken prisoner in Unquera, Santander (now Cantrabria, near the border with Asturias) on September 9, 1937;* that he was with Republican Battalion 234 when he was captured and that he was at the POW camp in Santa Espina, Valladolid before being transferred to the Workers’ Battalion on January 1, 1938.

* Dates in Europe usually list the day first, followed by the month (ex. 4-9-37 is September 4, 1937).