Josep Almudéver Mateu, last surviving member of the International Brigades, dies at 101

Paris, May 26 (RHC)-- Josep Almudéver Mateu has died at the age of 101 in France.   

Born in Marseille, Almudéver grew up in Casablanca and Alcàsser.  At the time of the July 1936 fascist military coup, he was in Valencia.   That same year, he volunteered to join the International Brigades to fight in the Spanish Civil War against General Franco and fascism.   

He joined the Pablo Iglesias Column, which was deployed to the Teruel.  Wounded at the Teruel Front, Almudéver was sent to the rear; he re-joined the army as a part of the CXXIX International Brigade. 
Between early 1939 and late 1942, he was a prisoner of the Francoist regime.  Forced into exile, he returned to Spain in 1965.

He was believed to be the last surviving member of the International Brigades.