John Dyke Acland

Who was John Dyke Acland?

Major John Dyke Acland, son of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 7th Baronet, was a British officer who fought in the American War of Independence and, later, a politician.

Acland was an officer in the 20th Foot. He served under General Burgoyne in his invasion of northern New York in 1777. On 7 October 1777, he was shot through the legs and taken prisoner at the Battle of Bemis Heights, near Stillwater, New York. His wife, Lady Harriet, was allowed to attend in the American camp and was well-treated by the American forces.

He was elected an MP in 1774.

Acland was grateful for the treatment received when recuperating as a prisoner of war. Upon returning to England he challenged a Lieutenant Lloyd to a duel when the latter spoke poorly of Americans at a dinner party. Although he survived the duel, he caught a cold during it from which he died at Pixton Park in 1778.

His only son was the 8th Baronet but as he died young, the baronetcy passed to Major John's brother, Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 9th Baronet.