Biography

Nelson, Robert William b. August 25, 1914, California; CP, Spanish CP; Received Passport# 32913 San Francisco series, on December 31, 1937 which listed his address as 481 North 6th Street, San Jose, California; Sailed January 12, 1938 aboard the Aquitania; Arrived in Spain via Massanet on January 23, 1938; Served with the XV BDE, Lincoln-Washington BN, Plaza Mayor; Rank Cabo; Deserted August 14th from the Ebro Front with Stanley Vernon, arrested by Spanish Authorities, claimed that he came to Spain for 6 month enlistment and having completed the time he considered himself through; Returned to the US on December 20, 1938 aboard the Ausonia; WWII Armed forces; d. May 18, 1997.

Sources: Sail; Scope of Soviet Activity; Figueres List; Pay; RGASPI (under Vernon, Stanley) Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 953, ll. 25-30 (includes a letter requesting to stay in the CP despite his desertion); Opis 6, Delo 1006, ll. 19-20. Code A

Photographs: Robert William Nelson in Spain, RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 953, and below Corporal Robert Nelson, Lincoln-Washington activist, April 1938. The 15th International Brigade Photographic Unit Photograph Collection; ALBA Photo 11; ALBA Photo number 11-0177. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries.; and in Spain.