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Veronica Ford & Jeff Russon

We are deeply sorry to announce that Veronica Ford (pictured) died on Saturday 8 Feb 2020, after a long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was only discovered long after the book was published, so her story was posted on this website but does not appear in the book. We offer our deepest condolences to her husband, Jeff Russon, and all her family. Veronica was a lifelong teacher and a member of the National Union of Teachers (now the National Education Union) and her actions as a London Recruit are mentioned in that union's book Pride, Passion, Professionalism - The NUT and the Struggle for Education 1870-2017. While a student at Swansea she was recruited to go to Botswana by Ruth First. May her life inspire us!

Veronica Ford

Veronica Ford ( ‘Jill’ )

In the Spring of 1970 I was 22 years old, near to finishing my degree at the University College of Swansea and living with my then-boyfriend Hugh Pearce (‘Jack’). We were both active in many left-wing campaigns, particularly against the war in Vietnam and against apartheid.

 Read Veronica's account here

Report of SA visit - Ken Keable

The South African Communist Party, at its congress in Boksburg, has today (14 July 2017) honoured the London Recruits with its Special Recognition Award. Ken Keable went to the congress, as a guest, to accept the award on behalf of all the Recruits and was introduced by Ronnie Kasrils. Here is the text of his speech.

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Ken Keable then and now.

 

AMANDLA!

Comrade chair, distinguished guests, comrades!

I am very proud to receive this award on behalf of all the London Recruits. It is a great honour for us all.

I am pleased to be accompanied on this platform by two other Recruits: comrade Ian Beddowes, who worked undercover in three of the frontline states and now lives in Johannesburg where he works on the staff of the SACP; and comrade Bob Newland, who set off leaflet bombs in Johannesburg in 1971 and spent eight dangerous weeks in South Africa in 1972, preparing for the arrival of a detachment of MK fighters by sea in a ship which, unfortunately, had to abort the mission because of engine trouble.

Read More

 

 

 

London Recruits trailer from London Recruits. 

The report below came from an edition of The African Communist in 1981. It refers to leaflet bombs placed by London Recruits Will Gee and 'Simon'.

Left to right, Bob Newland, Ken Keable, Bob Allen, Bill McCaig and Roger O’Hara.

 

http://www.liverpoolexpress.co.uk/2012/10/26/anti-apartheid-story-in-libraries/

London Recruits – the secret war against Apartheid” , the new book telling the story of the role Liverpool people played in bringing down apartheid is now available in the city’s libraries

It tells of how volunteers from London, Liverpool and other parts of Britain traveled to South Africa in the 1960s and 70s to work secretly for the then banned African National Congress (ANC).

“London Recruits” had its Liverpool launch at a recent event at Toxteth Library when some of the volunteers spoke about their experiences.

A number of copies are available for borrowing from libraries throughout the city

 

Buy book here

Hunt on for ANC Bombers.jpg

LONDON RECRUITS

The Secret War Against Apartheid

Compiled and edited by Ken Keable
With an introduction by Ronnie Kasrils and a foreword by Z. Pallo Jordan

The history of the Anti-Apartheid movement brings up images of boycotts and public campaigns in the UK. But another story went on behind the scenes, in secret, one that has been never told before. 

This is the story of the foreign recruits and their activities in South Africa, how they acted in defiance of the Apartheid government and its police on the instructions of the African National Congress. It tells of:

- ANC Banners that unfurled 
- ANC speeches that sounded through public places
- Buckets that exploded and showered ANC leaflets 
- Transportation of weapons, communications, logistics
- Helping ANC fighters to enter South Africa, 

- and more…..

Many recruits were Young Communists, others were Trotskyists or independent socialists; from the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the USA, and they all took amazing risks. 

Some paid a heavy price for their support. This is their untold story.

Royalties from this book will go to The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

ISBN. 978-0-85036-655-6 - 364 pages, 216 x 138 mm., paperback - Published in February 2012 - Price:£15.95

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