News: DLI Memorial Unveiled

Angy Ellis reports:

Joanne Gray & I were asked to represent Durham Photographic Society at the weekend to photograph the unveiling of the Durham Light Infantry Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire in the presence of HRH The Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy KG GCVO Royal Colonel 3rd Battalion, The Rifles .

Like Cagney & Lacy we travelled together sharing thoughts and plans how we were going to cover an event so large with one Nikon & one Canon to support us. But we did and we did it very well if I say so myself.

We arrived at the George Hotel, touching base with Col Charlton who gave us full press access which we were extremely grateful for, and a rundown of the next day’s events.

That night was also the ‘Salamanca Supper’ in the hotel, so being the nice girls we are our services were offered to document this also. It was after Midnight when the last song ‘The Blaydon races’ finished off a grand night and we could finally go to bed.

Sunday morning we arrived early at the Arboretum springing straight into action. We covered the Band, the hundreds of DLI Association members & their families, three very friendly Chelsea Pensioners, the Royal arrival, meet & greets and finally the very moving ceremony.

The memorial is a larger-than-life statue of a DLI bugler dressed in the combat uniform of the Korean War.

It was modelled in clay by sculptor Alan Herriot, in Howgate, near Edinburgh, and was based on a photograph of the then 18-year-old Colour Sergeant Brandon Mulvey, of Chester-le-Street . Also present yesterday was Captain Tony Lynn, who designed the plinth of Portland stone and drew up the first draft sketches of the statue

Fundraising is now getting under way for a duplicate statue to be erected in Durham City.

Other dignitaries present were the Co Durham Lord-Lieutenant Sir Paul Nicholson, Honorary Colonel for The Rifles in County Durham James Ramsbotham, Durham City Mayor Councillor John Wilkinson, and Durham County Council chairwoman Councillor Linda Marshall.

It was a grand day out.

Angy Ellis

The Northern Echo LINK

All photos to be added on Friday

             

Angy’s photos

Joanne’s photos

The Durham Light Infantry Association

BRANCH BULLETIN JULY 2012

49.12 CHARITY EVENING – HORDEN& PETERLEE

The Horden & Peterlee Branch are holding a Charity Night on Thursday 16 August 2012 in the Peterlee Catholic Club starting at 7pm. The evening is in aid of Rfn Michael Keighley of 1 Rifles who lost both his legs and suffered internal injuries in Afghanistan after stepping on a an IED. There will be three artists, a buffet and a bottle raffle. All proceeds to be shared between “Care for Casualties” and SSAFA. All ticket enquiries to 0191 5860673 and any bottle donations would be appreciated.

50.12 WREATH LAYING – ARBORETUM

Branches are reminded that Major Paul Wharton MM will lay the Association wreath during the ceremony at the Arboretum on Sunday 22 July 2012. Individual wreaths may be laid after the departure of HRH or after the official dedication has taken place.

51.12 MEDAL FOUND

A General Service Medal with a clasp for Northern Ireland named to Pte. G. Joyce of The Light Infantry was found recently in the Newcastle area. Anyone who knows the owner of this medal should make him aware that it can be returned to him by contacting the Rifles Durham Office on 0191 3865496 – proof of identity will of course be necessary i.e. his army number.

52.12 SUNDERLAND DOGS

The Rifles Durham Office has once again a supply of FREE admission tickets for Sunderland Dogs. The tickets are for the meeting on Wednesday 1 August 2012 and as well as admission those attending will receive one FREE drink and Pie & Peas. Interested parties should contact the Rifles Durham Office on 0191 3865496.

53.54 INDOOR GAMES 2013

It was agreed at the Executive Meeting of the DLI Association held 27 June 2012 that the 2013 Indoor Games will be held in The RBL (Dubmire) Club, Fencehouses, Houghton-le-Spring on Sunday 24 March 2013. The Houghton-Le-Spring Branch will host the Games and all branches should note this in their Diary of Events for 2013.

54.12 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – MINUTES

The Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting held in the Rifles Durham Office on Wednesday 27 June 2012 are enclosed with tis Bulletin. Please ensure that their contents are made know to your members.

55.12 ANNUAL REUNION LUNCH

The Annual Reunion Lunch will take place on Sunday 9 September 2012 in the College of St Hild & Bede commencing at 1330 hrs. A charge of £12.00 will be made and to facilitate catering requirements tickets must be ordered from the Rifles Durham Office by 17 August 2012.

56.12 ARBORETUM CEREMONY – DVD

A DVD recording of the DLI Memorial Dedication on Sunday 22 July 2012 will be made by Mr. Paul Harness who will be filming before, during and after the Dedication of the Memorial. The DVD will cost £12 (including P & P – UK only). Soon after the Dedication, pictures will be shown on his website www.paulharness.com and will be available for purchase. Order forms will be available on the coaches traveling down to the Arboretum and will also be available from the Rifles Durham Office. The completed order forms may be given to Tony Lynn after the Service with cash or cheque made payable to P. Harness or by posting them to Tony Lynn at 28 Gainsborough Avenue, Columbia, Washington NE38 7EE with cheque made payable to P. Harness by 15 August. The DVD will be available in early September 2012..

57.12 DEATHS

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

Joseph Prendergast – 2 DLI Kohima

Major Mike Spurrier – 1 DLI

Former Adjutant 6 DLI

May They Rest in Peace

 

Kevin Storey, BEM

Secretary

Elvet Waterside

Museum Talks Programme

Saturday 14th July 2012 - 2.00pm

The Battle of Salamanca, 22 July 1812, by Major Gordon Corrigan, MBE

The Peninsula War, fought in Portugal, Spain and Southern France from 1808 to 1814 was Britain's major contribution on land to the French revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Compared to the momentous battles being fought in northern Europe against the Russians, Austrians and the Prussians, the Peninsula was a minor theatre, but it was Napoleon who called it the 'Spanish Ulcer', haemorrhaging French men, money and assets. After a few initial reverses, tiny British armies of professional regular soldiers consistently defeated far larger French forces. This talk will explain the war, concentrating on the great victory of Salamanca, and, in particular on the exploits of the 68th Regiment of Foot.

 

Tickets (normal admission cost also applies)

Adult £4.60, Concession £3.60, Children (4-16 years) £2.60

Annual Pass Holders

Adult £2.60, Concession £2.10, Children (4-16 years) £1.60

Tickets can be bought in advance from the DLI shop or by calling 0191 384 2214.

D Company the Rifles, Freedom Parade, Spennymoor

30^th June

D Company the Rifles were granted the freedom of Spennymoor, Co Durham on Armed Services Day in a moving and very well attended ceremony. There were also presentations of special service medals to soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan. Led by the Band and Bugles of Durham ACF , the Company then marched proudly through the town to huge acclaim.

Durham Photographic Society members were once again on hand to capture this memorable Rifles Regiment event.

                                            

LINK to J Attle’s Photos 

LINK to Tony Griffith’s Photos