The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin March 2015

 

15.17 THE GRANTING OF THE FREEDOM OF HARTLEPOOL TO THE RIFLES

15.17.01 The marking of the award of the Freedom of Hartlepool to THE RIFLES was celebrated by 3RIFLES accompanied by D RIFLES Coy 5RRF and a party of around 20 from the Hartlepool Branch DLI Association, on Saturday 21 March at Hartlepool Cenotaph, followed by a reception at the Civic Centre. Many members of the Association attended as individuals and enjoyed the parade despite the extremely cold weather.

18. THE AWARD OF THE NORTHUMBRIAN ASSOCIATION HOTSPUR AWARD

15.18 01 The Hotspur Award for 2015 was awarded to D Rifles Coy 5RRF for its “bold endeavour” in raising the profile of the North East. The award takes the form of a Silver Spur named after Harry Hotspur, son of the first Earl of Northumberland, a Northumbrian hero famed for his valour and energy. After a procession by the Northumbrian Association from Finchale Priory under the flag of St Cuthbert, the ceremony of presentation took place in Durham Market Place on 21 March 2015 where the representatives of the Northumbrian Association, under their banner, gathered beside the DLI Statue with representatives of the 5 RIFLES Coy supported by 2 Standards and members of the DLI Association. After the ceremony many attending processed to the Cathedral for service of thanksgiving.

18. DLI ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES

    1. The DLI Association Annual Indoor Games hosted by Houghton-le-Spring Branch of the Association took place at the Dubmire Royal British Legion Club at Fence Houses. 11 branches took part in the three disciplines, darts, dominoes and whist. The Darts competition was won by Spennymoor Branch, the dominoes by Bishop Auckland Branch, and the Whist by Chester-le-Street Branch. The Winners trophy was shared between the Houghton-le-Spring and Chester-le-Street Branches. Stockton Branch won the Wooden Spoon. The trophies were presented by the Chairman Maj Paul Wharton MM who thanked all who were involved in organising the event for their contribution to a successful and enjoyable day.

    2. The organisation by the hosting branch was excellent, and the lunch, (curry or salad) was of a high standard. The Dubmire Club is an excellent location as the whole competition can be run in one room, containing a bar, with plenty of sitting space for the members. 140 members attended.

    3. The only debit point of the day was the absence of the Dominoes Trophy won in 2014 which was not available for presentation to the winners, the Bishop Auckland Branch. This must be returned to the Rifles Office immediately, engraved and polished for late presentation.

18. EVENTS TO MARK THE LIBERATION OF BERGEN-BELSEN CONCENTRATION CAMP

    1. Two events are to be held to commemorate the Liberation of Bergen Belsen. The camp was liberated in April 1945 by 113 Regt RA which had formerly been the 2/5^th Bn DLI. It is therefore fitting that the Association should take part in both ceremonies.

• INTEROPERA CONCERT - DARKNESS INTO LIGHT - IN DURHAM CATHEDRAL on 18 APRIL 2015. A grand concert of appropriate classical music, arranged by the organisation INTEROPERA will celebrate to 70^th Anniversary of the Liberation of Bergen-Belsen in April 1945. During this a representative party of two DLI WW2 Veterans and two Standard Bearers will process down the aisle of Durham Cathedral to Verdi’s Grand March from Aida, ahead of a party of children carrying shoes representing the shoes that the children of Belsen were required to make. Tickets are available for this concert at the following prices £22 (£22 (Nave); £15 (Transepts); £8 (Side Aisles) from the Gala Theatre Box Office: 03000 266600

• An event with Gateshead Jewish Community and Gateshead and Newcastle Branch DLI Association to take place on 19 April 2015. During this Lt Col John Heron and Lt Col Ted Kemp will present an abbreviated version of their lecture on the liberation of the camp which they previously presented at the DLI Museum. Any Veterans who were involved in the Relief of the camp and also invited. Such veterans if wishing to attend should make with Tom Nicholson of the Gateshead & Newcastle Branch on Tel: 07739904469 or tommy.nick(at)hotmail.co.uk. The event will take place at the Bewick Road, Community Centre, 103 Bewick Road, Gateshead, NE8 1TY, exact time to be notified later, but likely to be at 0930 hrs

18. INFANTRY TRAINING CENTRE

15.21.01 The dates of the Association visit to the Pass-off Parade for the Rifles Platoon at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison was notified as being Fri 29 May 2015. The visit will conclude with a lunch at the Sgts’ Mess. Branches which propose to send representative should inform The Association Secretary at the Rifles Office Durham of the number from their branch expected to attend by Thu 30 April 2015.

15.22 LIGHT INFANTRY REUNION – Sat 6 June 2015

15.22.01 Members who are proposing to travel to the Light Infantry Reunion on the Association Coach must get their bids for places into the Chester-le-Street Branch as soon as possible. The coach will leave on Fri 5 June and return on Sunday 7 June. Accommodation can also be booked at the Premier Inn, but it is emphasised that bids for this accommodation must be made now to avoid disappointment, as it is in extremely short supply.

15.22.02 Branch numbers attending this reunion must be with the Regt Secretary by Fri 27 March 2015.

15.23 BROOMSIDE COMMUNITY EVENT - SATURDAY 9^TH MAY 2015

15.23.01 Steve Robson has made this office aware of an event to take place in the Broomside Community Centre which he wants all Association members to be aware of and support if possible. Stuart Lawson will run a WW2 VE Day Celebrations event on Saturday 9^th May 2015 in the Broomside Community Centre and everyone is invited, especially Standard Bearers. It will be a dress up day in the dress code of the actual VE Day or blazer and berets for Standard Bearers.  The Point of Contact  (POC) is:  Stuart Lawson on 0191 5262747. There will also be a Service of Remembrance. All are Welcome.

15.24 LIBERATION OF ST JOOST

15.24.01 Last month’s Bulletin gave details of the fact the that village of Sint Joost village in the Netherlands was liberated 70 years ago from Nazi occupation (20-21 Jan 45) and that village is planning a small monument, to be unveiled on 2 May, to their liberators, and will carry the names of the KIA of the British 7th Armoured Division (better known as the Desert Rats). Also those of the 9th Durham Light Infantry (DLI). They suffered heavy losses, with 9 KIA and tens of wounded. The village "work group" is trying to trace veterans and relatives, and investigate whether there is interest from them to attend the ceremony on 2 May.

15.24.02 If you fought in Sint Joost, or know of veterans who did or would light to attend the ceremony in Sint Joost on 2 May please let the Rifles Office know as soon as possible so that the village may be informed.

15.25 DEATHS REPORTED THIS MONTH

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

Norman Goodwin,aged 93. In hospital, with his loving family by his side, after a short illness borne with great dignity and courage on March 16,

Eric Jones aged 93 on 28th Feb. WW2 Service with the11^th Battalion DLI  BEF, was taken prisoner by the Germans on 20th June on the retreat to Dunkirk. Released by US forces on 13th April 1945. He was then posted to the 6th Battalion DLI as a driver

May They Rest In Peace

 

Elvet Waterside

Durham

DLI ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES

The DLI Association Annual Indoor Games hosted by Houghton-le-Spring Branch of the Association took place at the Dubmire Royal British Legion Club at Fence Houses. 11 branches took part in the three disciplines, darts, dominoes and whist. The Darts competition was won by Spennymoor Branch, the dominoes by Bishop Auckland Branch, and the Whist by Chester-le-Street Branch. The Winners trophy was shared between the Houghton-le-Spring and Chester-le-Street Branches. Stockton Branch won the Wooden Spoon. The trophies were presented by the Chairman Maj Paul Wharton MM who thanked all who were involved in organising the event for their contribution to a successful and enjoyable day.

More photos HERE

The Rifles Get Two Awards in One Day

Representatives of the D Company The Rifles had to dash from the Freedom of the Borough of Hartlepool event to collect an award in Durham City. They were presented jointly with the 5th Royal Regiment Fusiliers the Hotspur Award by the honorary president of  the Northumbrian Association Mr. John Cuthbert.

The Hotspur Award is given to a person who has “through bold endeavour” done something to benefit or raise the profile of the North East.

More information about the Northumbrian Association  HERE

More Photos HERE

Rifles Freedom Parade

On Saturday the 3rd Battalion of the Rifles were granted the freedom of the borough of Hartlepool. The event took place in victory square in the town where the band, regulars, reservists and cadets assembled for the ceremony. After the inspections and formal part of the occasion the Rifles exercised their right by marching around the main shopping complex.

 

All the photos can be viewed here LINK

A further selection by Tony Griffiths LINK

Last chance to see...

Closes Sunday 22nd March

Make sure you don't miss out! Visit our exhibition and learn about the vital role the Durham Light Infantry played during the first crucial five months of the First World War. Explore how their role evolved and impacted on Britain both at home and abroad.

Nottingham Trams – A Fitting Tribute

   Representing all those unsung heroes from Nottinghamshire who served 100 years ago

A Notts amateur Historian is stepping up his appeal to have one of the new Nottingham trams named after an unsung hero who died a century ago. Andrew Adam from Southwell picked the name William Eric Woodward at random from a Nottingham City centre war memorial to see what he could find out about him.  Having researched his life he eventually turned it into a junior school presentation. ‘Eric’s story’ tracked his journey as one of the first scouts in Nottingham at Backwoods in Sherwood, his work at the John Player factory and finally to France in 1918 serving with the Durham Light Infantry. Eric lived on Gawthorne Street New Basford and the presentations were initially around the junior schools where Eric lived but then went further afield and around 2500 junior school children have now seem it.

Eric’s home, scout troop and church on Goldsmith Street Nottingham (passed by the tram) are still there 100 years on and he is also remembered on the John Players war memorial in the Imperial Tobacco factory in Nottingham where he was employed. The message in the school presentations was that essentially he could have been any of the pupils, living in New Basford with his younger sister and Mother his father having died in 1908 Eric just 15 at the outbreak of war in 1914. A number of the children who saw the presentations around Basford are currently scouts at Blackwood in Sherwood where Eric was a scout, some now tend his grave and the other war graves in the local cemetery.

Whilst Andrew appreciates that most trams will be named after ‘famous’ people he feels that, in these the five centenary years of the Great war, it would be fitting to have a tram named after Eric not as an individual but representing all those unsung heroes from Nottinghamshire who served 100 years ago. A tram not named after someone well known or famous but just one name picked at random from one of Nottinghamshire’s many war memorials, just of the many who served and died for their country, a fitting tribute.

The tram naming nomination process is now open and with the backing ,so far, of the War Memorials Trust, the local MP, current scouts at Blackwood, members of his church and the current and former employees at Imperial Tobacco Andrew hopes that we may yet see Eric’s elderly nephew (named Eric after his Uncle) naming a tram outside the church where he is remembered 100 years on.

Any support in nominating Eric representing all those who died would be appreciated. The straightforward nomination form is at www.thetram.net/name-a-tram

Corporal William Eric Woodward served with distinction and died at just 20 years old

Western Front Association Talk

Tuesday 17^th March, at the Royal Navy Club, William Street, Stockton, commencing at 8.00pm.

8^th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at Ypres, April 1915

Our speaker is Clive Bowery and he will be talking about the actions of 8 DLI at Boetleers Farm and Gravenstafel Ridge during the Second Ypres.

Having only been in Belgium a few days the battalion was thrust into action in this desperate battle and suffered heavy losses.

The battalion’s actions here would, as with most battalions have been recorded in a few paragraphs in the war diary.

However due to an enquiry into the battalions actions at Boetleers Farm a unique record has been preserved that shows what actually happened in great detail.

A small buffet is included.

Suggested Donation is £3.00."

Museum Talk: Life on the Frontline

Saturday 14 March 2.00pm

Current Riflemen reflect on their recent service in Afghanistan.

This talk will bring to life the personal experiences of a modern Rifleman and explain the role played by the Army today.

‘Life on the Frontline’ gives a voice to the Riflemen behind the headlines of Op Herrick, The British Army’s deployment in Afghanistan and exploring what it means to serve in The Rifles today from a variety of perspectives. This talk has been arranged with the Rifles Collection.

Tickets, priced £3.50 (plus admission, which is free with an Annual Pass) are available now from the DLI Shop or by calling us on 03000 266590.