CHANCE, John Percival

John Chance was born in Brierley Hill and was a pre-war regular soldier in the 2nd Battalion of the Worcesters. He had probably been a reservist in 1914 who was called up to join his battalion in the BEF. He had seen a great deal of serious action from Mons to Ypres, but after its losses at Loos the battalion had been in a quiet sector. They joined the 1916 Battle of the Somme for its second phase which started on the 14th July. They were ordered to attack High Wood, which was strongly defended by the enemy and approached over open fields. During the next six days the Worcesters tried to dislodge the enemy but did not succeed. Their casualties exceeded 300 and among the wounded was Private John Chance. He was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station but died on the 18th July. He was buried at Heilly Station Military Cemetery (2 D 34) and commemorated on the Brierley Hill, Lye and Wollescote, Brierley Hill church and Lye church Memorials and the Delph District Roll of Honour..