After a fifteen-day ski march, they arrived at the Salla border to join the Finnish armed forces.
He also patrolled around the lines to spot possible attack routes and enemy locations.
[1] Following the war, he worked as a paramedic and studied Swedish and History at Stockholm University.
[3] He gained attention for his role in the war later in his life and in 2016 was invited to the Slottsbalen.
[1] Essén died on August 13, 2020, being the last living Swedish volunteer that fought in the Winter War.