Hon Chaplain the Rev. Walter Auchinleck Stack

 

 

Walter Auchinleck Stack was born at Lack, Ederney, County Fermanagh, on 29 March 1869, the fourth of five children of clergyman (later Bishop of Clogher) Charles Maurice Stack and his wife Margaret Jane (née Auchinleck).

Stack studied at Dublin University, taking his B.A. in 1890 and his M.A. three years later. He was ordained in 1892 in the diocese of Armagh, for the curacy of Drumkeeran, County Fermanagh, where he served until 1895, when he was installed as incumbent of Drumkeeran.

On 6 May 1897 he married Indian-born Henrietta D'Arcy, daughter of Major Francis D'Arcy, in Irvinestown Church of Ireland Church, County Fermanagh.

Stack was appointed Honorary Chaplain to the North of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry on 16 July 1904, continued in that role for the North Irish Horse from July 1908.

At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Tubrid, Drumrush, County Fermanagh, with Henrietta. Boarding with them was William Frederick Morris, a clerk in holy orders. Among their five servants was Johnston Armstrong, who would later serve in the North Irish Horse.

Stack continued as regimental chaplain until 1938 when North Irish Horse was temporarily wound-up.

He was appointed High Sheriff of County Fermanagh in 1936, and awarded an MBE in the 1937 Coronation Honours. The Belfast News-Letter of 11 May reported:

The Rev. Canon Walter A. Stack, M.A., of Muckross, Letter, County Fermanagh, who received the M.B.E., is the third son of the late Rt. Rev. C. M. Stack, D.D., Bishop of Clogher. He was ordained in 1892, and was rector of Drumkeeran and chaplain of Vaughan Charter School from 1895 until 1921, when he became rector of Muckross. In 1925 he became Prebendary of Tullycorbet. Canon Stack, who received the King's Jubilee Medal in 1935, was High Sheriff of Co. Fermanagh last year. He was an officer in the U.V.F., and has been a member of the Ulster Unionist Council since its formation. He is District Commandant of the Ulster Special Constabulary and Deputy Grand Chaplain of the Orange Society

Stack retired in 1944. He died on 16 December 1956 at St Ernan's , County Donegal, and was buried in the Cappagh graveyard, County Tyrone.

 

Belfast Telegraph, 11 January 1936

 

First image believed to be, though not confirmed as, Stack, with officers of the North of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry in 1904.

 

This page last updated 26 March 2024.