A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Oxford, John
OXFORD. (Lieut., 1821. f-p., 22; h-p., 18.)
John Oxford entered the Navy, 6 April, 1807, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Maida 74, Capt. Sam. Hood Linzee; and in the following Nov., after having witnessed the fall of Copenhagen, became Midshipman of the Neptune 98, Capt. Sir Thos. Williams, attached to the Channel fleet. From Nov. 1808 until Nov. 1815 he served on the West India, Home, Mediterranean, Brazilian, and African stations, in the Belleisle 74, Commodore Geo. Cockburn, Tyrian 10, Capt. Henry Thos. Davies, Hannibal 74 and Royal George 100, both flagships of Sir Thos. Williams, Rodney 74, Capt. Edw. Durnford King, Royal William, Capt. Geo. Fowke, and Porcupine 24, Capts. Robt. Elliot and John Coode. In the Belleisle he assisted at the reduction of Martinique and Flushing in 1809; and in the Porcupine he was present at the memorable entrance into the Adour of the flotilla under Rear-Admiral Chas. Vinicombe Penrose, and at the forcing of the Gironde. After a servitude of two years at Plymouth in the Malta 80, Capt. Thos. Gordon Caulfeild, and, as Admiralty-Midshipman, in the Superb 74, Capt. Chas. Ekins, he sailed in 1818 for the East Indies, in the latter capacity, on board the Topaze frigate, Capts. John Rich. Lumley and Chas. Richardson. He returned to England in May, 1822, having been advanced to the rank of Lieutenant 19 July, 1821; and since 4 April, 1840, has been employed in the Coast Guard.