[Daniel Mullen obituary]

Anarchist and Socialist comrades throughout Lanarkshire were shocked recently to learn of the death of our active and vigorous comrade, Daniel Mullin. The Anti-Parliamentary movement throughout Lanarkshire owes a great deal to the loyal and disinterested activity of comrade Mullin. “The Gazette,” Blantyre, recorded his death in its issue for May 9 last. Referring to our comrade as “a colourful personality,” our contemporary writes:— 

We regret to record the death, which occurred in London last week-end, of a former well-known Blantyre man, Mr. Dan Mullin who, before going South about nine years ago, resided at 80 Victoria Street. 

Mr. Mullin, who was 48 years of age, suffered from an internal complaint and died in a London hospital on Thursday last. He is survived by his wife and a family of ten children. 

“Big Dan,” who stood over six feet, was well-known and highly respected in this district. He was a colourful personality and had led a really adventurous life in many respects. He served throughout the first World War; was decorated with the Military Medal for bravery in action on the Somme and latterly sustained a serious head wound which necessitated a trepanning operation. In this connection Dan often humorously remarked that no matter how hard the times were he would never be “broke” — that he always kept a silver plate in his head! 

Dan’s politics changed with the times and he was an enthusiast for whatever cause he sponsored. Like many people with progressive ideas, he was very frequently in the minority, but no matter who it was with whom he may have differed, they all agreed that Dan was sincere, good, and whole-hearted. He was not always strictly orthodox in his methods and a rather good story is told regarding an incident which occurred during a period when he was keenly interested in mining affairs. There was an unofficial stoppage at one of the local pits and, as might be expected, Dan was on the side of the strikers. The Union officials for the area met one night to consider the matter and it was generally recognised that their decision (for or against the stoppage) would have an important bearing upon the strike. It was also known that their decision was almost a foregone conclusion — they were against the unofficial stoppage. 

Dan was strong in his support of the strikers and to prevent any Union edict which might tell against them he adopted a novel method of ensuring “delayed action.” The Union officials at that time met in a wooden hut on vacant ground between the Vics’ Park and the two-storey building adjoining. While the meeting was in progress Dan got a few other lads together and between them they turned the hut over on its side while the Union officials were still in solemn conclave! 

It would, perhaps, be discreet to pass over the scene which followed as the officials scrambled out of the overturned hut, but Dan had gained his point — there was no decision given against the strikers that night! 

Dan was a soldier of fortune (some might say misfortune) in some respects. He fought well and truly in France against the Germans; he was in Ireland during the “troubles ” over there and assisted in training some of the Sinn Fein army; later he fought with the Republicans against the new Irish Government and, in more recent times, he fought and was wounded in Spain when he supported the Republican forces against Franco. 

Dan was big — in heart as well as in physique — and his passing is a loss to all who knew him. [end of Blantyre Gazette report]

Every word of tribute paid to Dan Mullin by our orthodox contemporary is merited. Dan Mullin was an Anarchist and his struggles represented a consistent unfolding of his purpose and character. He believed in equity and liberty. He was one of the most sincere, fearless, and latterly disinterested men who ever lived. Under conditions of extreme struggle and poverty, he retained a flair for ideals and the romance of living. His death is a great loss to the workers’ struggle. To know him was to live in a world of freedom, humour, courage far removed from the sordid reality against which he battled. The workers have laid to rest a brave and loyal member of their class, a true fighter in the battle towards classless society. 

The Word, July 1942