KOLYA DEREVENKO’S STORY

KOLYA DEREVENKO’S  STORY
Alexei Romanov and his best friend Kolya Derevenko

I was a little boy, just twelve years old. I did not know of the evil in people’s souls. We were living at the Popov house near the Ipatiev house. In the middle of the summer of 1918, I was afraid and worried for Alexei. I wanted to see him and at the same time I am sure he wanted to see me too. Until that sad day of July 17, 1918, my father, Gilliard, Gibbes, and others knew everything, but I knew nothing. Something terrible was going to happen, but I didn’t know what it was… In the last week of July 1918, myself, my father, Gilliard, Gibbes, and others entered the Ipatiev house. There was a terrible scene… The house was in complete chaos; diaries, letters, albums, and other things were strewn all around in the house.. “But where is Ieskela*?” I asked my father, but he stayed silent. Ieskela’s diary was found by a White guard, I think his name was Nemetkin, I am not sure. But Leonid Sednev… I saw him. He cried. His cries were so loud… so loud!

Read more KOLYA DEREVENKO’S STORY

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ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS: ALEXEI ROMANOV. 3 APRIL, 1918

ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS: ALEXEI ROMANOV. 3 APRIL, 1918

1918 letter from Alexei Romanov:

Read more ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS: ALEXEI ROMANOV. 3 APRIL, 1918

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ROMANOV FAMILY: ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS. DIARY OF ALEXEI ROMANOV (1-2 JANUARY, 1916).

ROMANOV FAMILY: ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Tsarevich Alexei Romanov
Tsarevich Alexei Romanov

From the 1916 diary of Alexei Romanov:

Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS. DIARY OF ALEXEI ROMANOV (1-2 JANUARY, 1916).

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ALEXEI ROMANOV: HIS FRIEND KOLYA DEREVENKO

ALEXEI ROMANOV: HIS FRIEND KOLYA DEREVENKO
Tsarevich Alexei with his friend Kolya Derevenko and his brother
Tsarevich Alexei with his friend Kolya Derevenko and Kolya’s brother

Kolya Derevenko was the son of Romanov family physician, Dr Derevenko. Because the boy was close in age to Tsarevich Alexei, the two were introduced as potential playmates and hit it off immediately.

Alexei often mentioned his friend Kolya in his diaries and letters, Kolya even accompanied the heir to Stavka to keep him company. Kolya and his family also followed Alexei and his family to Tobolsk, and after they were no longer allowed to see each other, Alexei always remembered his friend and regularly wrote letters and notes to him. Read more ALEXEI ROMANOV: HIS FRIEND KOLYA DEREVENKO

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ALEXEI ROMANOV: LAST LETTER

ALEXEI ROMANOV: LAST LETTER

Tsarevich Alexei with his friend Kolya Derevenko
Tsarevich Alexei with his friend Kolya Derevenko

 

Dear Kolya,  all the sisters send greetings to you, your Mama and
Grandma. I feel well myself. My head was aching
all day, but now the pain is gone completely. I
embrace you warmly. Greetings to the Botkins from all of
us.   Always yours,  Alexei    

Konetz [“The END” in Russian] Read more ALEXEI ROMANOV: LAST LETTER

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