Konstantin Vikent'evich Hrutskij.

[CtahhR]

Here is Konstantin Vikent'evich Hrutskij who was the very last veteran of the 1877-8 Russo-Ottoman War.

Born on 6th January 1855, He served with the Preobrazhenskij Lifeguard Regiment during the 1877-8 war which subsequently liberated Bulgaria. For his supposed actions at the Battle of Shipka Pass he was awarded the George Cross 4th Class as well as the Imperial Russian medal for participation in the 87-8 war (both of which have been remounted on Soviet suspensions).
In 1955 the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship association invited him to Bulgaria where he was awarded the Order "Dimitrov" for his efforts during the liberation of Bulgaria (although it does not seem that the principality of Bulgaria ever awarded him anything). The Bulgarians also gifted him a uniform of a Bulgarian volunteer in the war which he wore with pride and was frequently photographed in.

After the revolution and formation of the Soviet Union Hrutskij worked as an electrian in a Novorossijsk factory, where he was awarded the Order "Badge Of Honour", until retirement

Hrutskij's health held out until a very considerable age and he was alive until 1967 (almost 50 years after the Socialist Revolution) when he died aged 112! Two World Wars and 20 years added just couldn't stop him!

The three photographs of Hrutskij presented here are all from the 1960's with the final one being taken in August 1966 when the Bulgarian Museum ship Perelik came to Novorossijsk.