6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
13/12/1887
Died:
09/10/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
28
Summary
Vincent Andrews Acheson was born on 13 December 1887. Vincent was the son of David and Sarah Acheson of Drumreany, Castlecaulfield. Vincent had an older brother Frank D Acheson, who was born around.1880. Vincent studied at Lurgan and then at St Andrews College, Dublin. He captained Dungannon Rugby Club. On the death of his father in 1912, he took charge of the Castlecaulfield factory, the linen manufacturing firm trading as Acheson & Smith Limited. He later married Agnes Swan, of Broughty Ferry (near Dundee) , Scotland. They had a son, David.
On the outbreak of the war, he had at once volunteered and had joined the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a private. He soon obtained a commission in January 1915, was appointed Captain, and in the succeeding autumn, gained his company. Captain Vincent A. Acheson died during the Salonika Campaign, on 10th September, 1916.
Further Information
Vincent was the youngest son of David and Sarah Acheson. David Acheson and Sarah Walker were married on 20th November 1872 in the district of Dungannon.
Vincent Andrews Acheson was born on 13th December 1887. He was the youngest of five children, all born in the Castlecaulfield area.
Family: David Acheson, Sarah Acheson, Frederick W W Acheson (born 3rd June 1874), Amy Acheson (born 7th February 1876), Francis D Acheson (born 22nd September 1879), Malcolm King Acheson (born 17th August 1882), Vincent Andrews Acheson (born 13th December 1887).
Vincent came to Lurgan College in August 1899, leaving on October 31st, 1900
The 1901 census shows Vincent, age 13, at boarding school in 21.2 in Stephens Green North (Mansion House, Dublin) where he was attending at St Andrews College, Dublin.
He was an enthusiastic sportsman, and had assisted Dungannon Rugby Club, and captained the team in 1906-07, when Dungannon annexed the Provincial Towns Cup. He had also turned out for the North of Ireland Rugby Club during two seasons.
Vincent then went to Manchester to attend technical classes in connection with the linen industry.
The 1911 census shows Vincent as single living with parents and brother in Castlecaulfield. Aged 23, he was listed as a Linen Manufacturer and Merchant
On the death of his father in 1912, he took charge of the Castlecaulfield factory, the linen manufacturing firm trading as Acheson & Smith Limited.
Vincent's grandfather, the Rev. Joseph Acheson, was for many years the pastor of Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church and to his memory, the congregation erected a building known as the Acheson Memorial Hall
He later was married to Agnes Acheson (born 26 June 1889), of Castlecaulfield, Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone. He married the eldest daughter of Mr Peter Swan, of Broughty Ferry (near Dundee) , Scotland and they resided in the commodious building at Castlecaulfield in which the famous Earl of Charlemont (the 'Volunteer' Earl) was born.
They had a son, David, who was born on 22 January 1913.
Vincent Acheson took an active part in the Ulster Volunteer movement, commanding the Castlecaulfield Company of the Dungannon Battalion.
1914
On the outbreak of the war, on 26th August, 1914, he had at once volunteered in common with the senior officers of the Dungannon Battalion and had joined the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a private.
He soon obtained a commission in January 1915, was appointed Captain, and in the succeeding autumn, gained his company.
From the Dungannon Courier, Thursday 3rd September 1914:
The departure from Dungannon on Wednesday afternoon (2nd Sept 1914) of over 100 members of the Dungannon Battalion, Ulster Volunteer Force for Omagh for the purpose of joining the new 5th and 6th Battalions of the Inniskilling Fusiliers was marked by a scene of great enthusiasm. The men paraded at the Royal School and headed by the Dungannon Brass Band, and escorted by a large number of members of the battalion, carry rifles and wearing full equipment, marched to the railway station. The station premises were thronged by an enormous crowd and as the train steamed off, hearty cheers were raised, the band playing “See the Conquering Hero Come” and “Auld Lang Syne” and detonators were exploded. A number of battalion officers have enrolled with the men and accompanied them including Mr Robert Stevenson (second in command) Messrs R H Scott, W T Dickson and V Acheson (Company officers) and Mr W Porter (half-company officer).
1915
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th January 1915:
Mr Vincent A Acheson has been promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant in the 6th Inniskillings. He was a prominent rugby man, and company commander ‘G’ Company U.V.F.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th January 1915:
Lieutenant Vincent Acheson, of the 6th (Service) Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has recently being promoted, is the youngest son of the late Mr David Acheson J.P., founder of the extensive linen manufacturing firm now trading as Acheson & Smith Limited, Castlecaulfield. He took an active part in the Ulster Volunteer movement, and was officer commanding Castlecaulfield Company, and on the outbreak of war, Lieutenant Acheson at once, in common with the senior officers of the Dungannon Battalion U.V.F., volunteered his services, and was speedily marked out for well-deserved promotion. He is as popular with officers and men of his present company as he was with the Castlecaulfield Company, and although a man of few words, he put his heart into any undertaking in which he is interested, Educated at Lurgan College, and afterwards at St Andrews College, Dublin, Lieutenant Acheson, after a very successful scholastic career, went to Manchester to attend technical classes in connection with the linen industry. On the death of his father three years ago, he took charge of the Castlecaulfield factory, and his thorough knowledge of the details of the business enabled him to carry it on with complete success. Lieutenant Acheson is married the eldest daughter of Mr Peter Swan, of Broughty Ferry, Scotland and they resides in in the commodious building at Castlecaulfield, in which the famous Earl of Charlemont was born, the Charlemont family having moved into it temporarily when the Castle at Castlecaulfield was burned, the ruins of which are still to be seen. Lieutenant Acheson belongs to an old Presbyterian family. His grandfather, Rev. Joseph Acheson, was for many years the beloved pastor of Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church and to his memory, the congregation recently erected a fine building known as the Acheson Memorial Hall. Ever an ardent sportsman, Lieutenant Acheson assisted the Dungannon Football Rugby Club, and captained the team in 1906-07, when Dungannon annexed the Provincial Towns Cup after a very hard struggle and several drawn games. His brothers, Dr Malcolm Acheson, who is at present at the front with the R.A.M.C., and Fred and Frank, were also enthusiastic members of the club.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 11th November 1915: Malcolm King Acheson (brother of Vincent Acheson)
Temporary Lieutenant Malcolm King Acheson, M.D., R.A.M.C., has been prompted to the rank of temporary captain. He is the third son of the late Mr David Acheson. J.P., linen manufacturer, Castlecaulfield, County Tyrone, and was educated at Dungannon Royal School and at Trinity College, Dublin where he obtained his degree. He was in practice in England at the outbreak of the war, and has been on active service in France for a considerable time.
Captain Acheson took part in the landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 7th August 1915. He also served in Serbia, Egypt and Macedonia.
1916
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 31st July 1916: Service Battalions – Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
The undermentioned to be temporary captains whilst commanding a company:- Temporary Lieutenant V A Acheson, 12th May.
Captain Vincent A Acheson was killed in action during the Salonika Campaign on 10th September 1916.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 21 September 1916: Captain Vincent Acheson killed
Much regret has been occasioned amongst a wide circle of friends by the death in action of Captain Vincent Acheson, 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers, which took place on Sunday 10th September. The deceased officer was the youngest son of the late Mr David Acheson J.P., Castlecaulfield, founder of the extensive linen manufacturing firm now trading as Acheson & Smith Limited. He was educated at Lurgan College, and afterwards at St Andrews College, Dublin and after a very successful scholastic career went to Manchester to attend technical classes in connection with the linen industry. On the death of his father four years ago, he took charge of the Castlecaulfield factory, and his thorough knowledge of the details of the business enabled him to carry it on with complete success. He married the eldest daughter of Mr Peter Swan, of Broughty Ferry (near Dundee) , Scotland and they resided in the commodious building at Castlecaulfield in which the famous Earl of Charlemont (the 'Volunteer' Earl) was born, the Charlemont family having moved into it temporarily when the Castle at Castlecaulfield was burned, the ruins of which are still to be seen. Captain Acheson belonged to an old Presbyterian family. His grandfather, the Rev. Joseph Acheson, was for many years the beloved pastor of Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church and to his memory, the congregation recently erected a fine building known as the Acheson Memorial Hall. The deceased officer took an active part in the Ulster Volunteer movement, commanding the Castlecaulfield Company of the Dungannon Battalion. On the outbreak of the present war, he had at once volunteered in common with the senior officers of the Dungannon Battalion and had joined the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling fusiliers as a private. He soon obtained a commission in January 1915, was appointed Captain, and in the succeeding autumn, gained his company. He had served in the eastern theatre of operations since the arrival of the 10th Division at Gallipoli; and was as popular with the officers and men as he had been with the Castlecaulfield company , and although a man of few words, he put his heart into the work. He was an enthusiastic sportsman, and had assisted Dungannon Rugby Club, and captained the team in 1906-07, when Dungannon annexed the Provincial Towns Cup after a very hard struggle and several drawn games. He had also turned out for the North of Ireland Rugby Club during two seasons. His brother, Dr Malcolm K Acheson, is at the front with the R.A.M.C., and holds the rank of Captain and the deceased officer is also a brother-in-law of the Rev. Samuel Lindsay, B.A., minister of Crescent Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The greatest sympathy is felt for the deceased young wife and two children in their heavy bereavement.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd September 1916: Captain Vincent Acheson
Much regret was expressed amongst a large circle of friends at the intimation of the death in action of Captain Vincent Acheson, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, which took place on Sunday last. The deceased officer was the youngest son of the late Mr David Acheson J.P., Castlecaulfield, founder of the extensive linen manufacturing firm now trading as Acheson & Smith Limited. Captain Acheson was educated at Lurgan College, and afterwards at St Andrews College, Dublin and after a very successful scholastic career went to Manchester to attend technical classes in connection with the linen industry. On the death of his father four years ago, he took charge of the Castlecaulfield factory, and his thorough knowledge of the details of the business enabled him to carry it on with complete success. He married the eldest daughter of Mr Peter Swan, of Broughty Ferry (near Dundee), Scotland and they resided in the commodious building at Castlecaulfield in which the famous Earl of Charlemont (the 'Volunteer Earl') was born, the Charlemont family having moved into it temporarily when the Castle at Castlecaulfield was burned, the ruins of which are still to be seen. Captain Acheson belonged to an old Presbyterian family. His grandfather, the Rev. Joseph Acheson, was for many years the beloved pastor of Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church and to his memory, the congregation recently erected a fine building known as the Acheson Memorial Hall. The deceased officer took an active part in the Ulster Volunteer movement, commanding the Castlecaulfield Company of the Dungannon Battalion. On the outbreak of war, he had at once volunteered in common with the senior officers of the Dungannon Battalion and had joined the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a private, but was speedily marked out for a well-deserved promotion. He soon obtained a commission, and in January 1915, was appointed Captain, and in the succeeding autumn, gained his company. He had served in the Eastern theatre of operations from the arrival of the 10th Division at Gallipoli; and was as popular with the officers and men as he had been with the Castlecaulfield Company, and although a man of few words, he put his heart into the work. Ever an ardent sportsman, he had assisted Dungannon Rugby Football Club, and captained the team in 1906-07, when Dungannon annexed the Provincial Towns Cup after a very hard struggle and several drawn games. He had also turned out for the North of Ireland Rugby Club during two seasons. His brother, Dr Malcolm K Acheson, is at the front with the R.A.M.C., and holds the rank of Captain and the deceased is also a brother-in-law of the Rev. Samuel Lindsay, B.A., minister of Crescent Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The utmost sympathy is being expressed with the deceased young wife and children in their distressing bereavement.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 12 October 1916: Dungannon Council - The Late Captain V Acheson
Mr Bennett referred to the death in action at Salonika of Captain Vincent Acheson, Castlecaulfield, and proposed that a letter of sympathy be forwarded to his wife. The late Captain Acheson was a fine gentleman and they all deeply regretted his death Mr Wilson seconded. Mr Daly said as a Castlecaulfield man he wished to support the resolution. Personally he had the greatest sympathy for young Mrs Acheson and family on the loss they had sustained. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 12 October 1916: Memorial Service for Captain Vincent Acheson R.I.F.
In the Presbyterian Church at Castlecaulfield on Sunday afternoon a memorial service was held in memory of the fallen officer. Over five hundred people were accommodated in the building and many were unable to gain admission. Among those present were the two little sons of the deceased officer and his brothers, Mr Fred Acheson, Dundalk and Captain Malcolm K Acheson, R.A.M.C. The service was conducted by Rev R McClean, assisted by Rev R Sides, M.A., rector of Castlecaulfield, who read the Scriptures and Rev William Bryans, Methodist Minister, Dungannon, who led in prayer. Rev. Mr McClean preached the text Isaiah LVII vi 'the righteous perisheth, and no man layeth to heart and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.' He said 'We are met together this afternoon to pay our last tribute of respect to one whose memory is very dear to us all, as well as to show sympathy for the mourners in this time of their sore bereavement. Few of us ever contemplated that such a meeting as this would be held. On the contrary, our thoughts were rather in the opposite direction. Some of us had been thinking how we could make his welcome home to be in keeping with the great sacrifices he had made, and the great work he had done. God however, the wise disposer of events, has willed it otherwise, showing us that 'His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts.' We do not know anyone who has made greater sacrifices than what our young friend did. He left a happy home with a wife that he loved very dearly, as well as two beautiful children, and with high prospects of the abundance of this world's good things. His going away was voluntary. Most people at that time and since have said if anyone had an excuse for staying at home, it was he. But his patriotism, and his love of what was right, as well as his contempt for what was wrong, led him not to count his life dear unto himself. No wonder the lamentation today is so deep and so generally owing to that pure, spotless, manly life being so early, unexpectedly and tragically cut short. We cannot but feel today how much he will be missed in this village and neighbourhood, where he was beginning a life of marked usefulness, how much we as a congregation will miss his presence in that pew where he sat so regularly from Sabbath to Sabbath, how much we will miss his valuable services as treasurer of our church funds, as well as his liberal support of all good objects, and chiefly how much he will be missed in that place which is almost to tender to refer to – the home of his love. But one of the grandeurs of this life is to live so as to be missed. Oh, what lessons the dear Lord is now teaching. He is teaching by heart what was only known before by rote. But our faith tells us that every cup is of the Lord's own preparing and that what we don not know now, we shall know hereafter. Now it is not necessary for me to enter fully into all the particulars of the life of Captain Vincent A Acheson, as he was so well known to you, the people of Castlecaulfield. To me, he seemed to be following very closely in the footsteps of his noble father, who was the most truthful and upright man I have ever known, a man who abhorred all kinds of hypocrisy, especially in religion. And none of us knew half of his goodness till he was dead and gone. Then we found there was hardly a new church or school house or lecture hall all over the country in which he had not a stone. But in the doing of it, he shut to the door and did not blow a trumpet. And you, the members of this Church, know how he helped on every good work in connection with it and how much we owe to him. I have heard it said more than once and doubtless some of you will have heard it too that it was he who was chiefly instrumental in making Castlecaulfield the prosperous and interesting place it is. He whose memory we are commemorating today showed marked signs, as I have already said, of following in the footsteps of his excellent father. It is said one of the ways to know and see a man at his best is to go to his house. Well I think I can say truly some of the happiest homes I have ever visited were his father's and afterwards his own home. To the outside world, our young friend was shy and retiring and as a result, not seen at his true value. But to those who knew him intimately, he was one of the finest types of Ulsterman we had among us. At the present time we are all proud to think we are Ulster men, and we are especially proud of our Ulster soldiers. During the present war, they have manifested an amount of valour and determination and pluck as, competent judges say, has never been equalled or surpassed in this or any other war. He, whose early removal we mourn over today, when at home or abroad or wherever he went, was marked out as one of the very bravest of Ulster's sons. Since his lamented death, one of his brother officers writing home says:- 'Not may days after we came here and several times before our last scrap here on Sunday (the 10th, the fatal day), the Colonel said to me, 'what a grand fellow Acheson is, the soundest man in the battalion' and this he repeated several times, as we went round the lines together'. Another officer writes among other things:- 'A more thorough man never lived, and thank God when his time did come, it came instantly when he was tying up a wounded soldier.' His death is some respects resemble that of Sir John Moore's at Caruna. It was on the evening of a hard day's battle and when retiring that he received his mortal wound. That beautiful poem that has thrilled so many hearts tells us how he was buried. 'We buried him darkly at dead of night, The sods with our bayonets turning.' But in the case of our dear friend, the pressure and fire of the enemy accompanied with darkness was so great that there was no time for even a burial of this kind. All we can say of his body is that it lies somewhere in the far off land of Macedonia, just as the body of the beloved Kitchener lies sleeping somewhere in the waters of our Northern seas. But we leave these dark things in the hands of the wise disposer all human events. Today while we feel sad that we shall not se his face again on earth, we are proud of his bravery and heroism and self-denial for the good of others and we hope his mantle will fall on some here who will be following in his footsteps with the view of bringing our beloved country to the end of this very trying time. There is just one other thing to which I would like to refer before closing and without which our meeting here this afternoon would to me wear a tinge of sadness. And what I have to say is this, that while he whose early removal from amongst us was a soldier of our King, he was also a soldier of King Jesus, which is our best preparation for all successful work, and the recollection of the time when he enlisted in His service is to me as his minister the brightest spot in his life, so that we do not mourn about him today as those who have no hope. God, who knows all things, knew that our young friend had served his apprenticeship here and that he was fitted for the home country. He knew that this cold bleak world was not the place for him any longer. And so in His love and goodness, he has transplanted him to that place where there are no frosts nor snows, nor burning suns, but where it is all a beautiful summer's day. The mansions are filling; the great cloud of witnesses is increasing. Let us each run so that we may obtain
Vincent A. Acheson is buried in grave 4. E. 8. at Struma Military Cemetery, Greece
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 14th October 1916: The Late Vincent Andrews Acheson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 21st October 1916: The late Captain V Acheson, Castlecaulfield
A memorial service in connection with the death of the late Captain V Acheson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was killed in action in Macedonia on 17th September, was held in Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon. The building was filled to overflowing owing to the popularity of the deceased officer and the members of his family, and a number of people were unable to gain admission. The two little sons of the deceased officer were present, and also two brothers, Mr Fred Acheson, Dundalk and Captain Malcolm K Acheson, R.A.M.C. The service was conducted by Rev Robert McClean, and the special lessons were read by Rev John R Sides, M.A., rector of the parish, and prayer was offered by Rev William Bryans, senior minister of Dungannon Methodist Church. The 39th and 90th Psalms, and the Hymn, 'the Sands of Time are Sinking', were sung. Addressing the congregation from the text 'the righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.' The Rev Robert McClean said that they had met to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of one who had been very dear to all of them, and to offer their sympathy to the relatives in their sad bereavement. The deceased officer had been treasurer of that congregation, and had been the first member of it to pay the supreme sacrifice. He had been one of the finest types of Ulstermen, and although he had a good excuse for staying at home, his patriotism and uprightness, and his contempt of that which was evil, had sent him forth to fight his country's battles. He had been killed in that far off land of Macedonia, whilst binding up the wounds of a fellow soldier, and his Colonel had written 'What a grand fellow Acheson was! He was the best man in the whole battalion.' Another officer in writing said 'A better man never lived.' The collection was taken up on behalf of the Red Cross Funds, and the service concluded with the National Anthem.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 16 November 1916: Malcolm Acheson (brother of Vincent)
Captain M K Acheson M D, R.A.M.C., has been awarded the Military Cross 'for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended the wounded under very heavy fire, displaying great courage and determination. By his devotion and initiative, he was instrumental in saving many lives.' Captain Acheson is a son of the late Mr David Acheson, J.P., and a brother of Captain Vincent A Acheson, who was recently killed in action.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 18th November 1916: Malcolm Acheson (brother of Vincent)
Captain Malcolm King Acheson, M.D., Royal Army Medical Corps, is awarded the Military Cross for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended the wounded under very heavy fire, displaying great courage and determination. By his devotion and initiative he was instrumental in saving many lives.' Captain Acheson is a son of the late Mr David Acheson, J.P., linen manufacturer, of Castlecaulfield, and a brother of Captain Vincent A Acheson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was recently killed in action.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 18th November 1916: Distinguished Lurgan College ‘Old Boys’ - Malcolm Acheson (brother of Vincent)
Captain Malcolm King Acheson, who has just been awarded the Military Cross, was for some years a boarder at Lurgan College, and subsequently a distinguished student of Trinity College, Dublin. Another old Lurgan College boy is Brigadier General W Dugan, D.S.O.
1918
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 1st October 1918: Malcolm Acheson (brother of Vincent)
Captain Malcolm K Acheson, M.C., M.D., Royal Army Medical Corps, officially reported wounded, is a son of the late Mr David Acheson, J.P., of Castlecaulfield, County Tyrone. He was educated at Lurgan College, and Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Acheson wears the ribbon of the 1914 Star, and in 1916 was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The statement of service in connection with the award stated – ‘He tended the wounded under very heavy fire, displaying great courage and determination. By his devotion and initiative he was instrumental in saving many lives.’ The wounded officer’s brother, Captain Vincent A Acheson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed in action in the Balkans on 10th September 1916.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 2nd October 1918: Captain Malcolm K Acheson (brother of Vincent)
A telegram from the War Office reports that Captain M K Acheson, Royal Army Medical Corps (R.A.M.C.), has been wounded and is in hospital overseas. His injury is, happily, not serious. Captain Acheson is a son of the late Mr David Acheson, J.P., of Castlecaulfield, and brother of Captain Vincent Acheson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who served in Gallipoli and was killed in the Balkans in September 1916. He is an M.A. and an M.D. of Trinity College, Dublin, and is well known in rugby football circles, having played for Dungannon, Trinity College, Leinster and Ulster. He holds the Mons Star and the Military Cross.
Vincent is also commemorated on the gravestone of the family plot in Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church cemetery.
Vincent Andrews is also commemorated on a plaque in Castlecaulfield Presbyterian Church.
“In loving memory of Vincent Andrews Acheson, Captain 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Born 13th December 1887. Killed in action at Jenekoi, Macedonia on the 10th September 1916. Laid to rest near Salonika. Until the day break”
Vincent's wife Agnes Acheson died on 22nd March 1968. Their son, David Acheson, died in 21st May 1959.
The CWGC record Captain V A Acheson as the son of David and Sarah Acheson, of Castlecaulfield. He is also recorded as the husband of Agnes Acheson of Castlecaulfield, Donaghmore, County Tyrone. The CWGC note that he enlisted on 26th August 1914 and that he took part in the landing at Suvla Bay on 7th August 1915. He is also listed as having served in Serbia, Egypt and Macedonia.
