Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

James Anthony Packer was born at Studholme Junction on 14 March 1894, the seventh son of Worthy Packer and his wife Ann (Annie, Anna) née O'Halloran. He was baptised Roman Catholic on 8 April 1894 at Waimate (Jacobus Alphonsus). Worthy Packer, who had emigrated from England in 1861-62, was already in the Waitaki district in 1876 when he subscribed in Aid of the Establishment of a Celtic Chair in connection with the Edinburgh University. Worthy and Ann married on 16 October 1879 at St Patrick’s Church, Waimate and had eight sons and three daughters, three sons dying in infancy including the youngest Arthur at 5 weeks. In 1893 Mr W. Packer recommended to the Board of Education that Hannaton School be erected at the Junction as the Hannaton children would not have far to go. “They would buy and give an acre at Studholme for a site.” Prior to this the Packer children attended Waimate District High School. Hannaton School opened in 1894, Worthy Packer (junior) the first pupil enrolled. In 1896 W. Packer was chairman of the school committee. Worthy Packer, senior, farmed at Studholme Junction. On 12 April 1901 his freehold farm which included a substantial 5-roomed dwelling house, stable, piggery, two good wells, orchard and garden, went to auction. “This choice Property is situated within three minutes walk of Studholme Junction Railway Station, is adjacent to the saleyards and handy to a public s…. The land having been carefully farmed by Mr Packer, is in the best of heart, and this Sale presents an opportunity which rarely occurs.” Worthy Packer - a well and long known resident of the Studholme district - died on 16 July 1901 and was buried at Waimate. Mrs Anna Packer died on 4 June 1915 at Studholme Junction and was buried with her son Thomas at Waimate. Mrs Packer hailed from County Galway, Ireland, and at her death was “one of the oldest and most respected residents of the district (Studholme Junction), she and her husband being among the first to settle at Studholme Junction, in 1881.” In May 1890, national newspapers carried a Missing Friends notice — “The following list of missing friends is from Lloyd’s Weekly of April 6th: . . . . . Worthy Packer (native of Somerset) went to New Zealand. 23 years ago. Sisters ask. . . . . .”

James was educated at Hannaton School, where he was awarded the prize for first place in Standard VI boys. Before presenting the prizes, the chairman “advised those boys and girls who were leaving school to continue their study by reading good literature. . . . .” The prize books “were carefully selected with regard to the nature of the literature . . . . .” When the Timaru City Rifles and the Temuka Rifles fired in a match on 24 January 1907, Corporal J. Packer represented the Timaru City Rifles. In July he passed the examination for a non-commissioned officer’s certificate. (Was this James Packer of John Henry Packer?) J. Packer of the second South Canterbury Regiment was appointed Lance-Corporal from 10 November 1913.

James Packer was medically examined on 5 October 1916 at Waimate. He stood at 5 feet 11 inches, weighed 12 stone 10 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 33-38½ inches. His complexion was medium, his eyes blue-grey, and his hair medium brown. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed, and his teeth good. No illnesses. He was free from diseases, was vaccinated and was in good bodily and mental health. The registration of James Packer, ploughman, Studholme Junction, was recorded at the Timaru Defence Office on 16 October 1916. He then enlisted on 1 November 1916 at Waimate. A ploughman at Raincliff, Pleasant Point, single and Roman Catholic, he named his youngest sister as next-of-kin – Mrs P. Greene, Studholme Junction, South Canterbury. Annie Elizabeth Packer had married Patrick Greene in 1915. He was serving with the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment. South Canterbury’s quota for the 23rd Reinforcements left Timaru for camp on 15 November 1916. Before leaving, the men were entertained at luncheon in Stafford Tea Rooms by the Ladies’ Committee of the War Relief Society at 12.30 p.m. They then paraded at the Drill Shed at 3 p.m., and were addressed by the Mayor (Mr E. R. Guinness), Mr J. Craigie, M.P., and the Rev. J. H. Rodgers. The 2ndy (S.C.) Regimental Band was in attendance and the Honorary Territorials paraded at Strathallan Street crossing, at 3.30 p.m. in order to take part in the farewell. In the quota was J. Packer.

On 5 January 1917, J. Packer and six comrades were farewelled at the Waimate railway, station. The men were marched from the Drill Hall along John street to the station, where they were addressed by Councillor E. J. Atwill and Rev. Stockwell. As. the train moved out three cheers were given for the men and more cheers for their parents. Later in the day, the 24th Reinforcements from the Timaru district left for Trentham by the second express. Before leaving, the men were entertained as usual by the ladies of the Patriotic War Relief Society, in Miss Read’s Stafford Tea Rooms, at 12.30. The 2nd (S.C.) Regimental Band was in attendance, and Senior Cadets formed a cordon at the Strathallan Street crossing. Among those leaving was J. Packer.

Posted to the 24th Reinforcements on 5 January 1917, James was transferred to the 23rd Reinforcements on 20 February. Private J. Packer embarked with the Canterbury Infantry Regiment of the 23rd Reinforcements, leaving Wellington for Plymouth, England, per the “Corinthic” on 2 April 1917. Admitted to the Ship’s Hospital on 7 May while at sea, suffering from pharyngitis, he was discharged two days later. It was at Devonport that he disembarked on 10 June 1917 then marched into Sling. He left for France on 6 July and marched into camp before joining his Battalion on 24 July. After being attached to the New Zealand Reinforcement Camp at the end of September, he rejoined his Unit on 25 October. He was attached to the New Zealand Reinforcements Camp again on 8 February 1918.

James Packer (Canterbury Infantry) was wounded – gassed and shell wound – in the Field in France on 18 February 1918 and admitted to hospital on 19 February. He embarked for England per the “Princess Elizabeth” on 25 February and was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst. On 20 March he was transferred to the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch. Discharged from Hornchurch on 6 May he reported to Codford two weeks later. Having marched in to Sling on 7 October 1918, he left for France again on 10 October, was attached to Strength and rejoined his Battalion in the Field. On 24 February 1919 he marched into Sutton Coldfield from France and into Sling on 29 April. J. Packer, 44012, of Studholme Junction, returned to New Zealand for demobilization, one of 1128 soldiers aboard the “Maunganui”, leaving from Liverpool on 17 May 1919 and arriving at Wellington on 24 June 1919. He was discharged on 21 July 1919 after more than two years of service overseas and on the termination of his period of engagement. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The name of J. Parker appeared regularly on the Waimate Daily Advertiser Roll of Honour under the sub-title of Answered the Call.

On 1 June 1920, a land ballot was held at Timaru, for soldier settlement at Bankfield, St Andrews. James Alphonsus Packer, Morven, was successful in drawing Section 3 (164½ acres), for which there 92 applicants. And so, he took up farming at St Andrews. James Packer married Hannah O’Connor on 15 April 1925 at St Patrick’s Church, Waimate. James and Hannah made their home at “Bankfield”, St Andrews. The only child of James and Hannah, Mary Lavinia Packer, was born in 1926. 100 sacks, valued at £3/15/-, the property of James Packer, were stolen at St Andrews on 29 April 1929. At the annual meeting of the St Andrews Branch of the New Zealand Crown Tenants’ Association held in August 1937, J. Packer was elected to the committee.

James Anthony Packer, of Esk Valley, St Andrews, died on 18 April 1939 at Timaru Public Hospital, aged just 45 years, and, following a Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church, was buried at Waimate Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and their only child, 12-year-old daughter Mary. Mrs J. Packer and family thanked friends and relations for kind expressions and floral tributes in their sad bereavement, and also the doctors and nurses of the Timaru Public Hospital for their untiring attention. Mary started her education at Esk Valley School, where she received a prize in her first year, and transferred maybe to the Waimate Convent School in mid-1939 or Waikakahi. She sang at the school concert from a very young age. From 1940 Mary Lavinia Packer boarded at the Sacred Girls’ College at Timaru, which was then conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. She herself entered the Mercy Sisters religious order.

The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand Limited held a successful clearing sale on behalf of the trustees in the estate of the late Jas. Packer, Esk Valley, in June 1939. “The stock and implements were in excellent order and the attendance was particularly good.” Good prices were realised. At the annual meeting of the St Andrews sub-branch of the R.S.S. in late July 1939, the president referred to the death of Mr J. Packer and members stood in silence as a mark of sympathy. On 26 June 1918, 44012 Private James Packer, 2nd Canterbury Battalion, had declared that he had previously made a Will which was deposited with the Public Trustee, Wellington. At death, however, he was intestate. Not only had James not made a Will, also he had no banking account. Letters of administration in the estate of James Alphonsus Packer, farmer, late of St Andrews, were granted to his widow, Hannah Packer, of Waikakahi, in October 1939. In September 1940 she furnished a full account and inventory. One share of the balance after payment of debts and expenses was to be for herself and two thirds in trust “for infant beneficiary”. Hannah Packer moved to Waikakahi after James’s death, probably to be nearer to her own family. She was later at Taradale for a few years before returning to Waimate. She died on 15 September 1984 at the Home of Compassion, Timaru, and was buried at Waimate with James. Her brother Father Cornelius O’Connor (Con) died the day before at the Home of Compassion, Silverstream, Wellington. Sister Mary Packer and the Packer and O’Connor families thanked all for their kind expressions of sympathy, cards, letters, telegrams, Mass cards and baking, and also the Sisters of Compassion. Sister Mary Packer who taught at schools in many parts of the country, lived back in Timaru in retirement and died there on 8 July 2015.

The name of J. Packer is inscribed on the Willowbridge and Studholme District First World War Roll of Honour. Joseph Peter Packer, an older brother of James, was appealed for in January 1917 at Greymouth. He was a fireman with the railway and had been called up in November 1916. Worthy Edward Packer, an older brother of James, was called up from the Reservists in May 1918, He was a police constable, married and living in Christchurch. His appeal was adjourned sine die. Several nephews and one niece of James Packer served in World War Two – Alfred Vernon Brown, Louis Packer Brown and James Brown (sons of his sister Jane Veronica Packer); Trenna Mary Packer (WAAC), William John Packer and Patrick James Packer (daughter and sons of his brother Worthy Edward Packer); Martin Joseph Leonard (son of his sister Catherine Cecilia Packer); and Kevin William Greene (son of his sister Annie Elizabeth Packer). His brother-in-law, Michael Martin Leonard also enlisted for World War One.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [15 July 2015]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5549 0089376) [15 July 2015]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [15 July 2015]; Waimate Cemetery headstone transcription (South Canterbury Branch NZSG records) [16 July 2015]; Waimate Cemetery headstone image & burial records (Waimate District Council) [27 February 2024]; Timaru Herald, 19 April 1939 (Timaru District Library) [17 July 2015]; North Otago Times, 29 February 1876, 7 March 1918, NZ Times, 21 May 1890, South Canterbury Times, 2 March 1893, 29 April 1896, Timaru Herald, 10 April 1901, 24 January 1907, 18 July 1907, 20 January 1909, 21 January 1911, 21 November 1913, 17 October 1916, 15 November 1916, 5 January 1917, 6 March 1918, 2 June 1920, 9 & 13 May 1925, 6 May 1929, 11 August 1937, 27 April 1939, 10 June 1939, 1 August 1939, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 30 December 1908, 5 June 1915, 10 January 1917, 21 February 1917, 20 December 1917, 30 May 1918, 7 November 1918, 2 June 1920, NZ Tablet, 10 June 1915, Greymouth Evening Star, 25 November 1916, Oamaru Mail, 6 January 1917, Grey River Argus, 16 January 1917, Otago Daily Times, 6 March 1918, Star, 21 May 1918, NZ Times, 14 June 1919, Temuka Leader, 3 June 1920, Press, 19 April 1939, 17 September 1984, 24 October 1984 (Papers Past) [13 & 14 November 2015; 02 December 2017; 18 September 2019; 03 March 2021; July 2021; 20 January 2023; 27 February 2024]; Probate record (Archives NZ/Family Search) [28 February 2024]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [27 February 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• PACKER James - newspaper clippings (pdf, 132.5 KB updated 17-Mar-2024)

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