Today, on January 3rd, we honor the memory of those who fought for Estonia in the War of Independence.

The Estonian War of Independence began on November 28, 1918, when Soviet Russia launched military action against the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian army successfully halted the enemy’s advance and pushed them back. On December 31, 1919, Estonia and Soviet Russia signed an armistice, which came into effect on January 3, 1920.

The official end of the war was marked by the signing of the Treaty of Tartu on February 2, 1920. This treaty established Estonia’s eastern border and recognized the independence of the Estonian Republic by Soviet Russia.

Among the collections of the Narva Museum is a commemorative medal for the Estonian War of Independence (1918–1920), designed by August Timus. It was awarded to war veteran Martin Telska on August 28, 1922.

During the interwar period, Martin Telska worked as a painter and was a member of the volunteer fire brigade and the Estonian Defence League (Kaitseliit). During World War II, he was mobilized into the German army. Because of this, he later became a victim of Soviet repressions during the occupation. In 1945, he was arrested and sent to a Siberian labor camp, from which he returned only after Stalin’s death.

Vabadussõja ratsaväelaste grupifoto, Martin Telska (NLM F 874:1); Narva Muuseum SA;

Tunnistus medalile Eesti Wabadussõja mälestuseks, Martin Telska (NLM _ 2176:2 D 408:1); Narva Muuseum SA;

Medal Eesti Wabadussõja mälestuseks (1918-1920) (NLM _ 2176:1 H 258:1); Narva Muuseum SA;