Oswald Adolphus Korth

 The Life of Oswald Adolphus Korth

In my last post, I wrote about the Swansea Tragedy of Walter Wallace. Today’s story explores the life of another intriguing figure connected with Swansea’s past — Oswald Adolphus Korth.

Early Career

South Wales Daily News

South Wales Daily News

Oswald first appears in the records in 1883, when he advertised his services in the South Wales Daily News. From his home in Kensington Terrace, he offered lessons in elementary education, with French and German available as additional subjects. Over the years, his adverts continued to appear in the local press. The final one, published in 1926, shows him boldly calling himself a “Professor.”

Marriage and Family

Oswald Adolphus Korth and Sarah Ann Thomas 
marriage certificate
St. Andrew’s Church in Cardiff

That same year, 1883, Oswald married Sarah Ann Thomas at St. Andrew’s Church in Cardiff. Both were listed as 27 years old, living at 15 Cambrook Street, with Oswald’s occupation given as Clerk.

1891 Census

By the 1891 Census, Oswald was living at 15 St. Helens Avenue, Swansea. His age is oddly recorded as 23, and his birthplace is listed as Elbing, West Russia. His occupation had changed to Professor of Language. With him were his sons, Herbert (5) and Leslie (3), along with a 17-year-old servant, Elizabeth Kemp. Curiously, Sarah was not there, but remained with her parents in Cardiff.

Kelly’s Trade Directory

In Kelly’s Trade Directory of 1895, Oswald is recorded as a Teacher of Language at 1 St. Helens Avenue.

Becoming a British Subject

Naturalisation Certificate and 
Declarations Records

In December 1899, Oswald joined Swansea’s Indefatigable Lodge of Freemasons. Two years later, in January 1901, he formally applied for British citizenship. At the age of 45, Oswald, the son of Adolph Jacob and Aurelis Leopoldine Korth, swore the Oath of Allegiance at 1 Kensington Terrace. He and his sons — Herbert Hugh Howell and Leslie Oswald Stuart — were declared British subjects under the authority of Charles Thomson Ritchie.

Life in Swansea

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the Korth family was still at 1 Kensington Terrace. Oswald, aged 56, is listed as a Professor of Language. Sarah, also 56, was recorded alongside their two sons: Herbert, 26, working as a French Correspondent, and Leslie, 24, employed as an Assistant Order Clerk. The household also included a servant, Ethel Florence Farrer, aged 16.

Leslie Oswald Stuart
Attesstation Papers

During the First World War, Leslie served with the Glamorgan Yeomanry in a Home Service role.

1921 Census

The 1921 Census paints a quieter picture — Sarah is recorded at home with only a visitor, Isabella Maria Brimson, aged 62.

Later Years

1939 Register

By 1939, the family had moved from Swansea to 5 Calverley Park Gardens, Royal Tunbridge Wells, where Oswald and Sarah were living with their son Leslie.

Sarah died in 1941, in Sevenoaks followed by Oswald in 1944, in Tunbridge Wells.

A Passion for Language

South Wales Evening Post 

Even late in life, Oswald remained deeply connected to the study of languages. A piece in the South Wales Evening Post from November 1934, looking back thirty years, recalled his attempt to start a Swansea club dedicated to Esperanto — the newly created “international language.”