John Edward Longstaff (1919-2000) was an English anti-fascist activist and soldier, who served with the International Brigades in Spain and later with the British Army during the Second World War.
He left school and worked in a foundry before being injured by hot metal, finding himself unemployed after recovery.
He played a part in the Battle of Cable Street where he says he first heard the words No Pasaran and learned of the war in Spain.
On 24 August, while defending Hill 666 in the Serra de Pàndols near Gandesa under artillery bombardment and an attack by two rebel battalions, Longstaff was severely wounded and temporarily blinded.
He enlisted, despite being rejected at first because of his experience in Spain, and fought in North Africa and Italy, including the Battle of El Alamein and Monte Cassino.