Birger Personne

Birger Personne graduated from school in 1907, before he attended the school for reserve officers and passed his exam as a military instructor in 1910. Two years later, he completed his studies as a gymnastics director. For the next two years, he worked as a gymnastics teacher in various towns, including for Stockholm’s Students Union. At the 1912 Olympics, he competed in foil and sabre events. His best result came in the individual sabre, where he advanced to the semi-finals.

Personne then worked as a gymnastics teacher in Hudiksvall and Västerås for about 12 years until 1926. As a skilled fencer, he included fencing in his lessons. He was the co-founder of the Västerås Fäktklubb and coached the local school team to winning the 1922 school youth championship. Subsequently, he moved to Stockholm, where he took another teaching position at a Latin school in the Norrmalm neighbourhood. Personne was also a captain in the reserve of the Royal First Life Grenadier Regiment.

In 1915, Personne married Ruth Vega Lovisa Eriksson, with whom he had two daughters and one son. Later, he was appointed Knight of the Order of Vasa.