It was a bitterly-fought war, envenomed by brutality and extremes of political belief.

Almost to a man and woman, the people of the Gwent mining valleys stood on the side of the left-wing dominated Spanish Republic against the insurgent forces of General Franco.

It is difficult to say precisely how many Gwent men went to fight in Spain between 1936 and 1939 but it was probably in high double figures. Some died in Spain and others in the war against Nazi Germany that was to come only a few months after the Republic's defeat.

Only a handful now remain.

Later this month people from all parts of the county and beyond will make their way to a spot near the Nye Bevan stones near Ebbw Vale where a memorial to those from Gwent who fought in the Spanish Civil war is to be unveiled.

There might never have been a Blaenau Gwent memorial had it not been for the persistence of Andrew Rogers of Beaufort, associate head of care sciences school at the University of Glamorgan, a man of left-wing convictions who felt that a county that contributed so handsomely to the Republic's International Brigade should have a tangible reminder of their sacrifice.

"After reading about the unveiling of a memorial in Neath I decided that we should have something similar," said Ebbw Vale-born Mr Rogers, 46.

He has never met anyone who fought in the Spanish conflict nor has he been a miner as were all the Blaenau Gwent volunteers. Neither is he a communist as most, although not all of them, were. He is, though, a socialist and as such is determined that a short but bloody and dramatic chapter in the history of the working class in Gwent should be remembered.

"My grandmother was a socially conscious woman and when I went to Ebbw Vale Grammar School I was taught by Dewi Beynon who was an inspirational history teacher.

"I was mainly interested in industrial history including how the miners' institutes had contributed to the spread of knowledge.

"The men who went to Spain came from a world in which there was a feeling of working class solidarity and a belief that the life of the ordinary person could be improved by socialism."

It was during a visit to the Somme battlefield of the First World War that Mr Rogers began to identify with the plight of ordinary soldiers caught up in the 20th century's conflicts.

"I know that there have been attempts to resurrect the reputations of the First World War generals but all I could think of as I saw the rows and rows of graves was what a waste of life it all was.

"I have never been terribly interested in weaponry and strategies. My interest is in the social history and the stories of the individuals who fought whether in the trenches of the First World War or in Spain."

In 1936 a significant part of the Spanish armed forces under General Francisco Franco allied to right-wing militia groups rose against the elected Republican government. An international force was formed to fight with the Spanish Army, a part of which was the XV Brigade with volunteers coming from cities, coalfields and industrial areas throughout Britain including the Gwent Valleys.

The International Brigade was disbanded before the end of the war in 1939, which ended in victory for the Francoists backed by German and Italian forces. General Franco went on to rule Spain as a dictator until his death in 1975.

"I started planning the memorial 21 months ago. The Miners' Welfare Fund has been generous and I have had a lot of support from Blaenau Gwent councillor Graham Hughes and former councillor Rex Herbert," said Mr Rogers.

"Llew Smith, our local MP, made a generous personal contribution and I have been able to buy a three-and-a-half ton piece of rough-hewn sandstone into which a memorial plaque will be set.

"Sources vary about how many men went from Blaenau Gwent but I have been able to establish about a dozen including brothers Harold and Clarence Lloyd of Cwmtillery, Les Brickell of Tredegar, Jim Brewer of Rhymney and Phil Abrahams of Nantyglo who was a propagandist for their cause.

"The unveiling will be on Sunday, April 24. at 2pm but to be honest I don't have any idea how many people will turn up.

"I'm hoping that Alun Menai Williams, one of the last surviving members of the International Brigade and who lives in Barry, will be able to come and Llew Smith has promised to say a few words.

"Anyone who wants to speak, or perhaps read a poem, will be free to do so. These men left their families and homes to go and fight for their principles." * If you are a relative or have a connection with anyone who fought in Spain

Mr Rogers' telephone number is 01495 307301. All are welcome at the unveiling on Sunday, April 24 near the Nye Bevan stones at Waun-y-Pound at 2 pm.