Libcommers will be sad to learn that Dave Graham ( real name Graeme Imray) has died at the age of 58. He contributed to this site and to the threads here as well as other sites like urban and was well known in Liverpool especially over support for the dockers there
Dec 11 2008 12:07
Dec 11 2008 15:04
That is a shock - I was only debating with him on libcom (Jan Appel thread) a few weeks ago.I have good memories of the original discussions with Workers Voice even though they bore less fruit than they might have.
In solidarity and sympathy
Alf
Dec 11 2008 16:41
This is very sad.
I was just talking about him a few weeks ago, and going to e-mail him because he was digitising stuff by Red Notes and I was gonna ask him about posting it here...
His section in our library is here:
http://libcom.org/tags/dave-graham
Dec 17 2008 18:52
A very sad loss of a comrade with much insight into the relationship of class struggle and the potential for radical and revolutionary change and not hindered by any sectarian spirit (though he was indeed critical of some of the groups he had been previously involved with).
We worked together a lot during the Liverpool Dockers Strike some years back and he contributed much to the work of the old 'Subversion' group back then.
In my experience a genuinely good bloke all round - I regret not making more effort to keep in touch with him recently.
Dec 23 2008 10:38
Dear comrades
I would like to also express my sadness at the loss of a comrade to the workers movement. A comrade that I worked with in Workers Voice. Graeme was extremely important for the development of WV in particular, the comrade made the majority of the translations (mainly from French) which allowed the group to understand the discussions that was developing at that time internationally. I remember him particularly for his grasp and reading of the German revolution which he passed to us all. On the union question Graeme along with WV as a whole developed an understanding of the role of the unions and also of the shop stewards movement which was vitally important in its thoretical and practical sense and which had echoes internationally in the small developing communist movement.
Above all I remember, his commitment as a militant of the working class, a committment he never lost.
Laurie
Dec 23 2008 14:00
I met Graham in the 70s when he was in WV and I along with Mike was in Social Revolution. Although he didn't realise it, his group had a huge impact on us. Like Mike I met him again during the dockers dispute. He was a good comrade and a decent person. He was one of those who helped define in the 70s what a modern communist politics mean. I feel enormously sad.
A comrade in Liverpool sent me a link to his school's website. They've done an obituary and the students have a book of remembrance for him. It's worth a read http://www.stmargaretshigh.com/condolence2.html
Bob
Dec 23 2008 14:13
Just looked at the link very moving to hear what a good teacher he was and what an impact he had on those whom he taught.
Jan 2 2009 17:09
I didn't ask this before, because I assumed that one would be written, but I haven't seen anything anywhere. Does anyone know if anyone is, or would anyone like to write an obituary/biography for him for us?
We could talk to other places about having it published in print (Freedom, the Guardian possibly, etc).
Yes that link to comment by his pupils is very moving. Is it okay to keep this information on here, which links his political pseudonym to his real identity?
Jan 2 2009 17:35
I think butchersapron off MATB has written one and submitted it to Freedom.
Jan 2 2009 17:51
Yup it was in the final issue of last year, if you have an ask he'd probly be okay with republishing it
Jan 2 2009 17:53
Cool. If someone has his e-mail address or something could they p.m. them to me? Thanks
Jan 2 2009 18:44
I doubt it matters that his pseudonym and real name are linked now.
I'm planning on an obit for the next Organise.
I'd welcome any comments or observations from comrades for it.
Feb 9 2009 09:31
The new World Revolution has an obituary for Graeme:
Can comment on articles and discussions
Yes, I read about this on MATB. He was a member of Workers Voice in Liverpool and one of those important militants (along with World Revolution and Revolutionary Perspectives) that helped rediscover (and reprint) texts from the communist left (Pankhurst & KAPD) in Britain in the early 1970s.
I didn't know him but heard him speak at an AF event in the 1990s and although I didn't agree with him he seemed like an alright kinda of bloke.
Condolences to his friends & family.
FC! Morven