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Dance, John Robert

John Robert Dance
1914 Star
1914 Star + clasp
Victory Medal
Victory Medal
British War Medal
British War Medal
Private John Robert Dance (8247)
Died of Wounds on Monday 16th November 1914
First Battle of Ypres, aged 25
 
Son of George & Mary Ann Dance of 86, Wescott Rd., Wokingham, Berks.
Father's occupation: Carter on Farm
Born 16th August 1889 at Hurst
1 sister, 6 brothers, position in family: 5
Relatives: Brother of William Dance
 
Infant School:Hurst Infants
Senior School:Hurst Boys
Admitted:3rd May 1897
Age on admission:7
 
Local address: Happy Lands, Hurst
 
Enlisted:Reading, Before 04/08/1914
Regiment:Royal Berkshire Regiment
Battalion:1st Bn.
Brigade:6th
Division:2nd
Went overseas:Saturday 12th September 1914
 
Died:Monday 16th November 1914
Cause:Died of Wounds
Age:25
Action:First Battle of Ypres
Battalion at:Hooge
Commemorated:Grave at Railway Chateau Cemetery, Ypres
 
Thursday 12th November 1914
Belgium, Westhoek
 
About 6.30 p.m. the French on left of the Staffords retired and about 500 Germans crossed the ZONNEBEKE - BECELARE road, within 600 yards of our Battalion HQ. Most of the enemy withdrew East of road, but about 150 remained in old trenches just West of road. Thus Staffords left was dangerously exposed and so at 12 p.m. on 12/13 it was decided to retire to line of road. The Battalion was allotted line from 5th kilometre stone to 60th Rifles on right, and one Company (D) was left out in redoubt in wood East of road. C Company in reserve. The withdrawal was carried out without a hitch at 3a.m. on 13th.
 
Friday 13th November 1914
Belgium, Westhoek
 
An incessant shower of rain and shell all day. D Company were driven out of forward position about 1p.m. and withdrew back into reserve with few casualties. Enemy reported to be massing in front of right (B) Company were heavily shelled by our guns. Enemy dug new line of trenches about 100 yards to our front, but otherwise showed little activity. They did not discover we had vacated forward position till between 8a.m. and 9 a.m.
 
Saturday 14th November 1914
Belgium, Westhoek
 
Trenches heavily shelled. Cold wet day. 2/Lt Grigson Ellis arrived with 5th reinforcement of 250 men.
 
Sunday 15th November 1914
Belgium, Westhoek
 
Again much cold, rain and shellfire. At 9 p.m. we were relieved by the 169th Regiment of the French 9th Division, and marched to Hooge in Divisional Reserve. The whole 6th Brigade was relieved. Relief carried out without any unusual occurrence.
 
Monday 16th November 1914
Belgium, Hooge
 
3 Companies remained in dugouts in wood, one Company in farm, all day. Very wet. Left at 9 p.m. and marched into billets at YPRES. The town was being continuously shelled.

John now rests in the Railway Chateau Cemetery at Ypres.

 

John Dance at Railway Chateau Cemetery, Ypres
Railway Chateau Cemetery, Ypres
 

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in morning
We will remember them.
Lawrence Binyon