A personal tribute from an old comrade and friend.
The day after the recent BM Nottinghamshire meeting, our movement lost another warrior. Our comrade Ian Asquith had been a constant in racial Nationalism in Leeds since the early 1980s. From his activism in the National Front, BNP and the British Movement, Ian was always there. Many of those in attendance wondered out loud where Ian was, as his absence was unusual.
Never one to blow his own trumpet, Ian would simply turn up, help out, and then return home to his family. He was a man of whom I can honestly say I never heard anyone speak ill. Throughout all the splits and bitterness in racial nationalist politics since the 1980s, Ian carried on, remaining loyal to his comrades in Leeds and to the Cause.
Ian was a dedicated family man. He had been with his future wife since he was 17 and she was 18. They had two children, a boy and a girl, and a granddaughter, Paige, whom he doted on. He served with the local Territorial Army before beginning his career as an electrician, a trade he continued in until he retired.
Ian was a keen supporter of his local pub in Leeds and could often be found holding court in the taproom. At his funeral, his son recalled that his political views “could divide a room.” Apart from his family, politics and his treasured motorbike were Ian’s other great passions. A keen biker, Ian could often be found at motorcycle events and at the clubhouse of a local outlaw motorcycle club.
For the past few years, Ian has laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Leeds city centre on Remembrance Day on behalf of all Leeds Nationalists, a tradition that will hopefully continue.
More than 150 family members and friends attended the crematorium to pay their final respects, including many of his comrades from BM, and a large turnout of bikers, many from the outlaw Blue Angels MC, proudly wearing their colours. After the service, we gathered at the Leeds Irish Centre to share our memories of a man who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Ian Asquith: Husband. Father. Grandfather. Comrade. Until we meet again in Valhalla.
Glenn
Ich Hatt’ Einen Kameraden
‘I Had A Comrade’ is a traditional German song played at memorials for the fallen. RIP Ian.
