Researcher: Mary Christine Kamela, Stuyvesant '27

The Spanish Civil War attracted thousands of volunteers from around the world who believed they were fighting not only for Spain, but for the future of democracy and freedom in Europe. Among these volunteers was Robert “Bob” Ford, an American from Brooklyn, New York, whose life reflected the political tensions and ideological struggles of the twentieth century. From his early years in film and military service to his involvement in communist activism and eventual immigration to New Zealand, Ford’s experiences reveal how deeply the Spanish Civil War shaped the people who fought in it.

Robert Ford was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 12, 1910. He was the son of Francis Ford, a film actor and director involved in the early American movie industry. By 1920, at the age of ten, Ford had moved with his family to Los Angeles, California, where he was closer to the center of the growing film industry. This relocation suggests that he most likely attended middle school and high school in California, rather than in New York City, shaping his formative years on the West Coast. In 1927, Ford enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles, and was a part of Delta Tau Delta.

Before volunteering for Spain, Ford worked as an actor in some of his father’s films and later described his occupation on enlistment papers as a “cinema worker.” Despite his connection to the entertainment industry, Ford also had military experience. From 1932 to 1937, he served in the California National Guard, which likely gave him useful training before entering combat in Spain. In 1936, as political tensions increased across Europe, Ford joined the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). Like many left-wing Americans of the time, he viewed fascism as a growing global threat and believed action was necessary.

On April 15, 1937, Ford sailed to Spain aboard the SS Berengaria to join the Republican cause against General Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces. He enlisted in the Mooney Battalion of the Lincoln Battalion, one of the American volunteer groups that formed part of the International Brigades. Ford identified himself as both a Communist Party member and an “antifasciste Americaine,” showing his strong ideological commitment to fighting fascism. During his deployment, he fought in major battles including the Battle of Brunete in mid-1937 and the Battle of the Ebro in late 1938. These battles were among the bloodiest and most important conflicts of the war, with heavy casualties on both sides.

Ford’s time in Spain was marked by hardship and injury. In September 1937, he spent a week in a hospital, possibly recovering from wounds suffered during the Battle of Brunete. He later spent five months in another hospital at Valdeganga de Cuenca, demonstrating the severe physical toll that the war took on volunteers. Even while recovering, Ford remained aware of the strict political atmosphere within the Republican forces. He spoke about the heavy censorship applied to his personal mail, reflecting the paranoia and control that existed during the conflict. At the same time, Ford appeared to struggle with personal issues, especially a desire for his father’s approval. This emotional factor may have contributed to his decision to volunteer, as the war offered an opportunity to prove himself through courage and sacrifice.

After more than a year in Spain, Ford returned to New York City on December 20, 1938 aboard the SS Ausonia after traveling through France. Although the Republican cause ultimately failed, Ford’s commitment to anti-fascism continued. On October 16, 1940, after the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted again for military service as part of the Branch Immaterial Warrant Officers. His willingness to fight in another major conflict suggests that his beliefs about opposing fascism remained strong. He served in this capacity until March 31, 1947, marking a long period of continued military involvement that extended well beyond the end of World War II.

During World War II, Ford married Augusta Bebel Ain on March 3, 1942. The couple lived in California while Augusta studied at UCLA Berkeley. During the late 1940s, after Ford’s return, they helped form a student cell of the United States Communist Party. However, this period coincided with the rise of anti-communist fear in the United States during the early Cold War. Many communist organizations were monitored by the FBI, and in Ford’s case, several members of their group turned out to be FBI informants. The constant surveillance and political pressure eventually forced the couple to leave the United States.

In 1950, Robert and Augusta emigrated to New Zealand, traveling third class and arriving on June 31, 1950. Their decision may have been influenced by New Zealand’s progressive Labour government, which likely seemed more welcoming to left-wing political beliefs than the increasingly anti-communist climate in America. In New Zealand, Ford built a new life and eventually became naturalized as a citizen in 1970. He remained there until his death in 1990.
 

Sources

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