HMS Oswald

Oswald was an 'O' class submarine brought out of reserve to operate in the Mediterranean theatre during the second world war.

She was, to say the least, not in the best of fettle, ill equipped, outdated and plagued with major mechanical defects such as leaking stern tubes. Oswald had also undergone modification supposedly to make her easier to handle, however the alterations only made control of the submarine even more difficult.

On the night of 1st August 1940 Oswald was on the surface off Cape Spartivento Italy charging batteries and carrying out routine maintenance. She was spotted by the Italian destroyer Ugolino Vivaldi.
By the time Oswald’s crew had spotted the destroyer, Vivaldi was closing fast and there was no way the submarine could dive quickly enough or out run her. Closing at over twenty knots Vivaldi rammed Oswald and ran down her starboard side dropping depth charges as she passed.

The submarine was fatally wounded and Commander Fraser gave the order "abandon ship".
The fifty-five crew found themselves in the water and after some time were picked up by the attacking vessel; sadly three crew members did not survive.
After medical checks and interrogation the surviving crew were to spend the rest of the war in Italian prisoner of war camps. On return to England Commander David Fraser and the First Officer (my Uncle and Godfather, Grahame Marsh) were court martialed for their part in the incident.
This was not the end of the Oswald affair and now after all these years the truth is slowly emerging. Apart from my efforts, friends around the globe have spent many years unravelling Oswald’s story and I have been amazed and touched by the efforts of those seeking the truth as well as saddened by a few who fail to see the bigger picture and are still resentful.

Much has already been done but there is still much to do and the forum will be used to post progress so far, as well as to keep up to speed with new developments.

The Oswald - View Image

The Ugolino Vivaldi - View Image

Crew of Oswald aboard Ugolino Vivaldi after sinking - View Image

Easter 1967 Roy and Joyce on the left guess who is the idiot in the bobble hat - View Image

Graham Roy Marsh (My Uncle) as a Prisoner of War - View Image

Inscription on the back of POW camp picture confirmation he was still alive - View Image

My Uncle Roy as I knew him and Auntie Joyce wedding Malta 1939 - View Image