John Oswald (British Army officer)

Sir John Oswald
Born	2 October 1771 Dunnikier, Fife, Scotland
Died	8 June 1840 (aged 68) Dunnikier, Fife, Scotland
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1788 to 1840
Rank	British Army 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

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.

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.

John Oswald was born in 1771 in Fife, the son of James Townsend Oswald. In approximately 1785 he was sent to school in France, the prestigious military academy at Brienne-le-Château, where he formed a lasting friendship with Louis-Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne, future secretary to Napoleon. Oswald spent many school holidays with his friends in Paris and developed an affection for France and the French language that he retained throughout his life. Oswald returned to Britain in 1788 and purchased a commission as a second lieutenant in the 23rd Regiment of Foot, he was promoted first lieutenant on transfer to the 7th Regiment of Foot the following year. In 1790 he was with his regiment when they were stationed at Gibraltar and in 1791 was given an independent company as a temporary captain, an appointment confirmed two months later accompanied by a transfer to the 35th Regiment of Foot.

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