A committed anti-fascist and socialist, the starry-eyed Eric Blair - otherwise known as George Orwell - went off to fight against Franco in the Spanish Civil War.Having nearly been executed by his own side, having witnessed countless atrocities and having finally recognised the hypocrisy of the hard left and stalinists - he headed for home.
Some years later, he rewarded us with his magnificent expose of political extremes in 'Animal Farm.'
