Our Grandfather

Isaak Berdichevsky

יצחק ברדיצ'בסקי ז״ל

1926 – 2007

Born in Mozyr in 1926. He went to war at seventeen, came home with the Order of the Red Star, and spent his life as a woodworker who kept the family together.

His Story

From Mozyr to Berlin & Prague

Isaak Isaakovich Berdichevsky was born in 1926 in Mozyr, Belarus. He was fifteen when the war reached his home in 1941.

In November 1943, aged seventeen, he joined the Red Army. He served as a Guards private in the 11th Guards Mechanized Brigade of the 5th Guards Mechanized Corps, and fought all the way to Berlin and Prague.

In June 1945 he was awarded the Order of the Red Star. After the war he came home to Mozyr. There he met Bronia, who had come back from evacuation in Kazakhstan, and together they built our family.

He worked as a woodworker from the end of the war until he retired. Through all those years he was the one who kept the family together.

Isaak Berdichevsky in later life, wearing his Order of the Red Star and war medals
He was seventeen when he went to war, and he came home.

Awards

Decorations

Order of the Red Star

Order of the Red Star

Awarded 27 June 1945 by the 11th Guards Mechanized Brigade (order no. 36/n).

For the Capture of Berlin

For the Capture of Berlin

Medal for taking part in the battle for Berlin.

For the Liberation of Prague

For the Liberation of Prague

Medal for taking part in the liberation of Prague.

For the Victory over Germany

For the Victory over Germany

Medal for the victory in the Great Patriotic War, 1941–1945.

His Path

Timeline

1926
Mozyr, Belarus

Born

Born in Mozyr and grew up on Slutskaya Street.

1941
The war begins

Torn apart

The war reaches Mozyr when he is fifteen, and his family is scattered.

Nov 1943
Red Army

Goes to the front

Called up at seventeen. Serves as a Guards private in the 11th Guards Mechanized Brigade.

1945
Berlin & Prague

To the end of the war

Takes part in the capture of Berlin and the liberation of Prague. Awarded the Order of the Red Star on 27 June 1945.

After 1945
Mozyr

Home, and Bronia

Comes home to Mozyr and meets Bronia. Together they start our family.

Until retirement
Mozyr

Woodworker

Works with wood for the rest of his working life, and keeps the family together.

2007
In memory

Passes away

Isaak passes away in 2007. His memory is a blessing.

Records

Service record

These details come from the archives of the Russian Ministry of Defence, published on Pamyat Naroda ("Memory of the People"). The records spell his name two ways: Бердичевский and Бердычевский.

View his records (opens in a new tab)
Name
Бердичевский Исаак Исаакович
Born
1926, Mozyr, Gomel region
Died
2007
Called up
November 1943
Rank
Guards private
Unit
11th Guards Mechanized Brigade, 5th Guards Mechanized Corps
Awards
Order of the Red Star · Capture of Berlin · Liberation of Prague · Victory over Germany

The family

Our story continues

Back to the family The family story