Georg de Laval

Georg de Laval was a military officer who had graduated from the Karlberg Military Academy in 1903. He was appointed to the Svea Artillery Regiment as a lieutenant in 1907. In the same year, he was promoted to captain, in 1928 to major, and in 1937 to lieutenant. During World War II he returned to the service from retirement as a camouflage expert. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Sword in 1924 and of the Order of Vasa in the following year.

In 1911 de Laval was the winner of the world’s first ever modern pentathlon competition and became one of the favourites of this event at the Olympic Games. There, he was in gold position after four events, but a twelfth place in the final event (running) let him eventually fall back to third place, winning bronze. Two of his brothers also competed in the 1912 modern pentathlon. In shooting, Georg de Laval competed in three pistol events. While narrowly missing a medal placing fourth in the free pistol individual event, he was consoled with a silver medal in the team event.

In his spare time de Laval was interested in military history. Most of all, however, he was an avid numismatist, collecting ancient Greek and Roman and medieval Swedish coins, amongst others. He was a leading member of the Swedish Numismatic Association and made lengthy trips to Greece and Italy. In 1913 he married baroness Ebba Fleetwood, who gave birth to three daughters and one son. His father was a Doctor of Philosophy and teacher.