Börje Wallberg

Senior Colonel Karl Gustaf Börje Wallberg (28 February 1923 – 19 December 2014) was a Swedish military officer and philatelist. Wallberg graduated from the Military Academy Karlberg in 1946 and pursued a long career in the Swedish Army, serving in a range of command, staff, and instructional roles until his retirement in 1983. His career included service in the Life Regiment Hussars, the General Staff Corps, and the Göta and Norrland Logistic Regiments. He held senior positions at the Swedish Armed Forces Staff College, where he worked with strategy and army planning, and later served as Inspector of the Swedish Army Service Troops from 1974 to 1983, after being promoted to senior colonel.

Alongside his military duties, Wallberg was deeply engaged in international law, human rights, and the laws of war. He taught these subjects both within Sweden and internationally, served as an expert and delegate in several national bodies on international law, and was chairman of the Swedish Red Cross from 1981 to 1987. He also held leadership roles within the National Association of Volunteer Motor Transport Corps.

Outside the military, Wallberg was one of Sweden's most distinguished philatelists. He held leading positions in the Philatelic Society of Sweden, acted as an international exhibition juror, and served as Secretary General of the international exhibition Stockholmia 86. He received the Strandell Medal in 1987 and was added to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1994.

Early life Wallberg was born on 28 February 1923 in in Södertälje, Stockholm County, Sweden, the son of John Wallberg, an office manager, and his wife Eugenia Palm. Wallberg passed studentexamen in Stockholm in 1943. He served with the regiment until 1957, and in that year was also promoted to ryttmästare (cavalry captain). From 1954 to 1956, he studied at the Royal Swedish Army Staff College. He served as Secretary General of the Philatelic Society of Sweden (Sveriges Filatelistförbund) from 1967 to 1976 and as Vice Chairman from 1983 to 1984, and was an honorary member of the society. From 1976 onward, he worked as a juror at international stamp exhibitions and served as Secretary General of the international exhibition Stockholmia 86 from 1983 to 1987. From 1992 to 2000, he was Chairman of the Association of Friends of the Swedish Postal Museum (Postmusei vänner).

Personal life

Wallberg was married 1951–1973 to Annie-Marie Kvarforth (born 1928), the daughter of Lieutenant John Kvarforth and Julia Hansson. He was interred on 8 July 2015 at .

In an obituary, he is characterized as follows: "Börje Wallberg's broad knowledge and deep interest in people, history, strategy, and pedagogy made him highly appreciated by both colleagues and students. His leadership was widely recognized as broad-minded and attentive. His one-on-one conversations with students were conducted with great respect for the individual and served as support for young officers' continued careers and professional development."

Dates of rank 1946 – Second lieutenant ? – Lieutenant 1957 – Ryttmästare 1959 – Captain 1964 – Major 1966 – Lieutenant colonel 1970 – Colonel 1974 – Senior colonel

Awards and decorations 50x50px H. M. The King's Medal, 12th size gold (silver-gilt) medal worn around the neck on the Order of the Seraphim ribbon (1993)

Honours Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences (1976) Honorary member of the Philatelic Society of Sweden Signatorie to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (1994)