TWO Spanish sisters who fled their home country during the Civil War 70 years ago want to thank the miners of Wales for their support during the conflict.
Pilar Murga and Mila Gilbert's journey from the town of Guernica to the Monthmouthsire village of Llandogo began in 1937 when they were evacuated from the Basque region.
Aged just 10 and eight they left all they knew behind, travelling with the largest single contigent of refugees to ever arrive in Britain; 3,840 children, 120 helpers, 80 teachers and 15 Catholic priests.
On Monday they will be paying tribute to their friends and family who were left behind in war-torn Spain at a special Welsh evacuee exhibition to mark the anniversary of the start of the war.
The conflict saw large numbers of Welshmen travel to Europe to fight Franco's regime, and Pilar, 80, and Mila, 78, have nothing but praise for them.
Pilar said: "I'm happy the miners are being recognised, they had beautiful reputations.
"I hope to meet maybe a brother or daughter of one them at the exhibition, I would thank them and tell them how grateful we are."
When they arrived in Britain the sisters lived in Rowley Lodge, a childrens home in the London borough of Barnet, staying in the capital for much of their lives.
Pilar said: "We came to Britain and were well looked after. We were educated and had jobs, families and lives.
"I didn't return to Spain until Franco died in 1976 and Guernica is hard to recognise because it was so badly destroyed.
"I raised a glass of champagne and rejoiced at his death because of what he had done to our people."
The sisters moved to Llandogo two years ago after their husbands passed away to join family that live in the area.
They now feel that Wales is their home, and say they love living in such a beautiful part of the country.
Pilar said: "I have never met such nice people, no matter where we go they are helpful.
"In London you are just a number but here you are not, I cannot praise the people of Wales enough."
The exhibiton runs until November 4 at Rhondda Heritage Park, Porth.
- The war was fought between the Republican government and Francisco Franco's Nationalist rebels
- It began on July 17, 1936 and ended April 1, 1939 with the Nationalists victorious
- The death toll is estimated at 500,000
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