John Oswald (British Army officer)
General Sir John Oswald GCB GCMG (2 October 1771 – 8 June 1840) was a prominent British Army officer during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars whose service was conducted in seven different theatres of war. Oswald was born in Fife and educated in France, which gave him both excellent command of the French language and close connections with the French aristocracy. The excesses of the French Revolution gave him a hatred of the French Republic and later Empire, and his exemplary service in the West Indies, the Netherlands, Malta, Italy, Egypt, the Adriatic and finally the Peninsular War demonstrated both his keen tactical and strategic understanding his and personal courage.
Sir John Oswald | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 October 1771 Dunnikier, Fife, Scotland |
| Died | 8 June 1840 (aged 68) Dunnikier, Fife, Scotland |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Years of service | 1788 to 1840 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | French Revolutionary Wars • Capture of Martinique, St Lucia and Guadeloupe • Invasion of the Netherlands • Capture of Malta Napoleonic Wars • Battle of Maida • Alexandria expedition of 1807 • Capture of the Ionian Islands • Battle of Osma • Battle of Vitoria • Siege of San Sebastian |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George |
Highly commended for his war service, Oswald later took an interest in politics, unsuccessfully attempting to enter parliament but using his influence in the army to support the Conservatives. He married twice and had several children, and was invested in two knightly orders following his retirement from the army in recognition of his service. He died in 1840 at his family estate in Fife.