Wroth Palmer Acland
Encyclopedia
Sir Wroth Palmer Acland K.C.B.
(1770–1816), English soldier lieutenant-general, notable for his role in the Peninsular War
.
, and entered the army in 1787 as ensign in the 17th regiment. He became lieutenant in 1790, and captain in 1791, and was then placed on half pay. On the breaking out of the war with France all officers were required for active service, and Captain Acland was appointed to the 3rd regiment or Buffs in May 1793. He served in Flanders
under the Duke of York
, and in 1795 was promoted major, and purchased the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 19th regiment.
In 1796 he accompanied his regiment to Ceylon, and in 1799 became by exchange captain and lieutenant-colonel in the 2nd or Coldstream guards, with which he served in Egypt
. He became colonel in 1803, and, after serving at the battle of Maida
, was appointed brigadier-general, and ordered to take command of a brigade fitting out at Harwich
for Portugal
in 1808. His brigade sailed in company with one under Brigadier-General Anstruther in May, and on reaching the Douro found orders from Sir Arthur Wellesley
to proceed to Maceira Bay. Here Wellesley covered the dangerous disembarkation of Acland's brigade, and then drew up the two brigades with the rest of his army in a strong position at Vimeiro
. Acland's brigade was posted on the left of the churchyard, which formed the key of the English position, and which would have been a post of much danger if Sir Arthur Wellesley had not perceived Junot
's plan of turning the English left, and sent the brigades on his own right to take position on Acland's left. As it was, Acland by a flank fire helped Anstruther to drive down the main French attacking column, which was his chief important service. Ill-health made it necessary for him to leave Portugal soon after the battle, and deprived him of the glory of serving, like Anstruther, under Sir John Moore.
In 1810 he was promoted major-general, and commanded a division in the expedition to the Scheldt, where, however, little glory was to be won. In 1814 he was promoted lieutenant-general, and on the extension of the order of the Bath made one of the first K.C.B.'s. In 1815 he was made colonel of the first battalion of the 60th regiment, and on 8 March 1816 died from the recurrence of the fever which had threatened his life in Portugal.
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(1770–1816), English soldier lieutenant-general, notable for his role in the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
.
Biography
Acland was son of Arthur Palmer Acland, of Fairfield, and nephew of Sir Thomas Acland, Bart.Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 7th Baronet
Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 7th Baronet was the son of Sir Hugh Acland, 6th Baronet and Cicely Wrothe.-Succession:He succeeded his father as baronet on the latter's death on 29 July 1728...
, and entered the army in 1787 as ensign in the 17th regiment. He became lieutenant in 1790, and captain in 1791, and was then placed on half pay. On the breaking out of the war with France all officers were required for active service, and Captain Acland was appointed to the 3rd regiment or Buffs in May 1793. He served in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
under the Duke of York
Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany
The Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany was a member of the Hanoverian and British Royal Family, the second eldest child, and second son, of King George III...
, and in 1795 was promoted major, and purchased the lieutenant-colonelcy of the 19th regiment.
In 1796 he accompanied his regiment to Ceylon, and in 1799 became by exchange captain and lieutenant-colonel in the 2nd or Coldstream guards, with which he served in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. He became colonel in 1803, and, after serving at the battle of Maida
Battle of Maida
The Battle of Maida on 4 July 1806 saw a British expeditionary force fight a First French Empire division outside the town of Maida in Calabria, Italy during the Napoleonic Wars. John Stuart led 5,200 British troops to victory over about 6,000 French soldiers under Jean Reynier, inflicting...
, was appointed brigadier-general, and ordered to take command of a brigade fitting out at Harwich
Harwich
Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south...
for Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in 1808. His brigade sailed in company with one under Brigadier-General Anstruther in May, and on reaching the Douro found orders from Sir Arthur Wellesley
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
to proceed to Maceira Bay. Here Wellesley covered the dangerous disembarkation of Acland's brigade, and then drew up the two brigades with the rest of his army in a strong position at Vimeiro
Vimeiro
Vimeiro is a freguesia in the municipality of Lourinhã in west-central Portugal. It is in the District of Lisboa. It has an area of approximately 7 km2 and a population of 1,443 as of 2001....
. Acland's brigade was posted on the left of the churchyard, which formed the key of the English position, and which would have been a post of much danger if Sir Arthur Wellesley had not perceived Junot
Jean-Andoche Junot
Jean-Andoche Junot, 1st Duke of Abrantès was a French general during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.-Early life:...
's plan of turning the English left, and sent the brigades on his own right to take position on Acland's left. As it was, Acland by a flank fire helped Anstruther to drive down the main French attacking column, which was his chief important service. Ill-health made it necessary for him to leave Portugal soon after the battle, and deprived him of the glory of serving, like Anstruther, under Sir John Moore.
In 1810 he was promoted major-general, and commanded a division in the expedition to the Scheldt, where, however, little glory was to be won. In 1814 he was promoted lieutenant-general, and on the extension of the order of the Bath made one of the first K.C.B.'s. In 1815 he was made colonel of the first battalion of the 60th regiment, and on 8 March 1816 died from the recurrence of the fever which had threatened his life in Portugal.