Military Vehicle Rally:First Pictures

There was a good turnout on the first day of this years Military Vehicle Rally. Lets hope the weather holds out for tomorrow.

Link to all photos

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin August 2015

60. DURHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY PROJECT ON WW2 VETERANS

1. This project now has the following members taking part in it: Richard Atkinson (Gateshead & Newcastle), Charles Eagles (RHQ Group), Thomas Coyne (Stockton), George Iceton MM, (RHQ Group), Burnett Seyburn (Stockton). Many more names are required to make this project viable. Branch Secretaries are asked to publicise the exhibition with their WW2 Veterans and encourage them to respond. If Branch secretaries know of members who have responded on their own initiative the Association Secretary would like to know.

15.61 BROADCAST OF THE 30 000^th PLAYING OF THE LAST POST AT THE MENIN GATE, YPRES – 9 JULY 2015

1. Last month’s Bulletin missed out the attendance of Bishop Auckland Branch at Bishop Auckland Fire Station where the broadcast link with the Menin Gate worked perfectly. The Branch mustered 4 members plus Standard Bearers in addition to the attendance by the RBL, in the presence of the Deputy Town Mayor and other senior officials, as well as a good number of old soldiers who had attended on their own initiative.

2. Similarly Branch members attended a broadcast at Peterlee Fire Station, attended by Standards of the Association and British Legion, local councillors and personnel of the Fire Service.

3. It would be good to know whether there were other Association members attending other commemorations of this broadcast within the county.

61. COMMEMORATION OF THE 70^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORY OVER JAPAN

    1. A representative party from the DLI Association attended a Commemoration of the Victory over Japan at Trinity House, Newcastle with the Royal Marines Association, (Tyneside), and the Corporation of Trinity House (Newcastle) in the presence of HM’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Tyne & Wear. Mr Burnett Seyburn (2 DLI & Stockton Branch) who had been in Singapore at the end of WW2 represented the Durham Light Infantry, the only northern infantry regiment to be present in the Far East at the time, accompanied by Standard Bearer Mr Brian Anderson (Darlington & Newton Aycliffe Branch), Bugle Major Derek Corbett (Durham ACF Band & Bugles), Lt Col (Retd) JR Heron TD (DLI Association Secretary), Major (Retd) AJP Watson TD (Event Co-ordinator) and Lt Col (Retd) E Kemp TD (Escort to Mr Seyburn).

61. DLI ASSOCIATION DRAW TICKETS 2015

    1. DLI Association Draw Tickets counterfoils and cash should now be handed in at the Rifles Office. Counterfoils must reach the Association Secretary by Wednesday 9 September to be included in the draw.

    2. The Secretary thanks those Secretaries who returned tickets, and also those who have already returned counterfoils.

61. DLI ASSOCIATION RAFFLE – 13 SEPTEMBER 2015

    1. As well as the Association Draw mentioned in para 15.63 the Association runs a ticket raffle at the band concert on the Sunday afternoon of the Reunion at the College of St Hild and St Bede. Branches are requested to bring suitable prizes for this draw, along the lines of those brought for the Indoor Games. The more prizes the better for the raffle. Prizes can be handed in at the Rifles Office or at the Association shop at the college on Reunion Day.

61. DLI REUNION LUNCH TICKETS

15.65.01 Tickets for the Reunion lunch in Hild-Bede are available from the Rifles Office now at £13.50 each. Entry to the lunch cannot be gained without a ticket. Branches which have not already applied for them should do so now, to give an indication to the College on numbers. The ticket application form can be found as part of the Reunion General Instruction issued at the DLI Executive Meeting in June 2015. Copies of this can be obtained from the Secretary if required.

61. FINAL ISSUE OF THE DURHAM BUGLE

    1. Some packs of the final issue of the Durham Bugle are still awaiting collection at the Rifles Office Durham. Branch representatives who have not already done so are asked to collect them at their earliest convenience.

61. VC COMMEMORATIVE STONES

    1. The VC commemorative stones which will celebrate the award of the Victoria Cross to all British soldiers are being distributed to local authorities. Ceremonies of commemoration will take place at each location relevant to the VC holder.

    2. The ceremony for Thomas Kenny will take place at Wheatley Hill on 4 November 2015. Details of timings etc will be confirmed. Support from DLI Association Branches and Standard Bearers will be requested when more details are known.

61. STOCKTON BRANCH BARBEQUE

    1. Stockton Branch DLI Association held their Branch Barbeque at the Elm Tree Social Club on Sunday 9 August beginning at 1400 hrs. Members with their wives, partners and families from Stockton, Hartlepool, Consett & Stanley, Darlington & Newton Aycliffe branches attended, in total around 80 people. Stockton Branch intends to make this an annual event, and extends to members from other branches an invitation to spend the afternoon there on 10 August 2016. In future it will always occur on the Sunday nearest 9 August annually, beginning at 1400 hrs.

61. DEDICATION OF A HEADSTONE FOR EWARD HENRY PRATT

15.67.01 A headstone for the grave of 201248 Pte Edward Henry Pratt of the former 5 DLI recently placed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission will be dedicated at Darlington West Cemetery on Wednesday 2 September at 1100hrs. The Ceremony is to be conducted jointly by the Reverend Christopher Pearson Rector of St Clare’s Newton Aycliffe and the DLI Chaplain the Rev Kenneth Crawford. A Bugler of The Rifles will sound the Last Post and Reveille. Wreaths will be laid by Edward’s family, the Newton Aycliffe Historical Society and a representative of the DLI Association. As Edward had been a member of 5^th Bn DLI representatives and a standard bearer will attend from the Stockton Branch DLI Association. Branch members and a standard bearer from the Darlington & Newton Aycliffe Branch will also be present. The local MP and the Council Leader, Lt Col (Retd) RS ‘Bob’ Fleming TD, and local councillors will be in attendance. The ceremony is to be followed up by a reception in Aycliffe Village Hall. Other members of the Association are welcome to be present.

61. MILITARY VEHICLE RALLY

    1. For those members interested in WW2 Military Hardware, a reminder that the North East Military Vehicle Club holds its Annual Rally at the DLI Museum on 30 & 31 August 2015. The DLI Museum Friends will also be present at this event publicising the Friends’ Association and giving advice about family history research.

62. ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS CARDS AND CALENDARS

    1. DLI Association Christmas cards and Calendars for 2016 are available for sale at the Rifles Office. They follow the theme of the Dedication of the DLI Statue in Durham Market Place on Reunion Day 2014 and are particularly focussed on the DLI Association. Many members will be able to see themselves on the calendar pages. They are priced as follows:

Cards Price P&P Total

10 Cards @ 50p each £ 5.00 £1.00 £ 6.00

20 Cards @ 50p each £10.00 £1.50 £11.50

30 Cards @ 50p each £15.00 £2.00 £17.00

Calendars

1 Calendar @ 4.00 each £ 4.50 £2.50 £ 7.00

Each calendar is supplied with an envelope for ease of posting to your friends.

2. These items can be collected free of postal charges from the Rifles Office. They will also be on sale at the Association shop on Reunion Sunday.

61. DLI V-NECK PULLOVERS IN RIFLE GREEN

    1. V-Neck pullovers are now available on sale at the Rifles Office and at the Association shop on Reunion Sunday. We have been able to access a new supplier, so they a little more expensive than formerly. However they are really good quality. They are available as a special promotion at £25.00 each. The following sizes are available: 42, 44, 46, 48, 50/52.

61. DEATHS REPORTED

    1. These deaths have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.

    2.  

    Albert Victor Walkington, born20 December 1922, died 24 June 2015 aged 93.Served for WW2 duration in the DLI and in the Parachute Regiment. Demobilized after peacekeeping duties in Palestine

    Major John Bryan Tonkinson (‘Tonk’) MBE

    Born13 November 1928 died July 2015.

    He served with 1 DLI in Berlin, Korea (as Adjutant), 6 DLI as Adjutant, Brigade Adjutant (DAAG) Light Division, GSO2 to Gen Sir Michael Carver in MOD.Was also former President Durham & Cleveland Branch BKVA.

    Albert Hedley, born 3 Oct 1930 died 14 July 2015.

    Served with 1 DLI in Berlin & Korea.Was a member of the Durham & Cleveland Branch of BKVA and the Durham Branch DLI Association

    Billy Sanderson (Sandy) who died early Aug 2015. Sandy was in C Coy 1DLI.

    Derek Thompson, died11 August in the University of Durham Hospital.Derek served in 1DLI in Korea 1951-53.

    IP Henry Bird, died 20 August 2015 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Served Durham Light Infantry

    Kenneth Leslie Scott, died Friday 14 August 2015.Served as a Platoon Sergeant in the DLI.

62. May They Rest In Peace

63. 

64. Elvet Waterside

    Durham

    15 August 2015

Military Vehicle Rally

The Annual Military Vehicle Rally takes place on Bank Holiday Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August from 10am to 4pm. Come along and see around 70 superbly restored military vehicles, Living History Displays, stalls and activities for all ages...free parking and of course the outdoor show is free!

    

WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED -Free Concert

You may not be aware of the WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED organisation which works to assist veterans who have suffered mental, physical, emotional or social damage during their military service to get their lives on track again

You may not be aware that Walking With The Wounded is shortly to embark on its next adventure, a 1,000 mile Walk through the UK. We are passing through the North East the weekend of 31 Aug, and are holding an outdoor concert at the Sage with the Military Wives on 3 Sep.

If you can support WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED by attending this free concert at The Sage on 3 September. You will be in for a treat. A great night out and supporting those veterans we care most about.