Monthly Bulletin January 2015
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DLI ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP - RHQ GROUP
15.01.01 The Association has some concerns about members who live too far from the Durham area or who have mobility problems, and therefore cannot attend branch meetings and who as a result can lose contact with the events and activities of the Association. It seems to me that there is little point in being a member of the Association if you are never informed about Association activities.
15.01.02 New or current members who fit into this category will be placed into a new RHQ Group to whom DLI Association information will be sent directly. This does not mean they would be removed from their current branch list. It may be that current members know of some who might be proposed for this group. Clearly this will give them the opportunity to take part in activities about which they previously did nor hear, or even just be pleased they are in the picture about what is going on, even if they are unable to be part of these events. If you know of members who would fit into this category, and who would like to receive this service, please let the Secretary know their email address and they will be included.
15.01.03 It is therefore even more important than ever that the Secretary is made aware of Association activities which are occurring in and around the county. Secretaries are asked if they could send such information to the Secretary on the proforma, “DETAILS OF AN EVENT TO BE CIRCULATED BY THE ASSOCIATION SECRETARY”, which was included in the December 2014 Monthly Bulletin, so that members can be informed about them.
15.02 BRANCH FINANCE & STRENGTH RETURNS
15.02.01 Secretaries are reminded that branch finance & strength returns for the period 1 January 2014 – 31 December 2014 should reach this office by 20 February 2015. The appropriate form on which to make the return can be found as Annex A to the November 2014 Bulletin.
15.03 STOCK ITEMS
15.03.01 The Association has recently purchased some new items of stock including
DLI lapel badges 20mm (3/4”) in size , with pin & butterfly clip, which are also ideal for placing at the centre of Remembrance poppies. They are priced at £2.50 each.
15.03.02 Full size cap badges are no longer available from the original suppliers and a new supplier is being sought by the Association. As a result, at present, the Office has no cap badges for sale.
15.04 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
15.04.01 The DLI Roll of Honour read in Durham Cathedral in Sept 2014 contained the names of 50 former DLI officers and soldiers, and more deaths have been reported since then. Although not all were members of the DLI Association it is good to be able to report that despite this the DLI Association continues to thrive. During the period from November 2013 until January 2015, 73 new members have been enrolled.
15.04.02 Clearly the ideal situation would be that these new members would be former members of the DLI, LI or Rifles. However this is not always the case and it should be known that new members are welcome, both male and female who have served in other regiments or corps, or arms of the services, or none at all.
15.05 LEGION D’HONNEUR FOR NORMANDY VETERANS
15.05.01 It is now some time since Normandy Veterans applied for the decoration of the Legion d’Honneur to be issued by the French Government to all those British Veterans who served in the Liberation of France in the period 1944-45.
15.15.02 I am pleased to report that there has recently been some movement with regard to this. The hold-up has been associated with the administrative task required to sort through the enormous number of applications. Let us hope that it will now not be too long before the medals begin to arrive.
15.06 DEATHS REPORTED THIS MONTH
15.06.01 The following deaths have been reported to The Rifles Office since the last bulletin
George Kenneth Lodge Died 22 Dec 2014. Served with 6th Bn DLI.
A Normandy Veteran and later a POW. Member of the Chester-le-Street Branch DLI Association
Morris Gourley born 26 March 1936,died 24 December 2014
Served with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the DLI. A member of the Gateshead & Newcastle Branch DLI Association
George Brown born 20/07/1924 died 26 December 2014
Served in 70 Young Soldiers Battalion DLI.Later 2/4 Bn KOYLI
Major Victor John Howells psc born 14 March 1926.
died 18 December 201414 at Tiverton Hospital.
Thomas Vaughan died 27 Dec 2014.
Served 2 Bn DLI 1943-1946 in India & Burma
Cyril Close died in January 2015
Assault Pioneer 1DLI Korea. Member of Bishop Auckland Branch.
Martin (Marty) Donlan died 11/12th January 2015. Served in 1LI.
Mr John Lannigan (Joe) Died Sat 10 January 2015. Served with the D.L.I.
May They Rest in Peace
Elvet Waterside
Durham
16 Jan 15
