Although not a Carluke native by birth, the district is proud to lay claim to Dixon Vallance, a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo, fought in 1815.
The son of William Vallance and his wife Janet Weir, Dixon was born at Greenshields in the parish of Libberton on 25th September 1792.
Initially learning the trade of wright, Dixon gave up this occupation in the summer of 1813 to enlist in the 79th Regiment of Foot, also known as The Cameron Highlanders. The Regimental Registers of Service from this year describe him as being 5feet 9inches tall with hazel eyes and red hair, quite an impressive figure.
Two years later, in June 1815, Dixon was one of those who took part in the final battles of the Napoleonic Wars at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. He was a member of Captain James Campbell’s No 6 Company.
The following extract from Dixon’s obituary in ‘The Hamilton Advertiser’ of 4th November 1876 describes his experiences in those battles.
‘The 79th belonged to General Picton’s division, and was among the first of the British Regiments that engaged the French at Quatre-Bras. Soon after he entered the field, his canteen that hung by his side was struck and smashed to pieces by a cannon ball, which killed a man behind him. The commanding officer then gave the command, “Load, fire and charge!”. No sooner said than done. Many were killed or wounded while those who were able fled from the point of the 79’s bayonets. As the regiment charged, they gave three Highland hurrahs and put the enemy to flight, yelling the most opprobrious epithets against the men without breeches. On returning from the charge at the station of the regiment in a field of rye, two men that stood next to him in the ranks fell, one on his right hand and the other on his left, and, at the same time, a musket ball struck the camp kettle which he carried on top of his knapsack. While lying according to orders in the field of rye, the man who was next to him was killed by a musket ball, which struck him in the crown of his head. Another musket ball went through his camp kettle and lodged in his knapsack. His face, hands, clothes and belts were splattered with the blood of his killed and wounded companions. Several bullets went through his clothes and cut his belts. Vallance was one of the men who were on guard in the field of Quatre-Bras on the night of the 16th June. The guns and cannons were silent but the cries and groans of the wounded and dying were heard all over the bloody field. On the morning of the 17th, the regiment got a good allowance of rum. Vallance was one of the party that went for the allowance of beef. On the returning, they saw among the slain great members of the French Cuirassiers who had been shot down by the 42nd Regiment. A number of them were stripped to examine with what force British bullets had pierced their iron jackets. It was found the bullets were lodged deep in their bodies. A few of the best cuirasses ( metal armour ) were selected and used as pans for frying their messes of beef for breakfast. ….
At ten o’clock on the morning of the 17th, the 79th left the field of Quatre-Bras for Waterloo. While on the march, the wind and rain and loud thunder continued to rage. The regiment was stationed in a field of rye, and exposed all night to the fury of the storm without any shelter. Though dark and cloudy, the rain had ceased on the morning of the 18th and the men lost no time in getting everything prepared for their Sunday’s work – for the battle of Waterloo was fought on a Sunday. Vallance was again in the conflict. Several balls went through his clothes and also through the feather bonnet on his head. The balls of the French cannon falling thick amongst the regiment, it was ordered to lie down. While prostrate, a cannon ball heaved up the earth under his head, and, a little after, another struck the ground a few inches from his feet. Very soon after he had shifted his position from the line of the cannon, another ball sunk deep in the spot where he lay only a few moments before. He was engaged in the charge, which Sir Thomas Picton led and in which he fell. Once and again was his division formed into square to receive the enemy’s cavalry, many touching incidents connected with which he told with thrilling interest. Soon after the Prussians came on to the field, Vallance received a wound which tore out his right eye and fractured his cheek bone, which prevented him from pursuing the retreating foe. His wound was so severe as to compel him to lie on the field all night among his wounded companions.’
Dixon’s wounds led to him being hospitalised for a long time and, the following spring, he was discharged on a pension of 9d per day. This was increased to 1s per day in 1844 and 1s 6d in 1874. That same year, a donation of £50 from an available fund was procured for him by James Gilchrist Esq of Gilfoot and Falla, and Sir Windham C Anstruther, Bart, MP.
Dixon departed the world, aged 84 years, on 29th October 1876 in his home in Chapel Street, Carluke. Three days later, his family laid him to rest alongside his wife Elizabeth in Carluke Cemetery.
Much has been written about Dixon Vallance and his experiences at Quatre-Bras and Waterloo. He has even been depicted in a BBC documentary produced to mark the 200th anniversary of Waterloo in 2015. Among all these accounts, however, perhaps the most significant is that written by Dixon himself. Although too long to upload to our website, CPHS does hold a copy in our archive.
Please keep checking back to the website for the next stage in Dixon’s life – his role as an inventor.
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