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CHAPTER VII
1870-72
IRELAND
At the end of March, 1870, the regiment was moved to Ireland, being stationed first at Clonmel [near Waterford]. Here, within a week of arrival, it was plunged into gloom by the sudden death of one of the officers Saunders, who was found in his chair, a victim to heart disease. Major Acton in particular was deeply affected by the event, and devoted himself, with all the more ardour, to religious work among the soldiers, attending their Bible-classes and prayer-meetings and organizing a Sunday-school for the benefit of the children.
Happy together in Ireland
After a busy month, occupied with the special duties attendant upon 'settling in' in addition to the ordinary routine, Major Acton crossed to Holy-head (April 26th) to meet his wife, who had meanwhile been staying with her parents. The two following days spent at Westaston (The present squire has changed it to the original name, Kilmacurragh, or Church of the Plain) were full of happiness for both. The Major took the greatest pride in showing the family home to his wife, while she was sufficiently impressed by its beauty to share his delight in no ordinary measure.
Major Acton could not spare much time away from his regiment, and returned to Clonmel on April 28th, leaving his wife in the care of his mother, brother, and his beloved sister, Janet. But this separation was only for a few days, for on May 5th the diary records:
'Met Georgie and Janet at station. Very happy and thankful to have G. back safely.'
The happiness of the succeeding months was intensified by the whole-hearted way in which Mrs. Charles Acton seconded her husband's efforts on behalf of the spiritual welfare of the soldiers and their families. Together they worked, often with the most cheering visible results, inspiring those about them with a reverence for ' whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report.'
Awaiting inspection
It is clear from Charles Acton's diary that he was now far happier than he was before his marriage. The frequent despondent entries are to be found no more, though there are still evidences that he was far from satisfied with the way in which he performed his regimental duties. For instance, we find this entry on October 2nd:
'Sunday. Very uneasy about inspection, for which I now feel I have not worked up enough the new drill. Cannot but think of this all the service. Pray earnestly to be saved from censure. Many very comforting passages in the service.'
Two days later the ordeal had to be faced, and, so far from there being any censure, the General was much pleased. Concerning this the Major writes, taking, as usual, no credit to himself:
'I feel very, very thankful, and pray to be able to do my duty henceforth better as to God.'
Birth of William
On March 21st, 1871, the two happy lives were enriched by the birth of their first-born son at Clonmel Rectory. [This was William Parsons Acton, who died of menengitis in Tunbridge Wells while a schoolboy of just 12. His letters home from school are here.]
The dying girl
Three months later the regiment moved to Waterford, and Mrs. Ball-Acton records that on the day of arrival there her husband found time to visit and pray with a sergeant's little daughter who was sick unto death. It was characteristic of the man that, in order that this Christian service might not interfere with his regimental duties, he went without his dinner. And this after an exceptionally busy and tiring day!
Seven uneventful weeks were spent at Waterford, and then (on July 25th) the 51st moved on to Curragh Camp. Here the Major and his wife spent three happy months in active religious work among the private soldiers and non-commissioned officers. Mrs. Acton writes:
'The meetings for Bible reading and prayer were much enjoyed, and we had the privilege of hearing Colonel Puget (8th Hussars) speak at several. For the first time we also attended a weekly Bible reading got up by some Christian officers and their wives.'
Cousin Charles in Sloane Square
From October 18th to the end of the year Major Acton was on leave, and spent the time pleasantly in London. Soon after his arrival he had an interview with Mr. Charles Annesley, his wife's cousin, which evidently made an impression upon him. The diary records:
'Letter from C. Annesley asking me to lunch. Go to his lodgings, Caroline Street, Sloane Square. Have a very pleasant interview with him from 2 to 3-45- He says we often spend our time reading books, papers, etc., quite harmless in themselves, but the time is precious. Should read the Bible five hours daily, and not let anything interfere therewith. I ask, Why so great a difficulty in speaking of religion? He says it is difficult in one's own family, as they see one's shortcomings so plainly. I do not think so much of this but that, "out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh;" and, alas ! the heart is not full of that. He says if our mind dwell on our being crucified with Christ, then we resist temptation and sin not. Doubtless this is true. Before I went my host prayed, and I feel that I should do well to cultivate his acquaintance.'
The sojourn in London was not remarkable for any particularly interesting experiences. To a certain extent it was marred by the illness in turn of the baby, Mrs. Acton, and the Major, but none of the cases developed seriously. The rest of the time was divided between a quiet home-life and visiting relatives and friends, who were sorry enough when, on December 26th, the hour came to say 'Good-bye.'
For the first nine months of 1872 Major Acton was with his regiment at Athlone, at Castlebar, and Fermoy, with short intervals of leave. He still spent as much time as ever in visiting the sick, in helping the weak, and in religious work of various kinds.
George Annesley's death
On April 8th Mrs. Acton heard the distressing news of the death of her father, and she and her husband immediately started for London to attend the funeral. A fortnight was spent with Mrs. Annesley, and then, very sadly, a last farewell was taken of the home of Mrs. Acton's childhood.
Sailing orders
With this exception, nothing very eventful is recorded in Major Acton's diary for this period. But the peacefulness of his domestic life was not to remain undisturbed, and on June 16th he received orders that he was to embark with his regiment for India in October. During the remaining interval he with his wife paid a visit to his mother and his sister Janet at Westaston. Five happy weeks were spent in the old family place, and then came the leave-taking, all the more sad because of the painful uncertainty of the future.
The following weeks were so occupied with the preparations for the voyage that there was happily little time for dwelling upon the more trying parting to come. Concerning it the Major leaves no record, and his silence more eloquent than any words can only be regarded with the deepest respect.
On other matters the diary gives a vivid impression of the last hours on shore, and the chapter may well be closed with one or two extracts :
Embarcation for India
'Fermoy,
14th October.
'Walk to station to see where troops will go, and how many in a carriage. Don't get much by that. Then home; numbers of people call. After dinner write cheques and letters till 11 p.m. things that I should have done long since! Then to pack bag, which isn't half big enough ! Make with great toil an ugly bundle, to be completed in the morning. To bed I a.m. This dilatoriness is very bad.
'15th. Sad morning. Up at 5 a.m.; fasten bag with difficulty. Hurried breakfast and off to parade wettish morning. When I arrive at station find the Colonel with the first division still there, and we have to remain in the rain. After an hour or so we get into our carriages anyhow but fairly well. Leave at 8.25.
'Arrive on board (at Queenstown [Cobh, harbour of Cork]) about 2 p.m.; very quietly settle down, I, Farrington, and Major Griffin, R.A., in one small cabin great crush. Tom [Charles' elder brother, owner of Westaston/Kilmacurragh] comes on board about 3.30 with
Snider rifle, books, etc so kind of him. He dines with us, and enjoys it.
'It is said we must land the women not on the strength seventeen of them. This makes me very sad, and I pray earnestly and trust faithfully that they may be left, though it seems hopeless.
'16th. A telegram in the night says people may go out in ship! Thank God!
'After breakfast Tom comes on board, bringing me knives of all sorts. How kind he is!
'At 1 p.m. visitors leave for shore, and we start soon after a fine, bright day with a northerly breeze.'
Next chapter.
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