County in Awe of Basque Refugee Kit Response

A Unique Tribute to a Forgotten Chapter in History

Newport County officials have been deeply moved by the overwhelming response to their new commemorative kit, which honors the story of Basque refugee children who fled the Spanish Civil War. This initiative not only celebrates a significant historical event but also highlights the strong connection between Newport and the Basque region.

In 1937, a group of 36 children from Bilbao were relocated to Caerleon to escape the conflict. Some of their descendants still reside in the town today, keeping the memory of this chapter alive. On Tuesday night, the club officially unveiled the away kit, modeled after Athletic Bilbao's iconic red and white stripes, during a match that secured their place in the Carabao Cup main draw after a penalty victory over Barnet.

Neal Heard, the club's creative director, expressed his emotional reaction upon first seeing the kit. "I shed a tear when I first saw it," he admitted. He noted that more shirts were sold abroad than in the UK during the initial launch, highlighting the global interest in the story.

Heard, a self-proclaimed history enthusiast, first proposed the idea last year after growing up in the area and learning about the Basque children's story. However, he was surprised to discover that even among locals, this piece of history had been largely forgotten. "I've been surprised how many Newportonians have said 'we never knew about it'," he said.

The relocation of these children was part of a larger effort during the Spanish Civil War, which pitted General Franco's Nationalists against Republican forces. Over 4,000 children were evacuated across the UK during this time. Heard believed that Wales had overlooked some of its positive contributions to the world and wanted to bring attention to this story.

He reached out to Athletic Bilbao, a club known for its policy of only signing Basque players. The collaboration was met with enthusiasm. Dan Parry, Athletic Bilbao's International Communications Officer, emphasized the significance of the event. "It was one of the lowest ebbs in the country's recent history, and Wales responded when the Basque country needed help."

The kit's success was evident in the sales figures, with a video filmed in Bilbao generating more orders from Spain than the UK during the initial launch. Christopher Evans, a Newport County fan and author of the first English-language book on Athletic Bilbao's history, was not surprised by the reaction. "I think the story is amazing and resonates with what's going on in the world," he said.

One of the children who found refuge in Caerleon was Andres Benavente, who was 11 at the time. His family was affected by the bombing of Guernica, where hundreds of civilians were killed. "He did say that was one of the things that lived with him," said his son, Steven, who still lives in Caerleon. The trauma of war left lasting scars on the children, as evidenced by their art lessons, where they often painted scenes of planes and tanks.

Andres' loneliness was compounded when his sisters were sent to Scotland, and one died before he could see her again. Later, he learned that both his parents had also been killed in the conflict, with his father executed for his socialist ties. Despite the challenges, Andres eventually settled in Caerleon.

The children were cared for by Maria Fernandez, a Basque woman living in the area, and formed a dance troupe and choir to raise funds. They also played football as the Basque Boys, touring south Wales and gaining recognition as a formidable youth team. Two of the boys went on to play professionally in Spain.

Steven believes it is meaningful that the "Children of 37" are being remembered once more. "The shirt is covered in names of people I've heard from the past, names I remember my dad speaking of," he said.

Historian Hywel Davies, who has written a book on the Basque children evacuated to Wales, highlighted the support and kindness shown by locals in Caerleon. "Caerleon was probably the most successful 'colony' in Britain," he said. "People gave their last penny [to help them]."

Davies emphasized the importance of remembering this chapter in history. "Their story deserves to be remembered, but it also makes people more aware of the fact that we are interlinked," he said. "We need to replicate the generosity and kindness shown then."