Canada’s 'Premature Anti-Fascists' Receive Belated Recognition
Volunteers who fought fascism in Spain are finally being honored by dedicated historians.
1Forgotten Spanish Civil War Veterans
Approximately 1,500 Canadians traveled to Spain in 1937 to defend the democratically elected Republican government against Generalissimo Franco’s fascist forces. Known as the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion, or Mac-Paps, these volunteers fought in brutal conflicts like the Battle of Teruel. Many died abroad, while survivors returned home to face significant social and political ostracization.
2The 'Premature Anti-Fascist' Label
Canadian authorities treated these returning soldiers with hostility, confiscating passports and blacklisting them as communists for defying laws against foreign enlistment. Ironically, these men were labeled premature anti-fascists because they confronted the same fascist regimes that Canada would officially declare war against just one year later during the Second World War.
3Jacob Okonski’s Troubled Post-War Life
Jacob Okonski, a Polish-Ukrainian miner from Alberta, survived the Spanish Civil War but returned home deeply traumatized. He struggled with alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder, eventually drifting into poverty in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. He passed away in 1976, dying alone in a single room, and was buried in an unmarked grave.
4Rediscovering a Lost Family History
For decades, Okonski’s family believed he had been buried in a mass grave, unaware of his final resting place in Mountain View Cemetery. His granddaughter, Bethany Whelan Jones, only recently discovered his history through the efforts of volunteers who research and document the lives of the forgotten Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion combatants.
5Grassroots Memorialization Efforts
Raymond Hoff, a retired academic, leads a group dedicated to locating the graves of Mac-Pap veterans to pay tribute on Remembrance Day. By compiling biographies and visiting burial sites, these volunteers ensure that the service of these men is acknowledged, providing closure to families who once felt their relatives were forgotten.
6Emotional Impact on Descendants
Seeing a photograph of roses placed on her grandfather’s grave profoundly affected Bethany Whelan Jones. She expressed deep gratitude for the tribute, noting that her mother carried lifelong sadness believing her father’s life held no value to others. This simple act of remembrance validated his service and restored his dignity to his family.
7Official Status and Public Memory
Despite monuments unveiled in cities like Ottawa in 2001, Mac-Paps are still not recognized as official veterans by the Canadian government or the Canadian Legion. Supporters continue to advocate for their legacy, arguing that these soldiers recognized the threat of fascism early and took courageous action to defend democratic values abroad.
8Future Plans for Recognition
Inspired by the recent discovery of her grandfather’s grave, Bethany Whelan Jones and her siblings now intend to install a proper headstone. This new marker will explicitly identify Jacob Okonski as a Mac-Pap veteran, ensuring that his contribution to the fight against fascism is permanently recorded for future generations to witness.