Pin back lapel badge and diploma awarded by the Ministerio de Sanidad y Asistencia Social – Comite Nacional Anti-gas (Ministry of Health and Social Assistance – National Anti-gas Committee) to Jose Gonzalez Gonzalez.

The badge is in very good condition with pin back fixing. It has a diameter of 30mm.

The Diploma measures 465mm x 340mm. Dated 30th April 1937, numbered 388. It is in fair condition, writing remains perfect but the edges have some tears and wear. It reads:

Por cuanto jose gonzales natural de madrid provincia de id de 20 anos de edad, de profesion farmacia ha seguido con aprovechamiento el curso teorico-practico de defensa nacional anti-gas, se le concede el presente diploma de aptitud con la clasificacion de auxiliar.

(Roughly translated is: Since Jose Gonzalez, a native of Madrid, province of Id, 20 years of age, a pharmacist by profession, has successfully completed the theoretical-practical course on national anti-gas defense, he is hereby granted the present diploma of aptitude with the classification of assistant.)

From 1936 to 1939, Spain was embroiled in a civil war between the Republican government and the Nationalist forces.  The Republicans, supporting the left-leaning Popular Front government of the Second Spanish Republic, faced a Nationalist alliance of Falangists, monarchists, conservatives, and traditionalists under the leadership of General Francisco Franco. Ultimately, the Nationalists prevailed, establishing Franco’s dictatorship which lasted until his death in November 1975.