Bienvenido Claramunt Izquierdo 1903 - 1943

Born 25.6.1903 in Barcelona
Died 11.11.1943 in Gusen

Biography

My grandfather was Catalan and he lived in Barcelona on Calle Parlament corner Viladomat. He was married to Maria Ruiz (my grandmother) and had a son Manel Claramunt (my father) who was barely one year old when he had to leave for the Spanish civil war. My grandfather worked at the Generalitat de Catalunya in a department where he was looking to find a home and accommodation for those people who did not have it due to the war. As a civil servant of the Generalitat he had been exempt from going to fight the war front. But his solid principles led him to the reflection that marked the end of his life: “I do not have the calm conscience knowing that a mother is suffering from a child in the war front when I should go…” And that was how he enlisted to fight against the fascist forces of the Spanish dictator Franco.

My grandfather was stopped in France by the German Nazi troops and the notification of his arrest was sent to the right hand of the dictator, Serrano Suñer. He as with many other Spanish Republicans, washed his hands and with all the moral lowness he prevented him from returning. Instead, my grandfather was deported to concentration camp Mauthausen/Gusen. On 6 January 2018, I will for the first time be on the place of of my grandfather’s death. A fate that was concealed story at home.

Xavier Claramunt, grandson

Location In room