Ethel (Helen) Borko: the Life and the Death of the Revolutioner

Abstract. Ethel (Helen) Borko (15.11.1897–19.08.1919) is a striking example of the image of local hero in the revolutionary movement. Since the Borko family moved to Rostov-on-Don in the end 1915 Ethel has been involved in activities of the Don Bolshevik underground, of the political party acting as carrier, agitator and participant in combat operations. In May 1919 she was arrested, imprisoned in Rostov jail, was subjected to beating and died tragically. The true role of Ethel Borko in the activities of the revolutionary underground, the exact circumstances of her death causes a canonical narrative “of a young underground fighter” and “revolutionary Martyr”, still remaining a subject of debate. In the article on the basis of published documentary materials, studies and recollections of family members a sketch of Ethel Borko biography is provided and the memory in the local revolutionary discourse is analyzed.

Keywords: Ethel (Helen) Borko, history of the Borko family, Rostov-on-Don, heroes of the revolutionary movement, the Rostov-Nakhichevan revolutionary Committee of the RCP(b).