The Gotland National Conscription (Swedish: Gotlands nationalbeväring) was a Swedish Armyinfantry unit that traced its origins back to the 19th century. It was split into two new regiments in 1887. The regiment's soldiers were recruited on the island of Gotland.
History
Gotland National Conscription was raised in 1811 through an agreement, a convention between the people of Gotland and the king.[1] It became Sweden's first military conscript defence with exercise duty even in peacetime. It mobilized nearly 20% of the population and raised four battalions in addition to artillery. The officers were appointed by the King; non-commissioned officers were elected by the men. In 1887, the Gotland National Conscription was reformed into two separate units, the Gotland Infantry Regiment and the Gotland Artillery Corps.[1]
Organisation 1861
Battalion commanders of the Gotlands nationalbeväring (the Gotland National Conscription), 1880s. Top row, left to right: C. G. Meukow, C. O. A. af Klint and P. A. L. Gahne. Lower row, left to right: O. L. Gustafsson and Ad. v. Post. Gotlands Tidningar (Newspaper), 1887.Memorial stone at P 18. The text reads: "Gotland National Conscription - Gotland Military Command 1811-1986."
Northern battalion (which in 1870 consisted of 5,040 men) consisted of the following companies:[2]
The number of conscripts amounted to 8,496 men and the officer corps comprised 111 men. The state cost for the conscripts amounted to 139,562 riksdaler and 92 öre, of which the military accounted for 2,000.[2]
Commanding officers
"Artillery Barracks Skeppsbron Here worked the Military Commander 1887–1902 1909–1927"
The Military Commanders of Gotland from 1811 to 1886. After Lennart Reuterskiöld's withdrawal as military commander the post of Military Commander and County Governor came to be united until 1873, then the posts were separated into two. Both Rudolf Cederström and Lennart Reuterskiöld were Military Commander and Deputy County Governor.[3]
