VALLINS Herbert MM

Herbert Vallins was born on 26th November 1880 at Halstead Kent England: He was the 5th of 6 children born to James Vallins and Jane Carter: He was Baptised on 23rd Jan 1881 in Halstead Parish Church:(see photo attached)
In 1901 age 20 he was living and working as a Grocers assistant in the home of a F.W.Richards. 265 Old Kent Road London England:
He emigrated to Australia on 13th Nov 1906 on the "SS Owestry Grange" returned to England on 16th May 1912 on the "Demosthenes" and went back to Australia on 7th Sep 1912 on the "SS Ballarat"
He enlisted in the Army on 12th Aug 1915, at the time of his enlistment his occupation was Farmer and he lived in the home of A.Bryant. Woodenbong Richmond River. N.S.W.
He embarked for Europe from Brisbane on 5th Oct 1915 on HMAT A69 "Warilda" He served in England France and Belgium: Promoted to Lance Corporal 20th July 1917:
Wounded in action 5th April 1918: Gun shot wound to Left Hand:
He was awarded the Military Medal for his part in the battle of "Dernancourt" France on 28th April to 8th May 1918: ( see Australia Gazette No185 Page 2263 27th Nov 1918) and (two photo's attached) Plus photo of Military Medal Citation:
He returned to Australia on 12th December 1918 on HMAT "Nestor"
Disembarked on 1st February 1919: He was discharged as medically unfit on 19th April 1919:
After his discharge he was granted land under the soldier settlement scheme: He was granted portion 377 on Farm No 9159 in Mooloolah Queensland: I assume that he farmed the land for 19 years as he appears in the Queensland Electoral Rolls in Wide Bay District Landsborough Sub District in 1922/25/36 and 1937:, The land was advertised to be sold by public auction on Saturday 12th March 1938:
See photo of Sale advert: The Nambour Chronicle reported in its edition on Friday May 6th 1938 that the farm was bought by a Mr. G. Adams:
He must have moved to Roma some time between 1938 and 1945, as he was living in Roma when he died on the 30th April 1945 age 64: He was living in Gunns boarding house Wyndham Street Roma at the time: He also appears in the Electoral Rolls for 1943 in Maranoa District Roma Sub District:
He was buried on 1st May 1945 in Roma Cemetery Grave No 3416 Row 38:
For 68 years he was in a unmarked grave until the Vallins family found him in 2012 whilst researching their family history:
Some of his Great Nephews and Great Niece agreed to purchase a marker, and with the assistance of Roma fhs, who arranged the local stonemason, a marker was finally dedicated and placed on his grave on 13th April 2013: ( see photo attached) A fitting tribute to Herbert who fought for his adopted country:

• Belgium
• Dernancourt

Roll of Honour: Queenslander Newspaper May 11th 1918 wounded in action: Headstone at Roma Cemetery: Roma Queensland:

Ancestry UK: Australian Gazette 27th November 1918: Birth Certificate: Electoral Rolls Queensland: Free: BMD (UK) Family Relatives: Family Search 1881 UK Census: Genes Reunited UK: Parish registers (Maidstone Kent England) Roma family history society: Queensland BMD: (for death cert) Queenslander Newspaper May 11th 1918: UK Census 1891 and 1901:

Acknowledgements:
Photo of Herbert Vallins courtesy of State Library of Queensland:
Photo of Grave Headstone & Plaque: Courtesy of Margaret Waddell-Wood: Roma family history society:
2 Photo's of Dernancourt supplied by John Vallins:
Halstead Parish Church: by Ray Vallins: