Egmont Tornberg

1891-1951.

Colonel, aviation pioneer.

Egmont Tornberg was born in 1891 in Rytterne and later in life became a second lieutenant in the navy in 1914, a lieutenant in 1917 and took up flying in 1918.

He joined the Air Force when it was formed in 1926 and in the same year, as a captain, he set an altitude record for seaplanes. The altitude record was set at 5731 meters with a Heinkel with 500 kg load (equivalent to combat load). The record was duly approved by the International Federation and surpassed the previous record by 700 meters.

In 1928, Egmont was in charge of the Swedish rescue expedition of survivors from the Italian airship Italia north of Spitsbergen. He showed impressive leadership during two months of severe material and personal strain under very difficult and rapidly changing weather conditions with risky flying over the Arctic Ocean, ice drift and dense fog.

Part of the rescue team with Tornberg in the middle.
Photo: From private collection.

From the Italia action in 1928.
Photo: From private collection.

Later in life Tornberg was commander of F 1, Jämtland Air Base F 4 and Norrbotten Air Base F 21.

In 1940 Tornberg became a colonel and eleven years later he died at the age of 59, the last of the naval aviators who had begun their flying careers in 1917.

 

Burial site: 0115-0811B

Image description: Portrait photograph of Egmont Tornberg, commander of the Western Air Base Area 1943-1946. Signed, framed photo. Photo: Unknown photographer / Air Force Museum. [The image is cropped]
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Robert Fredrik von Kræmer

1791-1880.

County Governor, Member of Parliament.

Robert Fredrik von Kræmer came from Häme in Finland and took part as an officer in the campaign to Germany in 1813 and to Norway in 1814.

He was governor of Uppsala from 1830 to 1862 and, as head of the county, was an undisputed central figure and took a number of important initiatives. Communications were improved through road building, bridge building, dredging of sailing routes and the establishment of steamship companies.

Kræmer also initiated the founding of Ultuna Agricultural Institute and the establishment of Sweden's first cooperative trade in Örsundsbro in 1850.

Kræmer also played a significant role in the development of the city of Uppsala. The city park, the promenade at Flustret and Västgötaspången were created with his help and he was known for his tree plantings, which were mentioned in Gunnar Wennerberg's Gluntarne:

"My goodness, that Kræmer is good for the city. He builds bridges and plants trees."

 

Burial site: 0156-0249

Image description: Robert Fredrik von Kræmer, Stockholm, ca 1870. Photo: W.A Eurenius & P.L Quist / UUBThe image is cropped]
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Måns von Rosenstein

1755-1801.

Military, Rear Admiral.

Måns von Rosenstein, Carl's older brother, became a lieutenant in the army navy in 1774.

Between 1776-1778 he served in the British Navy, taking part in Sir Peter Parker's squadron in the West Indies and witnessing the Battle of Quessant against France. As a French naval officer, Rosenstein took part in the American War of Independence, was captured by his former commander Admiral Parker, and taken to England.

On his return to Sweden in 1783, he became a second major in the army's navy. Rosenstein particularly distinguished himself in the first battle of Svensksund on August 24, 1789. He and his ship Oden managed to hold off the Russian fleet, only to be forced to strike the flag after which he was captured.

At the end of the war in 1790, Rosenstein became a colonel in the army and seven years later a rear admiral.

 

Burial site: 0109-0462A

Image description: Måns von Rosenstein, painting by Per Krafft the Elder. Photo: Swedish Biographical Dictionary / National ArchivesThe image is cropped]
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Carl Hard

1768-1840.

Major General.

Carl Hård was born on Jällsta farm in Viksta parish and became a lieutenant in the Uppland regiment at the age of 20. He took part in the Finnish War of 1788-1790 and distinguished himself in the first battle of Svensksund in 1789. The following year Hård took part in the naval battle of Hamina, a battle commanded by Gustav III.

As a major, Hård took part in the siege of Stralsund in 1807, the siege of Liers Skans in Norway in 1808 and the defense of Sävar and Ratan in 1809. At the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, he commanded the regiment as lieutenant colonel and was later appointed colonel of the army. He then took part in the march to Brussels and the campaign to Norway.

Carl Hård became a major general in 1822 and retired in 1835. In addition to his military career, Hård was an art collector and during his last years he lived in Uppsala near Fyrisån (later Ofvandalska gården). In Uppsala he spent time in the academic circles around Geijer and Atterbom.

Hård's art collection, consisting of around one hundred oil paintings, was later donated to Uppsala University. The donation laid the foundation for the Uppsala University Art Museum.

 

Burial site: 0103-0177

Image description: Portrait of Carl Hård painted by J.G. Sandberg. Photo: National Archives / Swedish Biographical Dictionary. [The image is cropped]
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