Agustin Huart was born to a humble family in 1893. Intelligent and inquisitive, he dedicated his life to the working class. Shunning totalitarianism, he was fascinated by the role of trade unionism in modern secular society.
Agustin Huart
The conditions of his time and its flagrant injustices drew him not just in socio-political issues as an elected City Councillor but also to humanitarian work during and after the Spanish Civil War - as well as the Evacuation of the local population in the Second World War. (See LINK)
Gibraltarian refugees in Northern Ireland - They were stuck there for quite a few years after WWII had ended
The young Agustin Huart came into contact with workplace inequalities as a shipwright’s apprentice in the newly built dockyard. In the early 1900’s the Governor was omnipotent in Gibraltar which despite its vibrant local society was seen principally as a garrison. This period was marked by labour unrest whilst the growing tensions in Spain between left and right wing ideologies permeated Gibraltar.
This was aggravated by appalling working conditions. As an example, Gibraltarian and Spanish workers were not allowed to use toilet and other facilities reserved for English expatriate workers . . . .
This was aggravated by appalling working conditions. As an example, Gibraltarian and Spanish workers were not allowed to use toilet and other facilities reserved for English expatriate workers . . . .
. . . . and the coal heavers that were so crucial to the Gibraltarian economy earned less than half of their counter-parts’ wages in the United Kingdom.
Coalheavers at work (see LINK) - and two Garrison men strolling nonchalantly by
Unemployment, poverty and overcrowding were rife in the broader community. In stark contrast there was a small but very influential - and wealthy - group of Gibraltarians who had made their money from trade and victualling of ships (see LINK). This business class tended to be educated at public schools in England and shared the same social circles and interests - such as hunting - (see LINK) with the Colonial authorities.
The Calpe Hunt . . . “Off they go!”
These individuals were able to lobby the Governor directly, and tended to be the main employers. They formed part of the only influential bodies in Gibraltar such as the Grand Jury, the Sanitary Commission (see LINK) and the Chamber of Commerce. In contrast, there was no formal body to represent the working population. Immersed in the plight of workers in Gibraltar, Agustin was instrumental in consolidating the first British Workers Union in 1919 of which he became the District Officer.
This changed the face of how business was conducted in Gibraltar. The Union became directly involved in all matters concerning the advancement of civil rights under the tutelage of Agustin Huart - who incidentally led the Workers Union for an unprecedented 43 years. One cannot therefore begin to summarise the struggles and accomplishments during such a pivotal epoch.
Nevertheless, as a result of lobbying and negotiations the Colonial office acceded to the demands and a City Council was established in 1921 when the people of Gibraltar went to the polls for the first time to elect their representatives.
The first lot of Gibraltar’s City Councillors - Agustin Huart sporting a moustache fourth from left (20th November 1923)
From the start, Agustin Huart lobbied for reform of the Council - as the majority of Councillors were non-elected, nominated members. This included campaigns demanding a fairer balance between elected and non-elected members.
Public meeting in John Mackintosh Square organised by Agustin Huart demanding a higher proportion of elective representation for the City Council Elections (9th August 1934)
Huart would go on to serve as a City Councillor - and as Chairman - for many years from inception in 1921 and remained an elected member on its cessation in 1939 on the declaration of war.
The local TGWU hosting a UK delegation - Photo taken in their headquarters in Main Street opposite Barclays Bank (DCO) - It was nicknamed the “Coffee Bar”- Huart sits in the middle of the bottom row with his close friend Francisco Mesillo to his right - Antonio Baldorino stands top left (1930s)
He played a vital humanitarian role in the care and protection of Spanish refugees in Gibraltar during the Civil War. More than 5,000 Spaniards had sought refuge in Gibraltar at the start of the rebellion. (See LINK)
Top - The frontier - Refugees trying to enter Gibraltar at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War - Some of these people were Gibraltarians who resided in La Línea - not that this would have made much difference to Huart
Bottom - "Soup kitchens" (1936)
The Colonial Government was concerned about this mass influx and tried to disband the temporary camp set up at North Front, where the airport is now built. Huart rallied his colleagues at the Workers Union who organised soup kitchens and took many families into their own homes. He spearheaded the repatriation of many refugees and their families and organised the safe migration to South America of those individuals whose lives were at risk during the dictatorship.
A Union meeting of some sort presumably taken in the Alameda Gardens - Agustin is fourth from left, second row (1930s)
The above was written by Damian Conroy - a Crown Counsel and a descendant of Agustin Huart. He is the author of ‘Agustin E. Huart and the Spanish Civil War’.
Thank you Damian for allowing me to post it on my Gibraltar Blog
