Denis Pack facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Denis Pack KCB
Sir Denis Pack
Born	7 October 1775
Died	24 July 1823 Wimpole Street, London
Buried	St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1791–1823
Rank	Major-General
Commands held	71st Regiment of Foot 1st Portuguese Brigade, Anglo-Portuguese Army 1st (Highland) Brigade, 6th Division 6th Division Kent District, Home Staff 9th Brigade, 5th Division 4th Brigade, Army of Occupation of France Western District
Battles/wars	French Revolutionary Wars Flanders Campaign 1795 Invasion of France Irish Rebellion of 1798 Napoleonic Wars Battle of Blaauwberg British invasions of the River Plate Battle of Roliça Battle of Vimeiro Battle of Corunna Walcheren Expedition Battle of Bussaco Blockade of Almeida Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo Battle of Salamanca Siege of Burgos Battle of Vitoria Battle of Tolosa Battle of Sorauren Battle of Nivelle Battle of the Nive Battle of Orthes Battle of Toulouse Hundred Days Battle of Quatre Bras Battle of Waterloo
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Knight Commander of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword Knight of the Military Order of Maria Theresa Order of Saint Vladimir, Second Class Army Gold Cross with 7 clasps Waterloo Medal
Other work	Lieutenant-Governor of Plymouth

Major-General Sir Denis Pack (1775–1823) was an important Anglo-Irish military officer. He served during the Napoleonic Wars, which were a series of major conflicts in Europe. He is remembered for his bravery and leadership in many battles.

Who Was Sir Denis Pack?

Sir Denis Pack was born on October 7, 1775. His family came from Sir Christopher Packe. Denis's father was Thomas Pack, who was a church leader in Ireland. His mother was Catherine Sullivan.

Sir Denis Pack passed away on July 24, 1823, in London. He was buried in St Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny, Ireland. You can still visit his tomb there today.

Sir Denis Pack's Military Adventures

Sir Denis Pack had a long and exciting military career. He started serving in the army in 1791.

Early Battles

He first saw action in Flanders in 1794. This was part of the French Revolutionary Wars. He also took part in an expedition to Quiberon in France in 1795. Later, he helped stop the Irish Rebellion of 1798 in Ireland.

Fighting in South Africa and South America

In 1806, Pack commanded the 71st Foot regiment. They helped capture the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

Later that year, his regiment joined General William Beresford. They led the first British invasion of Buenos Aires in South America. Pack's regiment made up more than half of the invading troops. They took over Buenos Aires without much trouble at first.

However, the people of Buenos Aires fought back. In August 1806, Santiago de Liniers led a successful effort to take the city back. Pack and his troops were captured. They became prisoners.

General Beresford and Colonel Pack were held in Villa of Luján. But they managed to escape to Montevideo with help from local people.

A Broken Promise

Once in Montevideo, Pack joined General Robert Craufurd for a second invasion of Buenos Aires. This was surprising because Pack had promised he would never fight against Spain again.

Pack broke his promise. He helped take over Colonia del Sacramento. He also fought in the battle of Corrales de Miserere. During the attack on Buenos Aires, he and his men occupied the Church of Santo Domingo. The local fighters were very strong. Pack's forces were surrounded and he had to surrender again.

The people of Buenos Aires were very angry with Pack for breaking his promise. But some Dominican friars protected him. He was later handed over to General John Whitelocke when the British army retreated.

The Peninsular War

After his adventures in South America, Sir Denis Pack fought in the Peninsular War in Europe. This war lasted from 1808 to 1814. He was involved in many important battles, including:

• Roliça
• Vimiero
• A Coruña
• Bussaco
• Ciudad Rodrigo
• Salamanca
• Vitoria
• the Pyrenees
• Nivelle
• Nive
• Orthez
• Toulouse

He received many awards for his bravery during these battles.

Waterloo and Later Life

In 1813, Pack was promoted to Major-General. He commanded a Portuguese army brigade in Spain. In 1815, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. This is a very high honor.

He then commanded the 9th Brigade at the famous Battle of Waterloo. This was a huge battle where Napoleon was finally defeated.

After the wars, Sir Denis Pack continued to serve. In 1819, he became the Lieutenant-Governor of Plymouth. He was also the General Officer Commanding the Western District.

Sir Denis Pack's wife, Elizabeth Louisa Pack, later married his friend and fellow officer, Lt Gen Thomas Reynell.

Images for kids

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  Tomb of Sir Denis Pack, Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny