Maj.-Gen. Sir Denis Pack, KCB

He was the right hand of the Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley) at Waterloo in 1815

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Pack

Maj.-Gen. Sir Denis Pack was invested as a Knight Commander, Order of the Bath (K.C.B.). He received the thanks of Parliament five times for his military services.

Denis Pack joined the 14th Light Dragoons in Ireland, and after being cashiered for striking Captain Sir George Dunbar, he re-enlisted and had a meteoric rise through the ranks. In 1794, serving in Flanders, he carried a despatch into besieged Nieuwport, escaping by boat. He was made Lieutenant and, after action at Quiberon, his Dragoons defeated insurgents in Ireland. As a Captain commanding a troop he escorted the captured French General Humbert to Dublin. He was raised to Major of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoons in 1798, and two years later he became Lieutenant Colonel of the 71st Highland Light Infantry. In 1806, at the recapture of the Cape of Good Hope, he was wounded, and later suffered three wounds while fighting in South America. He was captured with General Beresford at Buenos Ayres but both escaped. Returning to Europe, he fought at Roleia and Vimiera and was with Sir John Moore in the rearguard action and evacuation from Corunna, Spain. He became ADC to the King. In 1810, following the Siege of Flushing, where he stormed and captured batteries held by a force five times his own, he served under Wellington in the Peninsular War against Napoleon's armies.

Around 1812, the Household Brigade, i.e. the 1st and 2nd Lifeguards and the Royal Horse Guards, also became involved in the Peninsular War. In March 1813, the Duke of Northumberland wrote from Alnwick Castle to Captain Robert Packe who was commanding a detachment of Royal Horse Guards at Thomar, and mentioned a squadron detached to Portugal. On 21st May 1813, he congratulated Major Packe in Lisbon on his promotion, saying he had hoped to recommend him for Lieutenant Colonel, but the regiment was only allowed two. In February 1814, Robert was awarded the Vittoria medal for gallantry during the battle, and Frederick, Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief, sent his and the Prince Regent's congratulations. Writing home about Spain, Robert said, 'French General Clausel at Vittoria suffered heavy losses with 1,500/2,000 killed and taken prisoner, our men enjoying immense plunder, doubloons, dollars, French crowns. This is not cavalry country. Our horses are in cantonments, two lost by a stable roof falling in and poison. I was left with only one horse in Salamanca. I met up with Henry [his brother Lt-Col Henry Packe of the 1st Guards] at Salvatierra on 25th June 1813 after the fight of the Brigade'. In August 1814, back at Windsor Barracks after crossing from Calais following Napoleon's defeat and exile to Elba, he wrote to his sister Maria: 'Wellington and York are coming to see the regiment and give us dinner. I am busy discharging men and casting horses, then returning to Prestwold. I am sending 2 hogsheads of wine from Bordeaux for father'.

Denis Pack, commanding Portuguese troops, had been occupied at Busaco and blowing up Almeida's defences. In 1812, now a Brigadier General, he helped to capture Ciudad Rodrigo, later distinguishing himself at Salamanca and Burgos. Promoted to Major General in 1813, he fought at Vittoria, led a Division in the Pyrennees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes and Toulouse, was wounded eight times, awarded the Peninsular Gold Star with seven clasps and was knighted. On Napoleon's escape from Elba, he took command of the Highland Brigade in Picton's Division. Accounts of a Brussels review describe 'fiery Sir Denis Pack' leading his kilted Highlanders, including the Royal Scots, the 42nd Royals and the 92nd Gordons, drawing cheers. He had a temper – a rhyme after his escape ran, 'The Devil break the gaoler's back that let thee loose sweet Denis Pack' – but he was very popular with his men, 'one of those who says "Come, my lads, and do this", and who goes before you to put his hand to the work'.

Both Robert Packe and Denis Pack were wounded opposing Napoleon's army at Quatre Bras outside Brussels on 16th June 1815.

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Inscription:

Near this place are interred the mortal remains of MAJOR GENERAL SIR DENIS PACK, Knight Commander of the Most Hon. Military Order of the Bath and of the Portuguese Military Order of the Tower and Sword, Knight of the Imperial Russian Order of Wladimer, and of the Imperial Austrian Order of Maria Theresa; Colonel of the 84th Reg't of Foot, and Lieutenant Governor of Plymouth; who terminated a life devoted to the service of his King and Country on the 24th Day of July 1823, aged forty eight years.

The name of this distinguished officer is associated with almost every brilliant achievement of the British Army during the eventful period of Continental warfare between the year 1791 in which he entered His Majesty's service, and the year 1823, in which he ended his honorable career. Throughout the campaigns in Flanders in 1794, and 1795, he served in the 14th Regiment of Light Dragoons; at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1806, and on the arduous and active campaign which immediately followed in South America, he commanded the 71st Regiment of Highlanders in a manner which reflected the highest credit on his military skill and valour. At the head of the same Corps in 1808, he acquired fresh reputation in the battles of Roleia and Vimiera; and in the following year in the battle of Corunna. In 1809 he accompanied the expedition to Walcheren, and signalized himself by his zeal and intrepidity at the siege of Flushing. He was subsequently engaged at the head either of a brigade, or of a division of the army in every general action and remarkable siege which took place during the successful war in the Peninsula under the conduct of the great Duke of Wellington. He finally commanded a bridgade in the action of Quatre Bras and again in the ever memorable and decisive battle of Waterloo. For these important services in which he was nine times severely wounded, he obtained at the recommendation of his illustrious chief from the foreign Potentates in alliance with Great Britain the honorable titles of distinction above mentioned, and from his own Sovereign, besides the Order of the Bath and a medal in commemoration of the battle of Waterloo, a gold cross with seven clasps, on which are inscribed the following names of the battles and sieges wherein he bore a conspicuous part viz. Roleia, Corunna, Busaco, Cuidad Roderigo, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse. Upon five different occasions he had also the honour to receive the thanks of both Houses of Parliament. On the 3d February 1813 for his conduct at Salamanca; on the 10th February 1813 for his conduct at Ciudad Roderigo; on the 8th November 1813 for his conduct at Vittoria; on the 24th March 1814 for his conduct at Orthes; on the 23d June 1815 for his conduct at Waterloo. Whilst these his merits as an officer ensure for him a place in the records of his grateful country amongst those heroes who have bravely fought her battles and advanced her military glory, his virtues as a man, which were securely founded upon Christian piety, are attested by the esteem of his companions in arms and by the love of all who were intimately connected with him.

This monument is erected by his widow, THE LADY ELIZABETH PACK, daughter of George de la Poer Marquess of Waterford, as a just tribute of respect to the memory of one of His Majesty's most deserving soldiers and subjects and in testimony of her own affection.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 4 2017, 0:31:16 UTC