The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin December 2014

92. ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES 2015

1. As reported in the Minutes of the Ordinary Executive Meeting held 12 November 2014 the Indoor Games of 2015 have been awarded to the Houghton-le-Spring Branch and will be held at the Dubmire Royal British Legion Club at Fence Houses on Sunday 22 March 2015.

2. It is the responsibility of the Houghton-le-Spring Branch to ensure they comply with all the requirements for the Games.

3. The Bar at Dubmire RBL Club will open by 1100hrs. Branch Registration will be up to 11.15 hrs. The Target time for the start of the Games is 1135 hrs.

4. Entry Forms can be found at the Annex to these Minutes. They must be returned completed to the Association Secretary by Friday 27 February 2015.

92. BRANCH FINANCE & STRENGTH RETURNS

    1. Secretaries are reminded that Branch Finance & Strength Returns are required from all branches for the Year Jan-Dec 2014 by 20 February 2015 on the proforma which can be found as Annex A to the November bulletin.

92. SEASON’S GREETINGS

    1. At the end of a wonderful year which saw the realisation of a long held dream of having a statue of the DLI soldier in the Market Place at Durham, which was unveiled at our Reunion on 14 September, from myself, Major Lawton and Shirley may we wish all members and their families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, with thanks for your cooperation and hard work during the past year. Well Done.

92. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS

14.95.01 It is good to be able to report that Membership of the Association is thriving. During the course of the period from November 2012 until the present time I have registered 72 new members. Of course not all of them have served in the DLI , Light Infantry or The Rifles but a good proportion of them have do so, and we must encourage this.

14.95.02 I am getting applications form individuals living out of the area who cannot, except on rare or special occasions, be expected to attend a monthly branch meeting, but who need to be aware of what is going of in the Association. It is my intention to establish a RHQ Group for these people, which I will administer myself and keep these members informed of Association events and activities so they can play as full a part as possible.

14.95.03 I would ask secretaries who submit individual membership applications to me for their branch to ensure the proposed branch name is entered on the form. I have recently had 5 cases in which no branch name was entered and so because of the addresses of the members I have sent to the wrong branch secretary.

14.95.04 Because of the wizardry of modern computers I only require ONE passport size photograph of intending members. £2.00 Life membership fees should still be paid to Shirley Nicholson, the AO at the Rifles Office.

92. PUBLICISING BRANCH EVENTS

    1. The Secretary is sometimes asked to publicise events which the organising branch hopes that members from other branches will attend. In a number of cases the details given are too sparse to do the job properly. At Annex C to these minutes is a publicity form which can be used to send the Association Secretary details of forthcoming events.

92. DEATHS REPORTED THIS MONTH

14.96.01 The following deaths have been reported to The Rifles Office since the last bulletin.

Mr Phil Parker, Saturday 29 November aged 64.

(late 1LI and Vice Chairman of the LI and Rifles Association Shrewsbury Branch)

Lieutenant Colonel Jack Rupert Hemsley, Saturday 29 November aged 71

(late KSLI/1LI)

T Wilkins (No details available)

Colin Rose,died Monday 22 December 2014. 8 Bn DLI, Light Infantry Volunteers and 5LI

Founder Member of “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club

George Kenneth Lodge, 22nd December.

Morris Gourley, aged78. A member of the Gateshead and Newcastle Branch. He served with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the DLI.

George Brown aged 90, died 26 December 2014.in Ashbourne Nursing Home, Billingham. Served in 70 Young Soldiers Battalion Durham Light Infantry,later 2/4 Bn KOYLI

May They Rest in Peace

 

Elvet Waterside

Durham

23 Dec 2014

Hartlepool Bombardment 16th December 1914

The first major attack on British soil of WW1 took place one hundred years ago today. Three German warships fired over one thousand shells into the town causing wide spread damage and killing over one hundred.

There is an article in the current issue of The Durham Bugle,  magazine of the friends of the museum.

LINK to BBC Tees coverage

DLI Association wins Medal

Today, the DLI Association was presented with the Chairman's medal.

The Chairman's Medal is awarded to individuals or groups in recognition of services to County Durham.It is the highest honour that can awarded and is given to individuals or groups who have contributed significantly to communities in County Durham.

The citation reads “In recognition of the strong and continuing bond between the County of Durham and its Regiment since 1758”

Pictured. Councillor John Robinson J.P. Chairman of Durham County Council presents the award to Major Paul Wharton M.M., DLI Association Chairman.

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin November 2014

82. MINUTES OF THE DLI ASSOCIATION ORDINARY EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD 11 NOVEMBER 2014

1. The minutes of this meeting have been distributed electronically. Any branch which has not received them should check their email addresses, amend if necessary and contact the secretary as soon as possible.

82. CHAIRMAN’S CERTIFICATE 2014

1. The DCC Chairman’s Certificate of Recognition of the links between the Regiment and the County is being presented on Wed 3 December in the Council Chamber at County Hall Durham, to which DLI Association Members are invited.

2. The certificate will be presented  to the Association Chairman at 1000hrs, after which the council meeting follows. Association members may remain for the rest of the meeting or leave at that point, waiting elsewhere in the building for the buffet to which the Association members are invited which is scheduled for around 1130-1200hrs

3. Members/Branches interested in attending should submit their names to the AO Rifles Office Durham as soon as possible and at the latest by Monday morning stating whether they are remaining for the buffet.

4. Personnel attending should report to the County Hall by 0930 hrs.

5. Dress: Regimental blazer and tie, beret, medals, grey trousers, black shoes.

82. DURHAM BUGLE - ISSUE 29

1. there are still some packs of Durham Bugles at the Rifles Office awaiting collection by Branch personnel. It would be helpful if they could be picked up as soon as possible.

82. BRIGADIER MACGREGOR-OAKFORD’S LETTER – A MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT

1. Any Branches requiring further copies of Brigadier RB MacGregor-Oakford’s letter should contact the Secretary.

82. BRANCH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND STRENGTH RETURNS

1. Branch Statement of Accounts and Strength Returns should be in the format shown at Annex A to this Bulletin.

2. No further details of Branch Accounts are required.

1. Note: Completed forms should be returned to the Secretary by Friday 20 February 2015.

14.87 CONFIRMATION OF THE DETAILS OF THE ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES 2015

1. The Association Indoor Games 2015 will be held as follows:

2. Date: Sunday 22 March 2015

3. Location: RBL Dubmire Club, Fence Houses

4. Hosts: Houghton-le-Spring

5. Entry Forms and updated Rules will be issued to branches in the New Year.

87. DLI ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS CARDS

    1. There is a good supply of DLI Association Christmas cards at the Rifles Office. They can be purchased in packs of 10 at £5.00 per pack.

87. PRI ITEMS FOR SALE AT THE RIFLES OFFICE

    1. There is a good stock of badged items on sale at the Rifles Office many of which would make good Christmas presents. Items include statuettes, clocks, pullovers, rain jackets, fleeces, berets, ties, ladies brooches, baseball caps, as well as books and many items of small memorabilia.

87. DLI ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS

    1. Several Branches are still using the old Membership Application Form

    2. The Secretary would be grateful if applications were made on the new form.

    3. The new form enables electronic data to be noted and this is increasingly the manner in which contact is made with members.

    4. It would be helpful if Branch Secretaries would ensure that the Branch that the applicant intends to join is entered on the form, so that the Association Secretary can send the Membership Cards to the correct Branch. The Joining Fee is £2.00.

    5. Copies of the new Application Form can be obtained from the Secretary. Please ensure a passport size photo is sent with the Application Form. Only ONE photo is required.

87. DEATHS REPORTED THIS MONTH

    1. The following deaths have been reported to The Rifles Office since the last bulletin.

    2. Major John Charles Howard Cunningham MC TD, died Wednesday 22 October 2014. Commissioned into The KOYLI. 15 January 1953 took over 11 Platoon D Company 1 DLI.

       Gilbert Williams (Buck), died Thursday 23 October 2104. Served with 1DLI in Signal Platoon 1961-1969

       Mr Ken Bedlington, Died Thursday 23 October 2014Served with the DLI, a dedicated member of the South Shields Branch and the Royal British Legion

       Major Philip C Alexander,died 28 October 2014 Served with the Durham Light Infantry

       Pte Morris Richardson,Served with Ox & Bucks LI - 1951-1953 in Egypt & Cyprus

       Reginald Dixon (Dixie) died suddenly on Sunday 26 Oct 2014.1LI, RCT (Princess Margaret’s Driver) Ripon, Devon, Cyprus, Northern Ireland

       May They Rest in Peace

Elvet Waterside

Durham

17 Nov 2014

First World War Talk - Home Comforts

Saturday 15 November - 2.00pm

Ann Wall and Eileen Brereton of the Red Cross will be speaking on the work of the Great War Red Cross Auxiliary Hospitals in the North Riding. They will discuss the community effort providing comforts for the soldiers both at home and away as well as attending to their diet and medical treatment along with a display of Red Cross artefacts.
The talk will describe the activities of the thirty two hospitals in the North Riding which included village halls, stately homes, a workhouse and County Hall in Northallerton. The work of the voluntary aid detachments (VADs) will be explained using local women’s experiences gleaned from personal diaries written at the time as well as the Red Cross war reports.

Cost £3, plus museum admission charges. To book, call 03000-266-590. also available in advance from the DLI shop .

Durham Cathedral Remembrance Concert

Tickets are now on sale for this years Remembrance Concert at Durham Cathedral on 8th November 2014

 

Full details can be found HERE

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin October 2014

82. DLI ASSOCIATION ORDINARY EXECUTIVE MEETING – 12 NOV 2014

1. This is a reminder for officials of the various branches of this meeting starting at 1400 hours at the Rifles Office Durham. At this meeting as well as well as routine business shown on the agenda branches will be asked if they are making bids for hosting of the DLI Indoor Games 2015.

82. MESSAGE FROM THE FAMILY OF TONY LYNN

1. The Secretary has received a card from the family of Tony Lynn thanking the Association for its support and presence at Tony’s funeral. The card says:

Dear Members

Just a little note from the family of Tony Lynn to thank you for your kind support and presence at his funeral. You helped to make the service a memorable and moving experience – a send off which was a great credit to our beloved Husband, Dad and Grandad, as well as the Durham Light Infantry

The collection raised just over £400 for Prostate Cancer UK.

Kind Regards

Margaret, Tony, Sharon, Melanie, Frank and Freya

2. I have written to Margaret to thank her.

82. OTHER EVENTS

1. Association members who are also members of the organisation named below are reminded of the following dates.

2. Sun 2 Nov The “Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club Victoria Cross Stone Ceremony at the VC Stone, DLI Museum at 1045 hrs. This year we are particularly celebrating the life of Pte Adam Herbert Wakenshaw. VC Branch Standards welcome.

3. Fri 7 Nov The “Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club Annual Dinner at the RBL Dubmire Club, 1900 bar open, Dinner 8.00pm (prompt).

82. WREATHS

1. Branches or members wishing to order wreaths for Remembrance Day or other memorial ceremonies should place their order early to avoid disappointment. The take up of wreaths this year has been considerable. You should state in your order whether you wish for DLI , Light Infantry or Rifles Wreaths.

82. CENOTAPH PARADE TICKETS

1. I still have at this time 6 tickets remaining for anyone wishing to join the DLI element of the ex-service parade. If you would like any of these ticket please contact me as soon as possible and I will despatch them to you, with other appropriate documentation.

82. DLI ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS CARDS

1. There is a good supply of DLI Association Christmas cards at the Rifles Office. They are for sale in packs of 10 at £5.00 per pack and show on the front WH Margetson’s painting of the Angles of Mons, inside the flags of a representative group of the Allied Nations and a Christmas Message. Order early as there is likely to be a demand for these cards.

82. DEATHS REPORTED THIS MONTH

1. The following deaths have been reported to The Rifles Office since the last bulletin.

2. Robert McLur 27 August 2014 Aged 78 years NS with 1DLI 1953-55, Later Cheshire Regiment TA. Former Sgt of the Liverpool Police

   Eric Meadley, Died on 30 Sept 2014. Served with the MT section of 1DLI. Eric was 88 years of age and a member of Hartlepool Branch

   Sgt ‘Ossie’ Oswald Henderson. Died 3 October 2014Aged 96 years.He Served 10 Bn DLI

   Jimmy Alderson No details known

   Major Robert Eric (Bob) Marsden. Died 15th October.  Served with 6 DLI

3. May they Rest in Peace

 

14. 

15. Elvet Waterside

    Durham

    21 Oct 2014

The Cleveland Branch of the WFA Meeting 21st October

1/7 Northumberland Fusiliers at Starfish/Hook and Gird Lines - Dave Barras

Dave will be talking about the actions of this battalion on the Somme from August to November 1916, where it took part in heavy and desperate fighting.

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

and commence at 8.00pm, members and non-members welcome.

First World War Talk

Saturday 18 October - 2.00pm

Harry Moses

Army Tactics and Roland Boys Bradford VC MC

 

Harry Moses will cover aspects of the evolution of infantry tactics during World War I, starting with the lessons that came out of the Boer War and influenced the BEF in France in 1914. He will highlight those aspects of infantry experience in the major battles of the conflict and the problems faced by its commanders as they sought to meet the challenges which a continental war placed upon a colonial army.
Brigadier Roland Boys Bradford VC, MC was one of the outstanding young officers, who entered the war as platoon and company commanders. Promoted to higher rank, their tactical awareness influenced the progress of the Army in the last 18 months of the war. Roland’s particular interpretation of the new tactics will be covered during the talk, which placed him high in the list of outstanding leaders produced by the war. His untimely death in November 1917 robbed the Army of a great soldier.

Tickets £3.00, (Plus admission) available in advance from the DLI shop or by calling 03000 266590.

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin September 2014

72. 15 SEPT 2014 SPECIAL MESSAGE OF THE DAY FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY ASSOCIATION, MAJOR PAUL WHARTON MM

I write to pass on to you my many thanks for your loyal support and efforts that you made to make this last weekend’s event the undoubted success that it surely was. I am sure that you all felt as I did an enormous sense of belonging to this fine Regiment and a feeling of being part of one big happy family. 
For those of you that were on parade you were superb and made my job as the parade commander extremely easy and pleasure to conduct, in fact, it was hard to distinguish the regular soldiers from the Veterans on this very important reunion and Regimental event.
Your marching, steadfastness and discipline were of the highest order and were held in a true Durham Light Infantry style which we have always known to be the highest.  May I also give a special mention to Steve Robson and all the Branch Standard Bearers and the Re-production Colours bearers for their drill and smartness on parade; you were all a credit to the Association. 
At this point it would be remiss of me not to mention the support that we all received from our families and friends throughout the lead up to the Reunion and in particular the support that you gave us and the Association on the day, thank you all.  Unfortunately it is with sadness that two of our veterans, Tony Lynn and Keith Straughier who were the driving force behind getting the DLI Memorial up and running and a reality are no longer with us, but they will always be remembered for the part that they played towards making this Regimental day a success. It was especially nice to see Jenny Straughier and Tony’s daughter Melanie and her husband Andrew join us and be part of this special reunion and dedication Service.

Of course many things go on behind the scenes before an event of this importance so may I also thank on your behave the following:  Lawrence Anderson the event officer, John Heron our Secretary, Kenneth Crawford our Association Padre, Chris Lawton the Regt County Secretary and Shirley from the Regt office for all they hard work towards making this Reunion a very memorable occasion.  

Finally, last but not least, may I thank Liz Pearson and her staff at St Chad’s College luncheon for looking after us all so well and supplying us, with a smile, endless amounts of food and drink.  I am sure that many of us went home very contented.
So now let us take pride that we have our own Regimental Memorial Statue in the Durham City market Place and be very proud that we can look back and say, I was present on Sunday 14 September 2014 on the occasion of the DLI Association Reunion and Dedication Service event.

Paul Wharton
Chairman
Faithful

72. DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE MEETING

    1. Be reminded of the DLI Association Executive Meeting on 12 November 2014 at 1400 hrs at the Rifles (Durham) Office

    2. All branches should ensure they are represented.

    3. The Agenda is to be found at Annex A

    4. Minutes of the DLI Executive Committee Meeting 18 June 14 will be available amongst the papers for the DLI Executive Committee Meeting on 12 November 14.

72. SUSPENSION OF ASSOCIATION RAFFLE FOR 2014 REUNION SUNDAY

14.74.01 The usual Association branch raffle run by the lead branch at the DLI Reunion was suspended for 2014 as the there was no Association Lead Branch, the venue was difficult in terms of any selling of tickets and the making any announcement of winners, and branch officials had too much to do. The Raffle will be held again in 2015.

72. MANNING THE PRI SHOP ON REUNION WEEKEND

    1. The PRI shop normally held in the at the stairwell of the College of St Hild and St Bede was instead held over 2 days on the Reunion Weekend on Palace Green as part of the WW1 Celebrations and events associated with the DLI Reunion and dedication of the DLI Statue in the Market Place. This was possible only through the efforts of Paulene Gill, Secretary of the Consett and Stanley Branch who organised ladies of the Royal Voluntary Services for the two days. This valuable service enabled the Association to take in excess of £550. A note of appreciation has been sent to the RVS.

72. DLI ASSOCIATION DRAW RESULTS

    1. Prize Winners in the DLI Association Draw 2014 are shown below.

    2. Cheques to the winners will be sent out by the Treasurer by the end of September.                 

    REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY CENOTAPH PARADE

    1. The Secretary has not yet received tickets for the London Cenotaph Parade. They will arrive at the Rifles Office in the next few days.

    2. The Secretary will send on to those branches the tickets and the Parade Instruction ordered earlier in the year. Members are reminded that a limited number of tickets for this parade are available, free, each year for which branches can bid.

    72. WORLD WAR 1 COMMEMORATION “TOMMY” STATUETTES

        1. These statuettes are now available for purchase at the Rifles Office at a cost of £50.00 each (if collected). If postage is required this will cost more. Application forms for statuettes are available from the Rifles Office, from where the statuettes can be collected.

        2. The World War 1 Commemoration “Tommy” is a limited edition of 100 statuettes individually numbered, each supported by a signed certificate of authenticity. Purchase is expected to be brisk.

    72. “FAITHFUL” INKERMAN CLUB DINNER AND VICTORIA CROSS STONE CEREMONY

        1. Application Forms to attend the Dinner which takes place on 7 November 2014 at the Dubmire RBL Club Fence Houses have been distributed by the Secretary Mr Brian Laverick. Application should be made early to avoid disappointment.

        2. The Victoria Cross Stone ceremony takes place on 2 November at 1045 hrs. The ceremony is open to all. Branch standards are invited.

    72. DLI CHRISTMAS CARD

        1. A DLI Christmas Card is available again this year. It is linked to the start of WW1 and shows the Angels of Mons, the flags of the Allies and an appropriate Christmas Greeting. Packs of 10, 20 and 30 cards are available for purchase at the Rifles Office now. A 2015 calendar is still being considered.

    72. DEATHS REPORTED THIS MONTH

        1. The following deaths have been reported to The Rifles Office since the last bulletin.

    Bernard Tanter Friday 15 August 2014 1 Bn DLI

    Capt Anthony Furness Lynn 29 August 2014 Served with 1 DLI, 2 DLI, 1LI, 2LI, NUOTC and 7LI

    Major JJ Clarke 2nd September 2014 served with KOYLI and 2LI

    Derek Monroe,DLI Association

    Norman McMahon, Secretary Sunderland Branch. Died at 11.30 on 12 Sept 2014.

    Michael Arnold Service No: 25084695. Served with 2 LI

    1998-2003

    May They Rest in Peace

73. 

74. Elvet Waterside

    26 Sep 2014

DLI Reunion

The old saying of it never rains on the reunion weekend still holds up,but it was a close call as it is raining in Durham this Monday morning.

There was a tremendous turn out for the parade and the dedication of the statue in the market place. The cathedral was was almost full for the Reunion and WW1 Centenary Commemoration Service.

Dedication of the Memorial (VIDEO)

2014 Roll of Honour (VIDEO)

Click here to view the first batch of photos.

Tony Griffiths photos

Angy Ellis photos

Joanne Gray photos

48 Hours to the Dedication

Only 48 hours to the dedication of the memorial as the finishing are completed.

A weekend of Activities in Durham

September 13th and 14th

Click on poster to enlarge

DLI Memorial Statue now in place

The DLI Memorial Statue is now in place, ready for the service of dedication on the 14th September.

More information and photographs on the Durham Photographic Society NewsBlog

LINK

Jim helps with the Lego Cathedral Build

Jim Mulhall DLI war veteran who was taken captive in Monte Cassino and escaped in a stolen Red Cross Ambulance has donated to Durham Cathedral’s LEGO build for his 95^th birthday.

Jim signed up to fight in World War Two ahead of conscription and fought in Africa and Solerno before he was taken captive and imprisoned for three years.

After managing to escape and make his way back to Britain, Jim ended up travelling with a member of the English aristocratic Lascelles family. On arrival into Britain, they were met and taken to the Ritz for afternoon tea – the first time Jim had ever set foot in a hotel.

Now he shies away from life’s luxuries and instead of gifts for his 95^th birthday, he requested donations be made to Durham Cathedral’s LEGO Cathedral project.

Jim came with friends and family to place over 100 bricks on the model and build the Durham Light Infantry Memorial in the DLI Chapel.

Link to all photos HERE

Military Vehicle Rally

Thanks to the fine weather up to two thousand visitors attended over the two days.

More photos now online HERE

Military Vehicle Rally

Just twelve hours to go…..

Vehicles and crew now setting up on site