The Activities of Mehmet Şükrü (Gülez) Bey, the Deputy of Bolu, During the Period of the National Struggle

Mehmet Şükrü (Gülez) Bey belongs to a well-established family called İlyaszadeler in Bolu. He published a newspaper in Bolu under the name of “Dertli” to support the National Struggle and inform the people about the invasions through the press, and to spread the resistance. He also played an important role in the foundation of Bolu Müdafaa-i Hukuk Cemiyeti. Upon the occupation of Istanbul, he ensured the safety of Ismet Pasha, on their way to Ankara, by welcoming them in Bolu. Mehmet Şükrü Bey became a pioneer attracting attention of the locals in Bolu to support for the National Struggle and he was elected as the deputy of Bolu in the first Turkish Grand National Assembly. However, he was not present at the opening of the parliament since he was appointed by Mustafa Kemal Pasha as a member of Heyet-i Nâsıha, which was organized to prevent the rebellion that broke out in the Düzce-Bolu region against the assembly. He was taken prisoner by the rebels in Gerede and imprisoned in Düzce. When the Kuvâ-yı Milliye troops entered Düzce, he was freed from captivity and travelled to Ankara. Mehmet Şükrü Bey, had served in the justice, land registry-cadaster and economics commissions in the Parliament. He was recognized as one of the names close to Mustafa Kemal Pasha. He adopted the republican ideology and became a defender of the Turkish Revolution. For his support to the National Struggle, he was granted the Independence Medal with a red-green ribbon.

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