de Nance, Wilfred Cyril 200299 (1897 - 1917)

ance Corporal, 5th/6th Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Buried at Arras Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Lance-Corporal Wilfred C. de Nance was the younger son of the late William C. de Nance, dentist, 281 St. George's Road, Glasgow, and the only son of Mrs. de Nance, 28 Holyrood Quadrant. He received all his education at Hillhead High School, where he is still remembered for his bright and cheerful disposition and frank, open nature.

On leaving School he entered the office of Messrs. Napier & McIntyre, iron merchants, Oswald Street. There he made rapid progress, and was held in high esteem by his principals and the other members of the staff.

At the outbreak of war he was a member of the Hillhead Company of the Glasgow Highlanders, and was mobilised on the 4th August, 1914. He proceeded with his battalion to France in November, and was one of the gallant band who held the Yser Front against the overwhelming forces of the enemy.

The war has brought many surprises, but when the full story of it comes to be written probably the greatest will be the failure of the Germans in the early days of the war to break through the thin red line of British troops. Then, too, will be known the full story of the
amazing bravery and almost incredible hardships of the original British Army.

Corporal de Nance came safely through it all, but was wounded in the head at the Battle of Festubert in April, 1915. After a long spell in hospital and at home he returned to France in April, 1916. He came safely through much hard fighting during the Battle of the Somme, but fell in action on 20th May, 1917.

The sergeant of his platoon writing home says, "Your son was by my side during some heavy fighting, and I found him to be a dependable companion. Later in the day, when the German position was captured, he was shot through the heart by a sniper, and died immediately. All of Platoon No. 6 feel his loss very much, I especially, as he was one of my best and most reliable N.C.O.'s."

The pupils and staff tender their sincerest sympathy to his mother in the loss of a dearly beloved and only son.