Sir William Acland | |
|---|---|
 An early colour photo taken in 1903 by his sisterSarah | |
| Born | (1847-12-18)18 December 1847 |
| Died | 26 November 1924(1924-11-26) (aged 76) |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Channel Squadron; Admiral Superintendent of the Gibraltar Dockyard |
| Awards | CVO |
| Spouse | Emily Anna Smith |
AdmiralSir William Alison Dyke Acland, 2nd Baronet,CVO, JP, DL (18 December 1847 – 26 November 1924) was aRoyal Navy officer who rose to the rank ofAdmiral.[1][2] He served in theMediterranean Fleet,North American Station,Australia Station and theChannel Squadron.[3]
William Acland was the eldest son ofSir Henry Acland, 1st Baronet andSarah Cotton.
In 1879, Acland was promoted to the rank of Commander. In May 1883 he received command of the sloopHMS Miranda on theAustralian Station.
In January 1885 he was promoted to the rank of Captain.[3]Miranda was engaged in anti-blackbirding operations in the south-west Pacific. She visited many of theEllice Islands in 1886.[3]
In July 1889, Acland was appointed to command the corvetteHMS Volage (1869) in theTraining Squadron, following which he commanded the cruiserHMS Edgar (1890) in theMediterranean Fleet, then he was appointed to command of the cruiserHMS Australia (1886) of theChannel Squadron.[3]
Acland was appointed second in command of theChannel Squadron from early June 1901,[4] and hoisted his flag on board thepre-dreadnought battleshipHMSMagnificent on 5 June 1901.[5] After a year he was relieved of the command in the Channel Squadron, and struck his flag on theMagnificent on 5 June 1902.[6]
Four months later, he was appointedAdmiral Superintendent of theGibraltar Dockyard,[7] and was received in audience by KingEdward VII on 21 October 1902,[8] before taking up the position later the same month when he hoisted his flag at the receiving shipHMSCormorant on 30 October.[9] He lived at the official residenceThe Mount atGibraltar, whilst he held the office of Admiral Superintendent from 1902 to 1904. He was promoted tovice-admiral on 15 March 1904,[10] and left Gibraltar three months later. He was promoted to Admiral in 1908. He was placed on the Retired List on 17 July 1911.[3]
He was aDeputy Lieutenant ofDevon, and aJustice of the Peace forOxfordshire and Devon.
William Acland married Hon. Emily Anna Smith, daughter of the Rt. Hon.William Henry Smith and Emily Danvers, Viscountess Hambleden, on 7 July 1887, and had the following children:
Acland succeeded his father as2nd Baronet Acland, of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford on the latter's death on 16 October 1900. On his death in 1924, he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his eldest son.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Admiral-Superintendent ofHM Dockyard, Gibraltar 1902–04 | Succeeded by |
| Baronetage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by | Baronet (of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford) 1900–1924 | Succeeded by |