Hugo Cederschiöld

Hugo Cederschiöld was a career officer in the Swedish army who attended the Royal Swedish Army Staff College from 1906-08. He started his career in 1898 as sub-lieutenant in the Svea Life Guards and was eventually promoted to general in the reserve with his retirement. From 1919-23 he was a teacher at the infantry combat school as an expert for shooting instructions and became the school’s commander from 1926-31. In the 1930s he was second in command of the Life Regiment’s grenadiers and subsequently of the Svea Life Guards. During World War II he was commander in Stockholm, additionally serving as the commander of the defence area and acting inspector of the infantry.

Cederschiöld also held several honorary positions, including an officer of order to the Duke of Skåne in 1904, adjutant to the crown prince in 1912, chief of the crown prince’s staff in 1930, and chief of the king’s staff from 1950-63. He was appointed as a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences in 1929. Cederschiöld was also active in social and cultural organizations, including as President of the Swedish-English Association from 1939-55, and as governor of Rotary International from 1948 to 1950. He was awarded some of the highest distinctions from various countries including Commander with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword in Sweden, Commander of the Order of Leopold II of Belgium, Grand Cross of the Danish Order of Dannebrog in Denmark, Grand Cross of the Ethiopian Star, Knight of the French Legion of Honour, and many others.

In 1908 he married Baroness Margareta Wrangel von Brehmer (1888-1967); the couple had two sons and two daughters. Hugo Cederschiöld competed in two pistol events at the 1912 Olympic Games. His sister Margareta also took part in the tennis indoor and outdoor events at the same Olympics.