The Durham Light Infantry Association.

BRANCH BULLETIN December 2010.

101.10 BECOME A PART OF HISTORY

The Legasee war veterans project is looking for volunteers who want to tell their stories and, as part of an exciting social history project, the film company Legasee is look for war veterans who would like to have their stories filmed for posterity.

The footage will be used to launch a unique online archive of interviews for use by schools, colleges and members of the public.

To kick-start the project, they are looking for war veterans of any age who wish to recall their experiences in front of the camera for the benefit of future generations. It doesn’t matter what campaign or country you served in, or what role you played The Legasee war veterans project is completely free of charge, with any travel expenses paid – all they need is your knowledge, enthusiasm and a small amount of your time to take part in the filming.

If any member is interested please advise them to email dave@legasee.org.uk giving their name, age, daytime telephone number and brief details of their wartime service. If you have no access to a computer and you wish to participate, please send you details to the Rifles Durham Office Elvet Waterside, Durham, DH1 3BW or telephone 0191 3865496.

Korea – Suez – Borneo – Kenya – Northern Ireland.

102,10 BRANCH ELECTION RETURNS

The Branch Election form was not enclosed with the November Bulletin as suggested. This was because most of the Bulletins were transmitted electronically. They are now enclosed and branches should complete them after their AGMs have taken place and forward them to The Rifles Durham Office by the date stated on the form. Branches who do not hold their AGM until later in the year should still return the form by the due date advising us of the date of their AGM.

103/10 SEASONS GREETINGS

The staff at the Rifles Durham Office send their best wishes to all members and their families and wish to thank everyone involved for their unstinting support during 2010.

It has been a busy year and a number of demands have been made on your time and finances both of which you have given of generously. Well done and thank you.

Kevin Storey BEM

Secretary

Elvet Waterside

The Durham Light Infantry Association

BRANCH BULLETIN November 2010

93.10 INDOOR GAMES 2011

It was agreed at the November Executive Committee Meeting that the Indoor Games of 2011 will take place in the RBL Dubmire Club, Fencehouses on Sunday 6 March. The Houghton Le Spring Branch will act as hosts and branches are asked to note this in their Forecast of Events.

94.10 FINAL PARADE PRINTS

Will branches please note that good quality prints by artist Tom Carr of the Final Parade on 12 December 1968 are available from the Rifles Durham Office priced at £5.

95.10 DARLINGTON & NEWTON AYCLIFFE BRANCH

An Open Quiz Night will take place after the Darlington & Newton Aycliffe Branch Meeting being held on Tuesday 7 December 2010 at their venue The RLB Club, Macmillan Road, Newton Wycliffe. The meeting commences at 1900 hrs and the Quiz will take place immediately after the meeting. Branches wishing to take part should confirm their attendance with the Secretary Wilf Emmerson on 01325 319103.

96.10 WINTER CLOTHING

The following items of winter clothing are being held at The Rifles Durham Office and branches should advise their members accordingly:

Woolly Hats green with badge - £6.00

Wool “V” Neck pullovers - £16.00

Rainproof Windcheaters - £15.00

Keep warm this Winter.

97.10 CHRISTMAS CARDS & CALENDARS

Please remind members that Christmas Cards and Calendars are available from The Rifles Durham Office and should be ordered before the 17^th of December.

98.10 BRANCH ELECTION RETURNS

Enclosed with this Bulletin please find the Branch Election proforma which should be completed and returned to the Secretary as soon as possible after Annual General Meetings have been held.

99.10 NATIONAL ARBORETUM – DLI MEMORIAL

The date for the Inauguration Ceremony for the DLI Memorial in the National Arboretum in Staffordshire has been fixed for Sunday 12 June 2011. It is hoped that branches travelling back from the Light Infantry Reunion will plan their return route to attend this ceremony. Branches who are not attending the LI Reunion should note the event in their Forecast of Events for 2011.

100.10 DEATHS

The following deaths have been reported to The Rifles Durham Office since the last Branch Bulletin:

L/Cpl Dave (Eddy) Edwards – 2 LI 1975 to 1986

Michael (Micky) Cameron

 

Kevin Storey BEM

Secretary

Elvet Waterside

Remembrance Day

Sunday November 14th.

Members of Durham Photographic Society were on hand again to record this years parades.

Durham

 

 

This year one of our members attended the largest parade outside London. Many thanks to Mr Arthur Lockyear MBE for allowing Ian Stafford privileged access.

Sunderland

Festival of Remembrance, Durham Cathedral

Saturday 13 November

A Festival of Remembrance Concert compared by Alasdair Hutton, the voice of the Edinburgh Tattoo, was held at Durham Cathedral.

The concert programme featured The Royal Signals (Northern) Band, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Band, John Rowland, Julie Pendleton, Vicki Guillory, Alison Cochlan and the Backworth Male Voice Choir.

Proceeds from the concert will go to The Royal British Legion and ABF The Soldiers' Charity.

 

All of the Photos can be viewed on the Gallery page.

VC Stone Ceremony

On Sunday November 7th over thirty members of “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club and friends assembled for the annual VC Stone Ceremony at the DLI Museum. The ceremony is a celebration of the award of the Victoria Cross to the soldiers of the DLI whose names are inscribed on the stone.

Lt Col JR Heron TD welcomed everyone and then gave a short outline on life of this year’s celebrant Captain Arthur Moore Lascelles and the actions which led to the award.

After the Exhortation, Last Post, Silence and the Reveille a wreath was laid at the memorial stone by Major C Lawton MBE. The regimental hymn was then sung followed by the Kohima Epitaph and the National Anthem. The proceedings were completed by the Bugles of the Borneo Band playing No More Parades Today.

  

A link to all the photos can be found on the Gallery page.

Courageous Restraint: 3 Rifles in Afghanistan

The new exhibition is now open.

More details can be found on the DLI Museum website. LINK

 

 

EXHIBITION NEWS – REMEMBRANCE

DURHAM TOWN HALL

An exhibition of prints by members of Durham Photographic Society on the theme of Remembrance is now on in the Town Hall entrance gallery until the end of November. This is to co-incide with events in Durham around Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.

  

 

DLI Museum Dads Club

Starting November 6th.

 Book now to avoid disappointment.

 

 

The Durham Light Infantry Association.

BRANCH BULLETIN  OCTOBER 2010

82.10 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

The next Executive Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday 10 November 2010. The agenda is enclosed with this bulletin and branches should ensure that they are represented.

83.10 CENOTAPH TICKETS

The tickets for the Royal British Legion Cenotaph Parade have been distributed to order. There are a few spares and any member who requires a ticket should apply to the Secretary at The Rifles Office 0191 3865496.

84.10 INDOOR GAMES VENUE

The venue for the 2011 Indoor games will be decided at the Executive Committee Meeting on 10 November 2010. Will branches please consider their options i.e. Washington at the Top Club or Houghton-Le-Spring at the RBL Club Fencehouses.

85.10 DLI REGIMENTAL TIES

A supply of Regimental ties has been received and are now available for purchase at £8.50 each.

86.10 CHRISTMAS CARDS & CALENDARS

Branches who have not yet ordered their Christmas Cards or 2011 Calendar should do so as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

87.10 KOHIMA TALK – COL TED SHIELDS

Colonel Ted Shields the President of the DLI Association recently visited the battle site of Kohima and is to give a talk about the Battle in the DLI Museum on Thursday 4 November at 7.30 PM, with reception and drinks from 6.45 PM. Kohima which is a 2^nd Battalion Battle Honour, was the turning point in the war against Japan and it is estimated that British & Indian forces lost 4000 dead, missing and wounded – the Japanese 7000. Tickets are available from the DLI Museum at £10 for “Friends” and £15 for non-friends.

88.10 DLI SWEEPSTAKE WINNERS

All branches will have received details of the DLI Sweepstake draw made on the 29 September. All ticket holders who drew runners were informed direct by telephone and all winners have received their prize. I wish to thank all branches for another fine effort.

89.10 UNCLAIMED PRIZES – REUNION RAFFLE

Two reunion raffle prizes remain unclaimed - 41463 (Whisky) & 41476 (Vodka). Please note that if they remain unclaimed they will be added to the prizes at the Indoor Games 2011.

90.10 INKERMAN DINNER

Please note that the last date for applications to attend the Inkerman Dinner which will be held in The RLB Club Fencehouses on Friday 5 November is 29 October 2010.

91.10 INKERMAN STONE CEREMONY

The ceremony at the Inkerman Stone will be held on site at the DLI Museum on Sunday 7 November 2010. Please make every effort to attend at 1030 AM for 1045 AM – Dress as usual - blazers, berets and medals will be worn.

92.10 ARNHEM PILGRIMAGE 2011

The DLI Association is planning a visit to Arnhem from Friday 16 September 2011 to Tuesday 20 September 2011, 5 days and 4 nights via Hull/Rotterdam. We will visit the area in the Nijmegan Salient where 151(Durham) Brigade was fighting with XXX Corps to reach Arnhem and the besieged Para Brigade. We will also visit the Para cemetery at Oosterbeck where there is the touching ceremony involving the local schoolchildren laying a flower on each grave. The cost will depend on the number of travelers, e.g. if we have a maximum of 47 then the cost will be £288.00 per person. Forms are available at the Rifles Durham Office should any member wish to declare an interest.

Kevin Storey BEM

Secretary

Rifles Durham Office.

Talk: 2DLI at Kohima by Colonel Ted Shields

Thursday 4^th November, 7.30pm

Venue: DLI Museum.

The Battle of Kohima, fought by the 2^ndBritish Division, of which 2^nd Battalion DLI were a part, is a relatively little known but hugely significant incident within the South-East Asia campaign of the Second World War.  Following a 13-day siege and a period of intensely ferocious fighting, the Japanese forces surrendered.  It is estimated that the British and Indian forces had lost some 4000 men – dead, missing and wounded; the Japanese, 7000.

Colonel Ted is The Rifles Colonel, Durham and recently visited Kohima.  He is a devotee of regimental History and sits on The Rifles Heritage Committee, so this talk will be authoritative and informative with, no doubt, some flashes of humour.

The talk will be preceded by a drinks reception – an opportunity to meet with other ‘Friends’ of the museum or find out more about being a member.

Cost: 

Non-DLI Museum Friends        £15-00

DLI Museum Friends               £10-00

Concessions                          £  8-50

Tickets for sale in advance from the DLI Museum

Drinks and canapés from 6.45pm

The Durham Light Infantry Association.

BRANCH BULLETIN ,September 2010.

72.10 ASSOCIATION SWEEPSTAKE – DRAW

Branches who have not yet returned money & ticket counterfoils should do so as soon as possible. The draw takes place on Thursday 30 September and all counterfoils, money and unsold tickets should be returned by Wednesday 29 September 2010.

73.10 CHRISTMAS CARDS

This years Christmas Cards are proving very popular and are selling fast, branches that have not yet ordered a supply are asked to do so quickly if they wish to avoid disappointment .

74.10 ASSOCIATION CALENDARS 2011

An order form for next years DLI Calendar is enclosed with this Bulletin, only 200 have been printed. The front cover contains a picture of the Inauguration Ceremony in 1861 of the statue of Lord Londonderry in Durham Market place and considering its recent removal to a new site may become a collector's item!

75. REUNION RAFFLE – UNCLAIMED PRIZES

There was two unclaimed prizes from the Reunion Raffle and details are listed below:

Ticket No: 41463 – A bottle of Teachers Whisky

Ticket No: 41476 – A bottle of Vodka

If these remain unclaimed they will be carried forward to the Indoor Games Raffle in March 2011. Please search your pockets – no ticket, no prize.

76.10 DURHAM BUGLE – AUTUMN 2010

Issue No 21 of the Durham Bugle is now available for collection at the Rifles Durham Office. Branches are asked to make every effort to collect their quota as soon as possible. The edition contains a number of exciting articles and a selection of photographs from recent events.

77.10 INKERMAN DINNER 2010

Members of “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club will have received an invitation to attend this years Dinner which is scheduled to take place on Friday 5 November 2010

in the Dubmire R.B.L. Club, Fencehouses., 7.30 PM for 8 PM. Please return your proforma to Brian Laverick as early as possible.

78.10 VICTORIA CROSS STONE CEREMONY

The Faithful Inkerman Dinner Club Victoria Cross Stone Ceremony will take place at the Durham Light Infantry Museum site on Sunday 7 November 2010. Those attending should be in situe by 10.30 AM for 10.45 AM. Dress: Regimental.

79.10 REUNION RAFFLE – TICKET SELLERS

May we record our thanks to the South Shields Branch who provided the ticket seller. The raffle made £187.50 for which the Association is most grateful.

80.10 MAJOR LAWTON – PROGRESS REPORT

Major Lawton wishes to thank all those who sent cards wishing him a speedy recovery – he says he is making good progress and has targeted the 4^th of October for his return to duty.

81.10 DEATHS

The following death has been notified to the Rifles Durham Office since the August Bulletin:

Major Edmund Thomasson MBE – ex RSM & QM

 

Kevin Storey BEM, Secretary, Elvet Waterside.

NEWS REPORT: 3 Rifles Freedom Parade

Sunderland, 10^th Sept

Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion The Rifles took part in a parade through the city on 10th September to mark the honour of the regiment being given the Freedom of Sunderland. The regiment  which recruits from throughout the North East had earlier in the week been granted the Freedom of Stockton and Darlington. Tony Griffiths was there to capture this exciting event for us.

 

 

All Photos. T. Griffiths.

LINK to all Photos.

NEWS REPORT: DLI REUNION

DURHAM CATHEDRAL, 12^th Sept

DLI Veterans assembled from across the region and beyond for the traditional parade and march past followed by a service in the cathedral. Durham Photographic Society members were on hand to photograph the occasion.

Images can be seen on: LINK

 

 

News Report: Sounding Retreat

The Band and Bugles of The Rifles completed a busy schedule in the NE on Saturday with the Sounding Retreat on palace green in Durham City. They were joined by the Borneo Band and Bugles of Durham Army Cadet Force . Members of Durham Photographic Society were on hand to record the display.

LINK to all Photos.

DLI Reunion – Durham

The annual Durham Light Infantry Reunion will take place at Durham Cathedral on Sunday 12th September 2010.

Note some roads near County Hall will be closed in the morning.

Call back later in the week to see the photos.

The Band and Bugles of The Rifles

11^th September Sounding Retreat Durham Castle.

FREEDOM PARADES, 3 RIFLES

8^th September Darlington,

9^th September Stockton,

10^th September Sunderland.

Events Sept 2010 – January 2011

8 September 2010, 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm) – Durham Town Hall

Talk: Lt. Col. Nick Kitson – 3 Rifles in Afghanistan

Lt. Col. Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion of The Rifles, will present a candid and frank insight, speaking personally rather than from an official MOD script. This will be a unique opportunity to hear a respected British officer give a balanced and highly informative review of the recent 3 Rifles Battle Group tour in Afghanistan.

Cost: £10 (raising funds for Care for Casualties, the Rifles charity set up to support soldiers injured in Afghanistan); tickets are available from the DLI Museum

25 September 2010, 1.30pm

Visit: Heugh Gun Battery, Hartlepool

John Southcott, Chairman of the Heugh Gun Battery Trust, will lead us on a tour of the Battery with a long history from 1859 to 1956, including the famous Bombardment of the Hartlepools on 16 December 1914.

Cost: Pay individually on site – Adult £4.00; Concession £2.50.

4 November 2010, 7.30pm (doors open 6.45) – Venue to be confirmed

Talk: Col. Ted Shields – 2DLI at Kohima

Colonel Ted is The Rifles Colonel, Durham and recently visited Kohima as part of his role as Chief of Staff of 2^nd Division, with whom 2DLI served at Kohima (see recent article in The Durham Bugle). He is a devotee of regimental History and sits on The Rifles Heritage Committee, so this talk will be authoritative and, knowing Ted, it will also be entertaining.

Cost: £10 Friends, £15 non-Friends

22 January 2011, coach leaving DLI Museum at 9.00am and returning 5.30pm

Visit: Fusilier Museum, Bury

A special tour has been arranged by the Regimental Secretary and passionate curator Col. Mike Glover. The Fusilier Museum is of particular interest for two reasons. First, it has the most recently developed regimental museum exhibitions in the north of England since the DLI Museum was re-displayed ten years ago. Second, the Lancashire Fusiliers and Durham Light Infantry share a similar 20^th century history in WWI and WWII and both regiments were amalgamated in 1968. The new Fusilier Museum tells the story of the Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers up to the present day.