George S. Davies, Lancashire

[George Davies was an  activist in the Lancashire area for the New Communist Party, which arose from a break with the CPGB in 1977.  He was interested in the Irish question and  frequently met Desmond Greaves during the late 1970s and 1980s when Greaves had his home in Birkenhead and was seeking to build up the Liverpool Branch of the Connolly Association.  Below are excerpts from a letter that he wrote in 2005 in response to a query re his memories of Desmond Greaves.]

‘ When I first met him, I was amazed at his capacity for work. Editing the “Irish Democrat”, organising  conferences, writing books, speaking at meetings and generally flitting about all over the place!  I think, to be honest, that he “tolerated” my youthful exuberance. He never tried to slap me down when he thought I was wrong about something. He merely suggested that I look at it another way – a lesson, hopefully, that I have learned and passed on.

I remember being invited to his house in Birkenhead for a discussion on work with “The Campaign to End Interference in Irish Affairs”, an organisation that had come into being as a result of a trade union delegation to Ireland. The purpose of this visit was discuss how, in a non-sectarian way, we could advance solidarity activity within the British Trade Union Movement, assisting the TUIUI (Trade Unionists for Irish Unity and  Independence), the organisation which had emerged in the Republic, whilst at the same time being aware of the work that was already being done by the Connolly Association and groups such as the Labour Committee on Ireland.

When I got to his house, he showed me into a room where we sat down next to an old wooden kitchen table with an ancient looking stand-up typewriter placed in the middle of it. Not everybody had computers in those days, but an electric typewriter would not have been amiss. Of course anyone who had ever received a letter off this typewriter will know what I was talking about when I said that it was ancient!  He then offered me – at 10 in the morning –  a glass of cider in a glass that didn’t look as though it had been washed since the last time he had used it!

During the course of the conversation issues emerged about differences that existed within the Labour Movement, with specific references to communist involvement. Now anyone who knew Desmond also knew that he did not participate within the communist movement, nor indeed did he take sides with this or that particular grouping. But equally, he was never less than frank when a direct question was asked of him.  The “Morning Star” and its ability to survive came up. His reply was that no matter what anyone thought about the paper, or their various criticisms, the demise of any working class newspaper or publication represented a defeat. And of course he was right. Thankfully, the “Morning Star” survives today.

One other anecdote that is classically Desmond:  He was due to speak at the North-West History Conference on the Dublin Lockout at Manchester Town Hall. I arrived early to get a seat, and as the time arrived for his lecture, there was no Desmond. Just when we thought it would have to be cancelled, in he walked, complaining about motorcars, traffic and all things modern. Recognisable?  He then proceeded to tell the meeting that he had left his notes at home and was therefore going to have to speak from memory. He addressed the audience for something like an hour and a half, if my memory serves me correctly, and I have to say that I rarely heard anything so brilliantly put together. It was almost as though he had himself lived through it. In his mind and his study he probably had.

On a personal note, he always responded to my requests for information, analysis and help,  happily provided in the bar at Lime Street Station, or  via one of his typewritten letters, which were an event in themselves.

He is sorely missed.

George S. Davies

103 Redearth Road, Darwen, Lancashire.  ’