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L/Cpl. Charles Dance
British Army 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry
from:24 Faunce Street. Kennington Park. London
(d.21st March 1918)
My Great great Grandfather, Charles Dance served in the British Armed Forces part of the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, enlisting on the 13th of June 1916. He died on the 21st March 1918 at Morchies, France. He was born on the 2nd November 1883 and died 21st March 1918 Age 34. He is buried in Vaulx Hill Cemetery, France.
Eye Witnesses to death include: Pte. Hammond. 204786. 2 D.L.I. I saw Dance killed on fire-step with a piece of shrapnel - at Morchies - I was standing by him - March 21 - 9.30 a.m We lost the trench and I was captured 1 1/2 hours later - near Bapaume.
David McCulloch. 9901. 2. D.L.I I saw him hit in the breast by shrapnel March 21st. at Morchies. We were captured then. He was an artist and came from London.
Pte. John. Tennant. 301797. 2 D.L.I I saw him killed by shrapnel in the back - carried his body on one side; on March 21/18
(Pte. John. Tennant. 301797. 2 D.L.I. letter to my Great great Grandmother Louisa Maud Dance): "On the 21st March we were in the front line trench when the Germans made an attack after a heavy bombardment in which your husband was struck by a piece of shrapnel in the back which killed him instantly. I then laid him on the side of the trench along with our other dead comrades. Soon after the Germans occupied the trench and I was taken away prisoner. I have seen the Germans bury English dead just the same as their own in a very acceptable manner. I should like a photo of your husband very much. I and he were very good friends".
L/Cpl. John Gibson. 45159. 2 D.L.I I knew Dance from October 1917 to March 1918. I was wounded on 21.3.18. and whilst in the dressing station I met Pte. William Gore. 2 D.L.I. (formerly a bandsman in the West Ridings) who was also wounded, and who told me he had seen Dance killed. I do not know Gore's number. He came to a hospital in Norwich, and would be able to give all information about Dance.
Pte. P. Wright. 36673. 2 D.L.I We were at Morchies on 21st March and I was in the same post as Dance. I saw him killed by shrapnel which hit him in the back. He died within a few minutes - unconscious. The post was captured 3 hours after and the body was then left.
