Elisa Bernerström

Who is Elisa Bernerström?

Elisa Bernerström also known as Katrin Servenius and Johanna Servenius, was a woman who served in the Swedish army dressed as a man during the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia 1808-1809. She was decorated for bravery in battle, and was the only confirmed woman decorated for bravery in battle on land, while Brita Hagberg and Anna Maria Engsten were decorated for bravery at sea.

Elisa Bernerström, a maid, met the soldier Bernard Servenius when his regiment was stationed in Stockholm. They fell in love and were married, and when the regiment left for war Elisa disguised herself as a man and enlisted as a soldier in the regiment herself: "as she had decided to live and to die with her husband". This regiment was either the King's lifeguard or the Queen's regiment.

Her husband was believed killed in action at the Battle of Ratan and Sävar, while she herself collected the ammunition of the enemy and gave it to her fellow soldiers during the battle. For this action Wachtmeister recommended that she be decorated for bravery in battle. During the march to Piteå, when for the third time she prepared to "in her ability serve her country", her gender was discovered and she was fired.