The Durham Light Infantry Association

BRANCH BULLETIN JANUARY 2013

01.13 THE BUGLE – THE JOURNAL OF THE RIFLES

Copies of the Journal of The Rifles “The Bugle” are now held by the Rifles Durham Office. This is a high quality publication in full colour and contains a large section of Regimental Association news including that of the DLI. It is an annual publication priced at £13 per copy and can be obtained by telephoning 0191 3865496 or can be collected by visiting the office at Elvet Waterside.

02.13 FINANCIAL & STRENGTH RETURNS

Branches are reminded that the annual Financial & Membership Strength returns should reach the Rifles Durham Office as soon as possible but no later than 28 February 2013. The form to be submitted was issued at the November Executive Committee Meeting.

03.13 BOOK – THE FIGHTING SIXTH

The book “The Fighting Sixth” by Harry Moses was first published in 1995 but has been out of stock for some time. Because of many requests for the book it was decided to reprint it and this second edition is now available. The book is a history of the sixth battalion priced at £12.95 and can be obtained from the Rifles Durham Office on 0191 3865496 or it may be collected from the office. Copies of the first edition of the book are being offered on the Internet for £70.00!

04.13 SUNDERLAND DOGS – FREE NIGHT OUT

The Secretary has received a supply of complimentary tickets for a FREE night out at Sunderland Dogs, Newcastle Road, Sunderland SR5 1RP for Wednesday 6 February 2013. The tickets grant Free Admission, 1 FREE drink and FREE Pie & Pease. There will be 13 live races commencing at 1830 hrs with doors open at 1800 hrs. Any branch or group interested should contact The Rifles Durham Office on 0191 3865496, extra tickets can be acquired if needed.

05.13 INDOOR GAMES 2013

The November meeting of the Executive Committee agreed that the 2013 Indoor Games should be held on Sunday 24 March. They will be held in the RLB (Dubmire) Club, Fencehouses, Houghton-Le-Spring. The doors will be open at 1100 hrs with Games starting at approximately Noon. The application to participate and payment for meals ordered should reach the Rifles Durham Office as soon as possible but no later than the date printed on the form. Please note that a Raffle Prize would also be welcome.

06.13 LIGHT INFANTRY/RIFLES

ANNUAL REUNION 2013

The Light Infantry and Rifles Reunion will take place from 7 -9 of June 2013. The detailed programme has yet to be finalised but shown below are the planning dates as they stand at present:

a) The 39 January: initial planning meeting for Admin Staff.

b) Mid Feb Planning meeting; Record of decisions(ROD) issued.

c) Early/Mid March: Calling letter sent out.

d) Early May: Returns in to Reunion Coordinator.

e) Mid May: Tickets issued.

This year The Rifles Band & Bugles will be available for the Association Day Saturday 8 June. The LI bar will be open from 1800 hrs on Friday 7 June until 0100 hrs 8 June.

07.13 DEATHS

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

L/Cpl Steve Edes – 2 DLI

Steve was batman to Major F.A.S. Murray MC in Wuppertal

Col Mike Galloway DLI (TA)

Cpl Neville Hutchinson 8 DLI

Neville was active member of the Durham Branch

Of the Association for many years

Neville at the 2012 Indoor Games

May they Rest in Peace

 

Kevin Storey BEM

Secretary

Elvet Waterside

Western Front Association - Cleveland Branch

Branch Meetings 2013

Meetings take place at the Royal Navy Club, William Street, Stockton.

The meetings commence at 8.00pm.

Both members and non-members welcome

 

15 January ‘A Ridge Too Far’ - The Battle for Redan Ridge, Somme 1916 – Sean Godfrey

Situated between Serre and Beaumont Hamel, Redan Ridge is a forgotten battle in the Somme campaign. Sean will be looking at the costly British efforts to take the ridge and the desperate German defensive battle to hold it.

19 February ‘Our Friends In The North’, - The Belgian Army in the Great War – Jeff Bennett

The Belgian Army, fighting to the north of Ypres played a vital role on the Western Front, defending the small part of Belgium not conquered by the Germans. Jeff will be looking at the crucial and critical part the Belgians played in the Great War that is so often overlooked.

19 March Hartlepool, December 1914 – John Sadler

John will be talking about the bombardment of Hartlepool by the German navy in December 1914, in what John declares should be classed as a battle in its own right.

16 April Monty’s Mentor – Terry Dean

The story of James Walter Sandilands, who uses his pre-war experiences in fighting the Dervishes and Boers to quickly progress from Captain to Brigadier General on the Western Front. He gives his young Brigade-Major (Captain Montgomery) lessons and experiences he would never forget.

21 May ‘Surely We Are Winning’ – A Family at War – Malcolm Johnson

Malcolm will be talking about an ordinary family during The Great War 1914-1918, based on the letters of Private Walter Parsonage 1/5th KOYLI.

18 June 'Wully’ – Field Marshall William Robertson in the Great War – Dr John Bourne

Dr John Bourne will be talking about Field-Marshal Sir William Robertson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Great War'. The only soldier in the British Army to rise through the ranks to the position of Field Marshall.

16 July The Great War and its Aftermath – Colin Hatton

Colin will be talking about some of the personalities from the war and looking at some of those who served and died from the Haverton Hill area of Stockton.

20 August No Meeting

17 September Second Alamein 1942 – A Great War Battle? – Dr Bryn Hammond (Imperial War Museum)

Dr Hammond will be looking at the similarities between the Battle of El Alamein and battles fought in the Great War and whether Montgomery’s experiences in the Great War influenced his tactics at El Alamein.

15 October Talk to be Confirmed – Peter Hart (Imperial War Museum)

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19 November ‘MI5’ - Aspects of the British Secret Service– Brian Ainsworth

Brian will be talking about its foundation, subsequent division into MI5 and MI6, and operations during the Great War.

Branch Chairman: Sean Godfrey. Tel: 07990 784605, e-mail sean.godfrey@ntlworld.com

The Western Front Association, Cleveland Branch is a Registered Charity.