INDOOR GAMES 2026

The Dubmire RBL Workingmen’s Club, Fencehouses  was the venue for the Association event, hosted once more by Houghton-le-Spring Branch. Nine Branches took part in the competition and a great day was had by all, with approximately 120 members in attendance, including 113 meals sold for the lunchtime break, with Curry and Rice, Pie, Peas and Gravy or Ham Salads being the options, at just £6 per head. The matches pitted teams against each other in a knockout-cup format in three events, namely, Darts, Dominoes and Whist. DLI Association Secretary acted as MC, supported by Lt Col John Heron and Maj Mike van der Gucht as scorers. Terry Phillips fulfilled all the Umpire duties for the Whist, while other Umpires were drawn from all the other Branched to see fair play on the Darts and Dominoes. The Overall winners were Hartlepool Branch, who also conquered the Darts; Sunderland Branch were overall Runners-up. Gateshead and Newcastle Branch won the Whist, with Bishop Auckland Branch coming out on top in the Dominoes. Houghton-le-Spring earned the Wooden Spoon for lowest overall points of the teams competing in all three events. The day finished on time, following the Presentation of Cups by DLI Association Chairman Maj Chris Lawton, MBE, DL, which included the Indoor Rifle Competition Cup and Trophy won in February by Houghton-le-Spring Branch. A full day, with fierce competition, great craic and wonderful camaraderie…roll on next year.

Link to all photos   HERE

GUYZANCE MEMORIAL COMMEMORATION FRIDAY 16 JANUARY 2026

 

On Friday 16 January 2026 the DLI Assn commemorated the tragic deaths by drowning, on exercise, of ten eighteen year old trainee soldiers; eight DLI Trainees and two Trainees from the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, at the weir on the River Cocquet at Guyzance, on 17 January 1945, when training for WW2 operations in Europe. The Service was held beside the weir at the Guyzance Memorial Stone, on a cold, crisp morning, with approximately 40 attendees drawn from the DLI Assn, the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, local councillors and folks from the local community, including two DLI Assn Buglers, Kevin Blackmore and James Foster, and six Branch Standards also on Parade.

The Service was conducted jointly by DLI Assn Secretary Richard Tough and Revd Helen O’Sullivan beginning at 1050hrs. Maj Mike van der Gucht read the names of the ten fallen young soldiers. Richard Tough delivered ‘The Exhortation’, before the Buglers sounded ‘Last Post’; then ‘Reveille’ followed ‘The Silence’. Wreaths were laid by Maj Chris Lawton, representing ‘The Regiment’ and Capt Peter Robson for the DLI Assn. A member of the Duke of Wellingtons laid a wreath followed by local Councillors and other private individuals. Revd Helen O’Sullivan led prayers, culminating in ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. The Regimental Hymn, ‘Abide With Me’ was sang ‘a Capella’, before Richard Tough recited ‘The Kohima Epitaph’. Graeme Winterington, a nephew of one of the soldiers who died, addressed those assembled and read a very moving poem he had written ‘A Place of Peace’. The Service closed with ’The National Anthem’ and a Blessing by Revd Helen O’Sulllivan. At the end of the ceremony, attendees retired to Acklington Community Centre, where an excellent buffet lunch was provided by the Acklington Parish Community Team; this included two types of hearty broth, which were very much enjoyed by everyone, especially if judged by the number who went back for seconds!

Report by Richard Tough

Joanne Hutchinson provided the following photographs

LINK TO MORE PHOTOS  HERE

Durham Light Infantry Association

 

Monthly Bulletin for November  2025:

Monthly Bulletin for November 2025 can be viewed HERE                                                                                                     

Durham Light Infantry Association

 

Monthly Bulletin for October  2025:

Monthly Bulletin for October  2025 can be viewed  HERE

Durham Festival of Remembrance.

 

Durham Festival of Remembrance.

Durham Light Infantry Association

 

Monthly Bulletin for September  2025:

Monthly Bulletin for September  2025 can be viewed   HERE

Durham Festival of Remembrance.

Durham Festival of Remembrance at Durham Cathedral