British Military Mission in Omsk, 1919

[The Geneal Geologist]

A cousin, Wilfred Stone, has some connection with the British Military Mission in Omsk, Siberia during the Bolshevic Revolution in 1919. I'm looking for any info beyond online resources (general descriptions of events only) that may explain his role (no specific military knowledge known). Photo shows him on roof of BMM, and reverse is shown stating who took it (although I can't read the name beyond a Sgt in the RFA).

Thanks,
Mark

[kyt]

Hi Mark

Omsk was one of the key bases for the anti-communists during the Russian Civil War. Both Britain and the US had military missions there to train the anti-communist forces and he was probably involved in that. I don't think the British forces were directly involved in the fighting in Siberia, unlike on the western front of Russia.

For some basic details try searching for Russian Civil War and British Involvement.

A friend has a copy of Churchill's Crusade: The British Invasion of Russia, 1918-1920, and I will have a look through it when I see him in a couple of days.

K

[The Geneal Geologist]

I'd appreciate anything you can find.
Based on the recent 1911 census I have just been able to confirm his full name as Wilfred J STONE and was born in West Ham, Essex (E. London) in 1894, making him abt 25 years in the photo. I haven't found him referred to in any Military resources, and I suspect from family rumour he re-enlisted in WW2 and was part of the campaign in Burma (survived). He never married so no idea where his mementos went when he died in the 1980's.

Mark

[Ruskie]

Hi Mark, The name looks like Sgt Wheatley. Perhaps you may be able to trace him? 

[kyt]

Mark

I've had a look at Churchill's Crusade and though there are plenty of mentions to the Mission at Omsk, they tend to be about the polotical activities, and general military activities rather than information on specific units. There is no comprehensive list of units in the book, and aspart from generic mentions to the artillary I haven't found anything of direct use. But it seems that the Mission's main duties at the time of the photo was providing protection to the large supply dumps for the anti-communist forces, to train the anti-communist Russian forces, and as protection for the Political elements of the British Mission. There was a bit of direct military involvement in the fighting but not that I can find for any artillery units.

Having said that the book is excellent as a history of that campaign.

K

[The Geneal Geologist]

Many thanks for your review, anyway.
Happy New Year!

Regards,
Mark