When I started researching into the life and times of the Swindon-born writer, political activist and veteran of the Spanish Civil War, Ralph Bates, Ted Poole was the first person that I turned to. Ted had worked with Ralph's brother in Swindon and very generously gave me a whole load of stories. The last time that I saw Ted was at an event I had organised at Swindon's Central Library. It was an evening of songs and stories about, and by, Ralph Bates. I drove Ted home afterwards and was delighted to hear him singing the Republican song "Viva La Quince Brigada" in the car. I will certainly miss him.