Background
ROSHAL’, Semyon was born on January 25, 1896 in Saint St. Petersburg.
ROSHAL’, Semyon was born on January 25, 1896 in Saint St. Petersburg.
Studied at Saint St. Petersburg Psychoneurological Institute.
From 1910 in revol movement. 1912 arrested and expelled from high-school. 1914-1915, while a student, did revol work at Putilov Plant for Saint St. Petersburg Russian Social-Democratic Workers ’Party (Bolsheviks) Committee.
1915 re-arrested but soon released, drafted into Russian Army and sent to Northern Front. Late 1915 returned to Petrograd and conducted anti-war propaganda among soldiers and sailors. December 1915 imprisoned.
Released during 1917 February Revol. By order of Party Central Committee sent to Kronstadt. March 1917 elected chairman, Kronstadt City Russian Social-Democratic Workers ’Party (Bolsheviks) Committee.
Delegation, 7th (April) All-Russian Russian Social-Democratic Workers ’Party (Bolsheviks) Conference. July 1917 arrested by Provisional Government. Released after 1917 October Revol.
October 1917 fought against Kerenskiy and Krasnov’s forces near Petrograd. Helped liquidate Supreme Headquarters in Mogilyov. November 1917 Council of People's Commissar appointed him government comissar for Rumanian Front: elected member, Rumania Front Military-Revol Committee.
December 1917 arrested by Whitists in Yassy during negotiations between Military-Revol Council and General Shchcrbachyov, deputy commander of Rumanian Front.
Communist Party member from 1914.