Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Packington Joseph Vallence, Pack as he was known, was born on 20th January 1876 at Bacchus Marsh VIC to his parents James and Margaret Vallance.  Pack had 2 older brothers and sisters…Honora, Katherine, James and George and 2 younger brothers and 1 younger sister…Henry, Francis and Mary.  He was educated at Bacchus Marsh State School and went on to become an orchardist and a hotelier.

His military career began at school with him being one of the first members of the Junior Cadets for 3 years.  He was a member of the Bacchus Marsh Rifle Club and went on to become a member of the Victorian Mounted Rifles (VMR) when the Bacchus Marsh Mounted Rifles A Company was formed in 1896.  The Mounted Rifles was made up of volunteers who supplied their own mounts.  In 1897 Australia sent 275 men from the 5 Australian Colonies to England to participate in Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebrations on 22nd June 1897.  Pack was one of the 4 men chosen from the Bacchus Marsh Mounted Rifles which was part of the 52 strong Victorian Contingent.  He embarked from Melbourne on 24th April 1897 on RMS Orotava.  He arrived back in Melbourne on 1st September 1987 on RMS Oroya. 

In 1899, Pack aged 22, enlisted for the Boer War with the 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry (1st VMI) which was part of the 1st Victorian Contingent and consisted of 12 Officers and 240 other ranks.  His rank was Private and his service number was 45.  He embarked from Melbourne on SS Medic on 28th October 1899 and disembarked at Cape Town South Africa on 26th November 1899.  That same day the 1st Australian Regiment was formed from all the companies sent from Australia.  The Regiment proceeded to Maitland Camp for 4 days before entraining to the military camp at De Aar.  They then proceeded to Orange River Station and a week later proceeded to Belmont and then to Enslin on 10th December 1899.  The Regiment proceeded to Naauwpoort in late January and then to Rensburg in early February where they received their mounts. 

On 10th February 1900 they were involved in action at Basternek Farm, also known as Hobkirk’s Farm, at Colesburg then 2 days later they were involved in heavy action at Pink Hill.  The Regiment then retired for a rest to Arundel where they were visited by Lord Kitchener on 19th-20th February 1900.  During his visit the Boers attacked the camp but were defeated. 

In early March 1900 the Regiment proceeded to Norvals Pont and then crossed into Orange Free State arriving at Bloemfontein on 5th April 1900.  The next day the Regiment was disbanded and the new Colonial Division was formed called 1st Mounted Infantry Brigade.  The 1st Victorian Contingent was absorbed into the 4th Mounted Infantry Corps which took part in operations at Bloemfontein, Komatipoort, Brandfort, Klip River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill and Belfast.  Pack was invalided to Australia and arrived in Melbourne on SS Coogee on 17th November 1900. 

In 1906 Pack married Katherine Maloney who was a tireless worker and President of the Red Cross.  They settled in Bacchus Marsh and were involved in the community with the Red Cross, Australian Natives Association, fire brigade and high school council. 

In 1912 Pack received the Volunteer Officers’ Decoration for long service in the military.  In 1913 he was instrumental in forming a Bacchus Marsh Light Horse Troop.  He joined the Victorian Mounted Rifles and rose to 2nd Lieutenant with the 29th Light Horse Regiment.

On 23rd April 1915, Pack aged 39, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Australian Imperial Force and assigned to the 4th Light Horse Regiment, 6th Reinforcement.  He proceeded to Seymour Camp then embarked from Sydney on HMAT Ceramic on 25th June 1915.  He disembarked at Suez on 23rd July 1915.  On 24th October 1915 he joined the Regiment at Leane’s Trench at Gallipoli and was posted to B Squadron.  His time at Gallipoli ended when he embarked on HMT Princess Ena on 11th December 1915.  He disembarked at Lemnos Island the next day and proceeded to Sarpi Camp.  He remained there till proceeding to Alexandria on HMT Caledonia disembarking there on 27th December 1915.  He then proceeded to Heliopolis Camp. 

Pack was promoted to Lieutenant on 28th January 1916 and embarked for France on HMT Cestrian on 21st March 1916.  He transferred to the ANZAC Light Horse Regiment on 9th May 1916 and 4 days later was posted to 1st ANZAC Mounted Regiment.  On 7th July 1916 he transferred to 2nd ANZAC Mounted Regiment then in late September was detached for duty to CRE (Commanding Royal Engineers) at Armentieres.  He re-joined his unit in early December 1916. 

In April 1917 Pack was detached for duty for 6 days to the New Zealand Division then in early May he was detached to the School of Instruction at Abbeville for 3 weeks, rejoining his unit in late May 1917.  In June 1917 he was detached for duty to Salvage Party with the 25th Division and then to the Anti-Aircraft Section with 2nd ANZAC Headquarters.  He re-joined his unit in late August 1917 then was twice more detached for duty to the Anti-Aircraft Section in October and November.  He re-joined his unit in early December 1917.

In late February 1918 Pack was detached for duty to Anti-Aircraft Section 22nd Corps Cavalry Mounted Regiment for 5 days then was seconded from France for duty to the Light Horse Training Depot at Tidworth UK, based at Candahar Barracks.  In late March 1918 he was admitted to Delhi Military Hospital at Tidworth with influenza and discharged 6 days later.  On 20th October 1918 Pack proceeded to France where he joined the 22nd Corps Cavalry Mounted Regiment.  He remained with them until 4th December 1918 when he transferred to the 13th Light Horse Regiment. 

On 13th April 1919 Pack proceeded to the Australian General Base Depot at Le Havre for demobilization.  He proceeded to England where he embarked from Devonport on 4th June 1919 on HMT Mahia.  He disembarked in Melbourne VIC on 17th July 1919 and his appointment was terminated on 15th September 1919. 

Sadly, after 4 years abroad, his reunion with his wife Katherine was only to last 3 months as she died on Boxing Day 1919.  They had no children so Pack threw himself back into community service.  He became President of the RSSILA (Returned Soldiers & Sailors Imperial League of Australia) and also President of the Bacchus Marsh Australian Natives Association. 

Pack was promoted to Captain on 1st November 1920 with the 29th Light Horse Regiment then transferred to the 19th Light Horse Regiment in late March 1921.  In early 1926 he was granted a year extension on retirement from the military but sadly, he died on 2nd December 1926 at Caulfield Military Hospital, Melbourne, aged 49.  He was buried at Maddingley General Cemetery with his wife Katherine. 

After Pack’s death the Bacchus Marsh Express newspaper printed the following tribute: “The members of the Bacchus Marsh RSL desire to record their deep sorrow at the early death of their late comrade, Captain Packington J. Vallence, and their admiration for his public spirit, his long and loyal service as a soldier, his intense patriotism, his sincere and unselfish comradeship. Never was there a better friend or a truer soldier. The heartfelt sympathy of the members is extended to his brothers and friends in their great sorrow.”                                             

Pack is commemorated on the Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, Bacchus Marsh Shire Honour Roll WW1, Bacchus Marsh & Melton Honour Roll WW1 and the Australian Natives Association Honour Roll WW1.     

Packington Joseph Vallence was awarded for service in the Boer War the Queen’s South Africa Medal and for service in WW1 the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Anzac Commemorative Medallion.   

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 12th June 2023.

Sources

http://www.bacchusmarsh.avenueofhonour.org.au/people.php?personId=_28927800&submit=display&menu=20

https://meltonmoorabool.starweekly.com.au/classifieds/1800448-ww1-centenary-maddingleys-light-horse-hero/