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.
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.
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.
London Recruits trailer from London Recruits.
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
