The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin December 2016

16.73 SEASONS GREETINGS

16.73.01 The Chairman, Major Paul Wharton MM, the Vice Chairman, Major Chris Lawton MBE DL, the Secretary, Lt Col John Heron TD, and the Rifles Office Administration Officer Mrs Shirley Nicholson extend to all Association members their season’s greetings and best wishes for the 2017, coupled with their thanks to all members for their enthusiastic support of the Association activities and enterprises which have taken place throughout 2016.

16.73.02 With your support we anticipate an equally successful year in 2017.

16.74 RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

16.74.01 On 29^th November 2016 three members of the Association were honoured to attend a Reception given at Buckingham Palace by The Queen to celebrate the Patronages and Affiliations of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy. They were Major Paul Wharton MM, Lt Col John Heron TD and Mr Michael Coulson of the Durham Branch of the Association.

75. WARNING ORDER-DLI EXECUTUVE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2017

    1. This will take place on Wednesday 19 April 2017 at 1400 hrs at the Rifles Office Durham. Branches are asked to ensure that they have a representative to attend this meeting

    2. An agenda for the meeting will be issued by the Secretary in due course

16.76 DLI ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES 2017

16.76.01 The DLI Association Indoor Games for 2017 have been awarded to the Hartlepool Branch

16.76.02 The Games will take place on Sunday 19 March 2017 at The Belle View Social Club, Kendal Rd, Hartlepool TS25 1QU.

16.76.03 Hartlepool Branch will be responsible for all arrangements at the venue and will liaise closely with the Secretary in terms of the lunch menu and tickets.

16.76.04 Rules for the conduct of the Games can be seen at Annex A to this Bulletin. The Entry Form can be seen at Annex B to this Bulletin.

77. ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS CARDS AND CALENDARS

    1. Association Calendars and Christmas Card are still available at the Rifles Office Durham.

    2. Calendars are priced at £5.00 and are accompanied by an enveloped for posting. Their theme is activities of the Association during the year and feature members of the Association.

    3. Christmas cards are available at £5.00 for 10. They are on the theme of the Battle of the Somme which took place 100 years ago in 1916.

77. WARNING ORDER FOR THE SUBMISSION OF BRANCH ACCOUNTS AND MEMBERSHIP RETURNS

    1. The deadline date for submission tto the Association Secretary is 17 February 2017.

    2. The format was tabled with the meeting papers, but can be obtained from the Association Secretary

    3. Both returns can be made of the same sheet.

78. PAYMENT OF BRANCH OUTSTANDING BILLS AND INVOICES

    1. Bearing in mind the need to complete the Branch Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2016 branches are asked to settle all outstanding bills and invoices as soon as possible.

77. DEATHS REPORTED

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

    2. Benjamin ‘Benny’ Hunter

       Roy Anthony Stoddart died 13 Oct 2016. Served with 2 Bn KOYLI in D Coy

       Gordon Rosser died 13 November 2016a ged 75 years. Served SCLI, 1LI, 6LI and ended his service as a Colour S/Sgt

       Nelson ‘Nelly’ Bassett died 13 November 2016.Served with SCLI and 1LI and ending his service as RSM

       John Thornby died 24 Nov 2016. Served DLI. Member of the Washington Branch DLI

       Clive Brown born in 1934 died on 16th Nov 2016 aged 82yrs. Served with 2 DLI and then 8 DLI. Former Bisley medal winner (machine gun)

       May They Rest in Peace

    3.  

78. 

    Elvet Waterside Durham,

    DH1 3BW

    10 December 2016

Train saluted by The Fusiliers

Virgin Trains has worked with The Fusiliers to dedicate a journey today to those who served their country in the Armed Forces.

The 06.00 service from Berwick to London King’s Cross, was saluted by serving Army personnel and veterans at Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, York and Retford stations.

The train, which hosted dozens of veterans and a military band on-board, was headed by Virgin Trains’ “Battle of Britain Memorial Flight” locomotive 91110, one of two of its locomotives which have been dedicated to the Armed Forces.

The Fusiliers’ corps of drums played the popular North East song “Blaydon Races” to welcome the veterans into London King’s Cross station shortly after 10.00 where they were joined by the commanding officer of the First Fusiliers, Lieutenant Colonel Jez Lamb MC, for a short ceremony.

Lieutenant Colonel Jez Lamb said: “We Fusiliers are incredibly proud of our rich heritage. This year, in particular, we remember the incredible deeds of the Fusiliers who served with such distinction 100 years ago.

“I am therefore very grateful to all the staff at Virgin Trains for this amazing gesture of support. The 'Remember the Fallen, Remembrance Journey' allowed us all to honour our forefathers' sacrifice in a very special and unique way. It was especially poignant this week as tomorrow will mark 100 years since the end of the Battle of the Somme.”

David Horne, Virgin Trains’ managing director for the east coast route, said: “Our 936-mile route serves a number of the UK’s Army regiments and the British Army's largest training establishment, Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.

“Many of our 3,100 staff, or their friends and family, have also served in the British Armed Forces, or continue to serve as reservists. We’re incredibly proud of them, and all of those men and women who have served their country.

“It’s been a privilege to dedicate a journey to them during the week of Remembrance Sunday, and for our train to have received a salute by The Fusiliers at stations across England.”

Virgin Trains’ Andrew Kelman, from Newcastle, volunteered to drive the train as he had served in The Fusiliers from 1996 to 2002.

Andrew, who started driving trains in 2008, said: “It was an absolute honour to drive the train today, and it was an emotional experience as it brought back many memories for me.

“I would not be where I am today without the things I learned serving in the Army, and the salutes we received at the stations were particularly special.”

The following photos are kindly reproduced with permission of Virgin Trains and Simon Williams, from Crest Photography

DLI ASSOCIATION CALENDAR FOR 2017

Annex A to Monthly Bulletin for November 2016

Photos and captions for the DLI Calendar 2017 (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

FRONT - Unveiling of DLI Lectern - N.M.A. 18 May

Maj Paul Wharton Chairman DLI Assoc, Brig Bob MacGregor-Oakford, Maj Chris Lawton Rifles Vice Chairman, and Buglers of the Light Division Buglers Association at the unveiling of a lectern to the DLI at the National Memorial Arboretum.

JANUARY - Association Indoor Games March 2016

Stockton Branch are Champions

Maj Wharton presents the Champions’ Trophies for the DLI Association Indoor Games to Stockton branch members John Gilder, Lt Col Ted Kemp, Terry Gilbert, John Patterson, Cliff McCormick, and John Hope

FEBRUARY Gravenstafel Ridge Ceremony at the Memorial at Hild-Bede 23 April 2016

Lt Col John Heron greets Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon, the College Principal Jan Clark and other guests at the Gravenstafel Ridge Retreat at the College of St Hild and St Bede in Apri

MARCH - Centenary Ales Launch – 8 May

Maj Paul Wharton Chairman, Lt Col John Heron & Association Standard Bearers with the Mayor and Mayoress of Durham at the Launch of DLI Centenary Ales at Newcastle.

APRIL - Unveiling of DLI Lectern - N.M.A 18 May

Members of the DLI Association gather at the DLI Memorial, for the unveiling of a lectern providing information about the Durham Light Infantry at the National Memorial Arboretum.

MAY - At the Stockton Don Bar - Stockton

Riders of the RBL Riders Association at the Don Bar in Stockton with members of the Stockton Branch DLI Association commemorating the first day of the Battle of the Somme 1^st July 1916

JUNE - Stockton Branch DLI Association With Some of The RBL Riders Association

Members of Stockton Branch DLI Association with Riders of the RBLRA at the Don Bar in Stockton on the 100^th Anniversary of the first day of the Somme battle 1 July

JULY - DLI Standards In Durham Cathedral Cloisters

The Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon speaks to the Controller of the Standards, Mr Michael Langelier, at the DLI Reunion on 11 September.

AUGUST - The Durham Light Infantry Association on Parade

Marching Contingents of the DLI Association on Parade on the College Green on Reunion Sunday September.

SEPTEMBER –DLI Veterans party at Thiepval

Durham Light Infantry veterans and others gather around the seat at Thiepval presented by the County of Durham to mark the participation in the Battle of the Somme by 18^th Pals Battalion DLI.

OCTOBER - Commemoration of the seat beside the bandstand on the bank of the River Wear

Members of the DLI Association at the seat in Durham dedicated to the DLI who fought at the Battle of the Somme, with the Mayor of Durham, Councillors of Durham County Council and Officials on 20 September

NOVEMBER - Maj Wharton presents a DLI Plaque, to the Vicar of St Paul’s Church Witton Park – 1^st Oct

Maj Paul Wharton presents a plaque to the Revd Elishiva Mechanic Vicar of St Paul’s Witton Park at the ceremony to commemorate the dark days of the Battle of the Somme

DECEMBER - Commemoration of the Award of the VC to Roland Bradford at Witton Park on 1 Oct

County Councillors, Parish Councillors, members of the DLI Association and their Padre with the vicar of Witton Park and local school children commemorate the Award of the VC to Brigadier-General Roland Boys Bradford.

FRONT BOTTOM – Old Comrades Together

In-Pensioner Arthur Teasdale with Brigadier Bob MacGregor-Oakford at the DLI Reunion on 11 September. Skippy Teasdale had made the journey from the Royal Hospital Chelsea especially for the Reunion.

 

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin November 2016

16.64 “THE FAITHFUL” INKERMAN DINNER

16.64.01 The “Faithful” Inkerman Dinner took place at the Dubmire RBL Club in Fence Houses on Friday 4 November 2016. 106 members sat down to dinner which was a remarkable number when considering the competing social events taking place that evening. Heading the top table was Mr Ralph Harrison (Chairman), Mr Brian Laverick (Secretary/Treasurer) and Lt Col John Heron TD (President), who were joined by Major Paul Wharton MM, (Chairman DLI Association) Major Chris Lawton MBE DL (Rifles Secretary Durham), Lt Col Jimmy Brown, Major John Jackson, Mr John Adey (Treasurer Chester-le-Street War Memorial Fund), Major Donald McDonald, Mr Colin Smith (Co-op Distribution Manager), Mr John Anderson (Dubmire RBL Club). Also present were Lt Col Ted Kemp, Major Brian Snaith, Major Chris Wheeler, Major Richard Booth, Major Mike Foster, Major Albert Armstrong, Major Mike van der Gucht, Capt Chris Matthews and Mr Peter Halligan. Mr Adey had committed a sum of £3000 from the no-longer-required funds of the Chester-le-Street Memorial Project, whose work was now complete, to the business of moving the VC Stone to its new location should this be required. Mr Colin Smith who provided the 1^st prize in the raffle also made a commitment to the project. A very good night was had by all.

LINK TO PHOTOS

16.65 “THE FAITHFUL” INKERMAN DINNER CLUB VICTORIA CROSS STONE CEREMONY

16.65.01 The Victoria Cross Stone ceremony organised by the “Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club took place for the last time at the VC Stone situated beside the former Durham Light Infantry Museum on Sunday 6 November 2016. A faithful few were present in the rain to mark the occasion, during which the names of all the DLI Soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross were read by the Chairman Mr Ralph Harrison who also spoke the words of the ‘Exhortation’. The life and gallantry of Sgt John Murray who was awarded his VC in New Zealand in 1864 was recalled by Lt Col John Heron TD. Wreaths were laid by Col Heron and Major Chris Lawton MBE DL. The Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force were present to sound a Fanfare, followed by the Last Post, & Reveille, following the commemorative silence. The assembled company sang the Regimental Hymn, ‘Abide with Me’, together for the last time at this location, finishing with the National Anthem. The ceremony was concluded with the call ‘No More Parades Today’, after which the company dispersed. Next Year it is hoped that the ceremony will take place at the VC Stone’s new site on Palace Green.

LINKTO PHOTOS

16.66 DURHAM CATHEDRAL FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

16.66.01 The traditional service of Remembrance prior top Remembrance day will take place at Durham Cathedral on Saturday 12^th November 2016. This year will see the largest Muster Parade to date from the military, emergency services, youth organisations, standards, veterans and Chelsea Pensioners.  The focus will be the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland.  The Battle of the Somme lasted 141 days ending on 18 November 1916. The British dead on the first day alone totalled 19,240 and by the end of the Battle there were over 1 million casualties.  The Battle of Jutland on 30 May/1 June 1916 was the largest, and most decisive sea battle of WW1. 

67. BILLINGHAM RBL /ARMY BENEVOLENT FUND LAUNCH OF THE 2016 POPPY APPEAL – 1 NOVEMBER 2016 AT BILLINGHAM FORUM

    1. Members of the Stockton Branch DLI Association were in evidence at the concert at the Billingham Forum on Tuesday 1^st November, where Billingham Branch Royal British Legion launched their 2016 Poppy Appeal. Terry Gilbert; Stockton Standard Bearer, Denis Grubb; RAFA Standard Bearer, Pat Coyle and were hosts and ushers. The event was attended by Major Chris Lawton MBE, DL (Rifles Secretary Durham) and Lt Col John Heron (Secretary SDLI Association) as well as many Stockton Branch members including 96 year old Tom Coyne.

67. FORMAL OPENING DLI COLLECTION AT SEVEN HILLS, SPENNYMOOR

    1. The DLI Durham Light Infantry Collection centre was formally opened on Thursday 3 November 2016 at the Seven Hills storage facility in Spennymoor. Here the collection can be stored in properly regulated conditions and made available for members of the public who wish to see it. All they have to do is to make a booking with staff to see the items of their interest which can be brought out of store by experienced staff. Members of the DLI Trustees following their morning meeting stayed for the opening where many were impressed at the storage potential of the facility. A newly commissioned inventory of all the Collection has recently been carried out. A number of items which had not been seen for a long time were re-discovered and brought onto the collections register. An area is available for research and study, with proper electronic links.

67. ORDINARY MEETING OF THE DLI EXECUTIVE WED 16 NOVEMBER 1400 HRS AT THE RIFLES OFFICE

16.68.01 A final reminder of this meeting is posted. All branches are asked to ensure the attendance of a branch representative.

67. DLI ASSOCIATION CALENDAR FOR 2017

16.69.01 The DLI Association Calendar for 2017 is available for sale at the Rifles Office.

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

16.69.03 The calendar has a range of photographs of events during 2016 in which the Association has taken part, from the Indoor Games in March to the celebration of the valour of Roland Boys Bradford on 1^st October showing many Association members at these events.

16.69.04 The photographs comprising the calendar with their captions can be seen at Annex A to this bulletin.

16.69.05 The cost of the calendar is £5.00. It is the same shape as last year so will fit onto your wall in the same place as previously. They can be collected free of postal charges from the Rifles Office. For those subscribers who wish to have them sent to their home address the cost is £6.00 per calendar.

16.69.06 The calendars will be available at the Ordinary Executive meeting on 16 November.

67. DLI ASSOCIATION AND DLI FRIENDS WORKING TOGETHER GROUP

    1. Following the successful meeting of Presidents, \Chairmen and Secretaries from the Association with the DLI Friends and the Education staff at the ‘Working Together Meeting’ at Seven Hills, it is hoped that the various branches are getting together with their members to work out how best they can help. A development meeting to take this forward will be held in the New Year when it is hoped the branches will have plenty of ideas to take this forward.

67. DEATHS REPORTED

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

    2. Benjamin ‘Benny’ Hunter died: 3 November 2016. He was a former DLI Bugler and a former Member of the Hartlepool Branch

       Francis George Lorraine died: 2 November 2016. He served with Durham Light Infantry

       Steve Barker born: 14 Oct 1916 and died: 9 November 2016. He served with the Durham Light Infantry in WW2 and was POW .He was a Centenarian Member of the Chester-le-Street Branch DLI Association

       May They Rest in Peace

    3. 

       Elvet Waterside Durham,

       DH1 3BW

       13 November 2016

Festival of Remembrance Concert-Durham Cathedral

Saturday 12 November, 7.00pm

Narrated by Alasdair Hutton with music by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, 102 Battalion Pipe Band, Durham Musical Theatre Company, George Colley Singers and Hartlepool Community Choir. 

A poignant and moving concert of Remembrance with a focus on the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland. 

Tickets: £10 - £18 available from the Gala Theatre 03000 266600.

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin October 2016

BATTLEFIELD TOUR

16.68.01 Grenville Holland of the Durham Branch send us this report on the Somme Battlefield Tour

Association Visit to the Somme - 18^th-23^rd September 2016

On Sunday 18^th September members of the Association headed to Hull and an overnight crossing to Zebrugge. On arrival they headed swiftly south to the first event of the day: the unveiling of a memorial seat close the entrance of the Thiepval memorial.

Thereafter, under the expert guidance of Clive Bowery and Harold Moses, we were first taken along the front line of July 1^st 1916 Montauban to Mametz, Fricourt, Shelter Wood (where the 15 Bn DLI went into action on the very first day), then on to Lochnager and its massive bomb crater. We then traced the front line round past Ovilliers and Authiuille Wood before reaching Arras and our accommodation in the local Holiday Inn.

Throughout the week we enjoyed beautiful late summer sunshine. On the Tuesday morning we made our way via Serre (which saw action by the 18 Bn DLI) to Sheffield Memorial Park recalling here the tragedy of the Pals battalions, with a particularly evocative call at the trench that launched the Accrington Pals. Then we visited Serre No 1 Cemetery to hear about the tragic death on July 1^st 2016 of Horace Iles, who was just 16 years of age. Next we returned to Thiepval and joined the RBL Service of Remembrance, followed by a leisurely lunch break at Avril William’s place. Afterwards we covered the advance of the 6^th, 8^th and 9^th Bns DLI which included the menacing and deadly Butte de Warlencourt. Finally we made our way to Hermies British Cemetery to visit the grave of Roland Boys Bradford, DSO, MC, VC

On Wednesday we set off to Vimy Ridge and the imposing Canadian war memorial looking out over the Douai plain. We then changed course for a while and followed the route in 1940 of the 8 Bn DLI and after lunch continued our investigation into the movements of 6 Bn DLI in the same phase of the conflict. Before returning to Arras we visited Wancourt where the DLI saw action at Easter 1917.

The following day, after dislodging 2 asylum seekers from the back axle of our coach, we headed back towards Zeebrugge stopping first at the remarkable Wellington Underground tunnels which were cut into old quarries at Arras close to the German front lines. Then we moved on to Notre Dame de Lorette and the French memorial to their fallen. Finally we made a quick visit to Loos and viewed the flat, featureless plains that saw deadly action in the early autumn of 1915. Then it was back to Zebrugge and the night sailing back to Hull.

59. SERVICE TO COMMEND THE BRAVERY OF ROLAND BOYS BRADFORD

    1. The service of commemoration of the bravery of Roland Boys Bradford VC, MC who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his extreme gallantly leading 151 Bde at the Battle of Warlencourt on 1^st October 1916, took place in the presence of HM Lord Lieutenant of the County of Durham, at St Paul’s Church Witton Park on Saturday 1 October 2016. The DLI Association Padre, the Revd Kenneth Crawford, conducted the service with the Revd Elishiva Mechanic, Priest-in-Charge St Paul’s Witton Park, accompanied by the Methodist Minister Revd Hodgson. Also present to read the poem ‘The Soldier’ by Rupert Brooke was Mrs Jacqui Holloway, mother of the late Capt Richard Holloway, RE, (SBS), killed in Action on 23 Dec 2013. Two buglers of The Rifles were present to sound the appropriate bugle calls as well as the Standards from Bishop Auckland, Darlington& Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor branches.  In addition to county and parish councillors, members of the parish, President of the DLI Association, Vice-President and Secretary, as well as officers of the former DLI and Light Infantry, and DLI Historian Mr Harry Moses were present on this, the 100^th Anniversary, of the award. Photographs were taken on the Green before a reception in the Methodist Community Hall.

    2. LINK to Photos

59. LONDON CENOTAPH PARADE 2016

    1. London Cenotaph Parade Information. Members will be pleased to hear that all 26 names submitted by the DLI Association Secretary from the Branches to attend the London Cenotaph Parade on 13 November were passed by London Security and the tickets have been issued.

    2. The Secretary has made the assumption that all the named personnel are travelling together on the Association Coach, run by Sunderland Branch. Therefore all the tickets have been sent to the Sunderland Branch Secretary, Mr Michael McMahon, to be issued to individual members of the party on the coach. 

    3. All personnel are reminded that they must carry with them their issued ticket and a either their passport, their picture driving licence or some other means of identity which shows a photograph.

    4. If any of the named personnel are travelling independently they should contact Mr McMahon directly on  07504 000160 or on email at mcmahonm59(at)live.co.uk who will send their tickets directly to their home address. Only personnel who are carrying the documents named above will be allowed to take part in the parade.

59. DLI ANNUAL DRAW RESULTS 2016

    1. The Annual Draw was conducted on Thursday 8 September by the Secretary DLI Association accompanied by the Rifles Secretary Major C Lawton MBE DL and the Administration Officer, Rifles Durham, Mrs Shirley Nicholson.

    2. The results were as follows:

    3. 

1. All prize winners have been informed by letter individually by the Rifles Secretary Durham and the winning cheques sent out to them.

59. DLI ASSOCIATION AND DLI FRIENDS WORKING TOGETHER GROUP

    1. Members from 10 of the 14 branches of the DLI Association and members of the DLI Friends, a total of 22 people, met together on 18 October at Sevenhills to explore ways in which the Association can work with the DLI Friends to promote the work of the Education staff at Sevenhills in enhancing the knowledge of the Durham Light Infantry within the schools of the county. Everyone had the opportunity to have a guided tour of the Sevenhills facility, to see how the DLI Collection was being looked after. Each branch agreed to take the message back to their branches to encourage members of their branch to engage in the education programme run by the Sevenhills education staff in their local area to raise awareness of the part played by the Durham Light Infantry and the Durham soldier generally n the history of the county.

    2. Representatives of the Branches and the DLI Friends will meet again before the end of the year to take this project forward.

59. DEATHS REPORTED

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

    2. David Buckingham,served 7 Bn Light Infantry

       Major Charles Ford of Penzance, Cornwall. Born 29 Nov 1927, died 28 August 2016 aged 88 years. Served Durham Light Infantry and retired 1965

       R M “Dickie” Dawson died 8 October 2016. He served with Royal Pioneer Corps, 8^th Bn DLI and was

       also a long time member of Chester-le-Street Branch of DLI Association

       Mr Ian McSeveney died on Monday 10 October 2016, aged 66. He served with 3 LI

60. May They Rest in Peace

    

61. Elvet Waterside Durham,

    DH1 3BW

    21 October 2016

Bench and Lectern Unveiled in Durham

A second bench and lectern has been unveiled on the Racecourse in Durham.

LINK TO ALL PHOTOS

A full report can be read at Durham Advertiser

Durham Cathedral

Bench and Lectern Unveiled

A new bench and lectern  to commemorate the Durham Pals battalion was unveiled on the Somme yesterday .

A full report can be found here. Durham Advertiser

100 Years Ago Today

EXACTLY 100 years ago today  ( Sept 9 ) was the Durham Light Infantry’s bloodiest day on the Somme.

More information and details of  the 405  who were killed can be found at The Durham Advertiser

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin September 2016

59. DLI ANNUAL REUNION

    1. The Association reports a successful DLI Reunion in 2016. The new parade format was shown to be successful allowing the Lord Lieutenant, Sue Snowdon, the opportunity to speak to many more of those on parade. The idea of a non-marching contingent was also successful allowing many Association members, not now fit enough to march, to share in the parade, which is always enjoyable for former soldiers. An interesting aspect is that the number parading in the two marching contingents was up on the normal parading numbers which was a somewhat unexpected benefit. The Association Chairman noted that numbers attending the cathedral service were up, hopefully in response to his earlier appeal, Most if not all branches paraded their standard, which were co-ordinated by John Pepper. The contribution to the parade organisation made by Michael Langelier and John Norton is appreciated.

    2. The Association Secretary apologises for the shuttle-bus service which was not successful. He has since has had discussions with the coach company which agrees that it did not fulfil the contract despite their driver having a correct copy of the contract and a refund will be paid to the Association. The Association Secretary is grateful for the patience and forbearance of those Association members and their wives who were delayed at the Porter’s Lodge of the College Green for so long after the cathedral service, and thanks the Cadet Force Band mini coach for coming to the rescue those stranded there.

    3. Numbers at the College of St Hild and St Bede were around their usual number. There were good sales at the Association shop, particularly of the Association Christmas Card, of which there is still a good supply available at the Rifles Office as well as other items. Thanks for this go to Shirley Nicholson, Admin Officer of the Rifles Office who ran the stall all day. The new DLI Friends stall run by Eddy Castling , assisted by Naomi and Carolyn was also successful in term of sales and information about the DLI Friends who have replaced the former DLI Museum Friends. Thanks go to them too.

    4. One again an enormous debt of thanks must go to Major Colin Miller, Director of Music and Derek Corbett, Bugle Major of the Band and Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force which supported the reunion in every way and then played for the Concert in the Caedmon Hall throughout the afternoon. Their support cannot be over-exaggerated. Without the Band & Bugles the Reunion weekend would be a pale reflection of what it is.

    LINKS TO PHOTOS John Attle  T Griffiths

60.  

    1. REUNION DINNERS The usual 1^st and 2^nd Bn WOs and Sgts Mess Dinner took place on 9^th September at the Durham City Rugby Club and the Officers Rifles Northern Dinner on 10 Sept in the Joachim Room of St Hild’s College.

59. DLI SEATS

    1. DLI Memorial seats are being placed at two locations during the week beginning 19 September. These have been financed by Durham County Council in association with the DLI Trustees and are to record the part played by the DLI in the Battle of the Somme .

Seat 1 This seat is to be located on the Somme itself.  To be dedicated in a ceremony on 19 September 2016 at the Somme beside Thiepval.  The Association Battlefield Tour party are hoping to take part in this ceremony, if it can disembark quickly from the Ferry in Zeebrugge and make its way without traffic congestion straight to Thiepval. We are told the ceremony is taking place at 1130hrs. 

Seat 2 This seat is to be located at Durham, on the Racecourse side of the river beside the bandstand.  It is identical to the one being dedicated on the Somme. The ceremony is to take place on Wed 21 September at 5.15pm beside the bandstand on the Racecourse side of the River Wear. DLI Association members (and any Branch Standards) are invited.  The DLI Association Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary as well as some other key Association personnel figures cannot be present as they are on the battlefield tour.

59. WW1 SOLDIER SEARCH REQUEST PROJECT

    1. In the August DLI Association Bulletin the Secretary spoke about the launch of a WW1 Soldier Search Request Project.

    2. Unfortunately, this was advertised as a DLI Friends and DLI Association shared project.  This is NOT the case. The DLI Friends, based at Sevenhills, are not involved with this project. The DLI Association is launching this as a separate, independent project with its own independent researcher.

    3. Peter Nelson, who is a volunteer helper at the Sevenhills Research Unit, has asked that it be made absolutely clear that any work he does at Sevenhills is done solely on behalf of the Durham County Council and in support of the DLI Collection. Any personnel searches requested at Sevenhills will be directed to the Durham County Record Office which fulfils such requests on behalf of Durham County Council.

59. DLI ASSOCIATION BATTLEFIELD TOUR TO THE SOMME

    1. A party of around 30 people from the Association with their wives and/or partners are making a 6 day, 5 nights tour of the Somme Battlefield following in the footsteps of 151 Brigade DLI Units, leaving Durham at 1300 hrs Sunday 18 Sept and returning 23 Sept. They are travelling by coach, crossing by the Hull to Zeebrugge Ferry and are being accommodated at the Holiday Express Inn at Arras. As stated above they hoped to be able to attend the dedication of the DLI Memorial Seat at Thiepval on the morning of the 19 Sept. This tour arranged by Galina International Battlefield Tours. The itinerary is being arranged by Clive Bowery and Harry Moses (author of several published works on the Durham Light Infantry).

59. SERVICE TO COMMEND THE BRAVERY OF ROLAND BOYS BRADFORD

    1. This confirms the service of celebration of the bravery of Roland Boys Bradford who lost his life while leading 151 Bde at the Battle of Warlencourt on 1^st October 1916 for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. This service will be held on Saturday 1 October 2016 at 11.00am, at St Paul’s Church Witton Park, DL14 …  The DLI Association Padre, the Revd Kenneth Crawford, will conduct the dedication service.  A bugler will be present to sound the appropriate bugle calls.  In addition to this the Commemoration will take place in the presence of HM Lord Lieutenant of the County of Durham, members of the family, local councillors and the great and good of County Durham

    2. This occasion is therefore particularly significant to all members of the DLI Association and members of the former Durham Light Infantry.  The Chairman is hoping that we can have a really good turnout of members and branch standards at the commemoration. I would be grateful if branch Chairmen would be aware of this as the date is very close and arrangements may need to be made.

    3. The dedication of the ‘paving stone’ to Roland Boys Bradford will take place in March 2017 of which you will receive notification in due course.

59. WARNING ORDER – DLI ASSOCIATION ORDINARY EXECUTIVE MEETING – 16 NOV 2016

    1. Branch Secretaries are reminded of the DLI Executive Ordinary Meeting to be held on Wed 16 November at 1400 hrs at the Rifles Office Durham.

    2. All branches are reminded that they should send a representative to this meeting.

    3. The decision on the location of the Association Indoor Games 2017 will be decided at this meeting. Branches bidding to host the games should be ready to present their bid at the meeting.

59. THE “FAITHFUL” INKERMAN DINNER CLUB’S DLI VICTORIA CROSS STONE

    1. As most of you already know discussions are taking place regarding the proposed move of “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club’s Victoria Cross Stone from its present position outside the former DLI Museum to a new location. It is hoped that this will be in front of Bishop Cosin’s Hall on Palace Green. At present this location has been given approval in principle, and it is now going through further decision making committees. Because of this it cannot be definitely stated where the VC Stone Ceremony will take place on 6 November 2016, the Sunday before Remembrance Day, when the ceremony traditionally takes place. If the stone has not been relocated by then the ceremony will take place at the old site beside the Museum. If this is the case there will be no refreshments reception. This is regretted. If the stone has been moved by then the ceremony will take place on Palace Green, where it is hoped there would be a reception. You will be kept up to date about the arrangements in due course. Mr Ralph Harrison (Chairman) or Mr Brian Laverick (Secretary/Treasurer) will have the necessary details.

59. DINNER CLUB OF THE FORMER 7 BATTALION OFFICERS AND SENIORS

    1. Officers and Seniors of the former 7 Battalion the Light Infantry should by now have received information and a bidding return for this dinner which takes place on Sat 15 October 2016.

    2. If you should have received this invitation and have not done so, or know of others in this position please contact Marc Stuart on marc.stuart@btinternet.com or 07777 676090.

    3. Please note that the dinner takes place at the Gilesgate Armoury Reserve Army Centre not at its former location of the Eden Armoury in Bishop Auckland.

59. COMMEMORATION OF THE LIFE OF RICHARD DERRICK TURNBULL

    1. At the request of the Guisborough Branch of the RBL, the DLI Association has sent a Regimental Shield (Light Infantry) to Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, North Yorkshire, to be incorporated in a memorial to all former pupils killed in action with the military services. Richard Derrick Turnbull was one former pupil who became a member of the 3^rd Bn The Light Infantry and who was killed while on duty with 3LI in Belfast on 26 June 1977.

59. DEATHS REPORTED

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

    2. Dominic Lambert died on 4 August 2016 aged 82 years.He served with the DLI WIA 27 April 1953 in Korea

       George Forster a long-time member of Durham City Branch DLI Association

       Septimus Bainbridge Jobes, died 10 November 2015. Served in DLI during WW2

       Major (Retired) Fiji Kotwall RAMC, died: 17August 2016. Former Medical Officer (RMO2) 7 Bn Light Infantry

       Brian Paley died on 31 August 2016. He served in 1DLI in Berlin and Korea. Former Chairman of Consett & Stanley Branch and continuing member of the DLI Association until recently

       Arnold Dunne, died: 24 August 2016.in the Greenbank Care Home. He served with the RAF REGT and was a long time member of the Chester-le-Street Branch DLI Association

        

       May They Rest in Peace

    3.  

60. 

61.  

62. Elvet Waterside Durham,

    DH1 3BW

    16 September 2016

Free Talk– Preston Park Museum

Thursday 22 September 7 – 8pm

Spence and the Journey of the  5th Durham Light Infantry Presented by Christopher Young,  Collections Assistant, Preston Park Museum

Discover more about Colonel Spence, his family life, interests and career. The talk will also cover the journey of the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, their battles, life at rest and profiles on the brave men, most of whom originated from Stockton and surrounding areas.

Advanced booking required for all talks. Reserve your place by telephoning  01642 527375.

OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSIONS
Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm (last admission 3.30pm) Closed Mondays except bank holidays and during school holidays Adult: £2.50 Concession/child: £1.50 Family ticket (2 adults +4 concessions): £5 All tickets are valid for one year from date of issue.
PRESTON PARK MUSEUM & GROUNDS YARM ROAD, STOCKTON-ON-TEES TS18

DLI Christmas Card

The 2016 Christmas Card is on sale at the Rifles Office

It commemorates the 100 Anniversary of the battle of the Somme. The front shows the Thiepval Memorial, the rear some information about the battle of the Somme. The inside is suitably Christmassy. The front and Back of the card can be seen below. The order form is below:

 

Rear of the card text

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME

Thiepval Memorial has inscribed on its arches the names of more than 72000 soldiers who fought at the Battle of the Somme and who have no known grave. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and built between 1928 and 1932. It is the largest Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing in the world.

The Battle of the Somme began with the huge explosion on Hawthorn Ridge at 7.28am on 1st July 1916. This explosion resulted in a huge crater which exists to this day known as the Lochnagar Crater.

On hearing the explosion, officers’ whistles were sounded and the British troops emerged from their trenches to begin the crossing of no-man’s land towards the German trenches, which had been subjected to a British artillery bombardment for 5 days. The British troops had been told the German barbed wire had been cut and their trenches destroyed so they would be able to advance to the German front line unopposed.

This was not to be. The German wire in most places was intact and the German trenches many feet deep had not been much damaged. The Germans emerged from their trenches, and engaged the British troops with carefully sited machine guns. The British infantry advanced into a wall of machine gun fire and sustained enormous casualties. Approximately 60,000 British soldiers were killed on that day and what ground was captured was in most cases given up within days.

It was the blackest day the British Army ever faced. Two Durham Light Infantry Battalions, the 15th and the 18th ‘Pals’ were deployed on that day. The 18th suffered 58% casualties.

Other DLI battalions that fought on the Somme in the following days were the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 19th. The Battle of the Somme continued until 18th November when it ground to a halt.

Price List

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin August 2016

52. DLI REUNION 2016

1. In the July Monthly Bulletin the dates of the DLI Reunion were given as 11-13 September. The dates are in fact 9-11 September; as follows: Fri 9 Sept: W02 & Sgt Mess Dinner, Sat 10 Sept: Rifles Officers Northern Dinner, Sun 11 Sept: DLI Reunion. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
   
2. The DLI Association Parade forms up at 1145 hrs on 11 September in the Cathedral Close. Members should remember that the Association are not parading in Branches, but are forming 2 Marching Contingents.
   
3. Non Marching Contingent It is hoped that as many members as possible who are not up to taking part in the march-past will parade with the non-marching contingent. In this way they will still be a part of the parade which will be inspected by HM’s Lord Lieutenant for County Durham Mrs Sue Snowdon and other senior officers, and boost parade numbers generally.
   
4. Cathedral Service It is hoped as many members as possible will attend the cathedral service which takes place immediately after the parade, and which is a core part of the DLI Reunion and during which the DLI Roll of Honour will be read.
   
5. The Re Association will be providing free shuttle minibuses on Reunion Day for the convenience of Association members and families to run from the Sands Car Park to the Cathedral Close from 1030 -1130 hrs, and from the cathedral (after the service) to the College of Hild & Bede.
   
6. The Band & Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force will play at the Reunion Parade in the Cathedral Close as well as at the concert which takes place in the Caedmon Hall at the College of St Hild & St Bede in the afternoon.
   
7. A bar will be provided in the Caedmon Room. The Association has been assured that this bar will be properly manned during the afternoon.
   
8. Those who wish to will be able purchase tickets from the Rifles Office for the lunch in the college dining room. These must be pre-ordered.
   
9. The DLI Association/DLI Friends shop will be open as usual during the course of the afternoon.

.

52. THE LAHORE TRADES CUP

16.53.01 Sunday 31^st July saw the county cricket clubs of Durham and Yorkshire compete for the Lahore Trades Cup at the Emirates Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street. The Lahore Cup was originally a Football Cup which was won in perpetuity by the DLI in British India and is now part of the DLI Silver Collection. The Cup was offered for competition between the two clubs but it is some years since it was last competed for. This match was of 50 overs in the Royal London One-Day Cup competition. The match was keenly fought by the two teams and was narrowly won by 15 runs by Durham It is proposed the competition for the Lahore Trades Cup should continue in future years. The match was played in the presence HM Lord Lieutenant of the County of Durham, the Trustees of the DLI and the KOYLI as well as representatives of Durham County Council, the DLI Association and DLI Friends. Fanfares were by Buglers of D Rifles Coy 5 Bn RRF.

52. DLI ASSOCIATION/DLI FRIENDS - PRESIDENT’S/CHAIRMEN’S MEETING

1. At a recent DLI Executive Meeting there was a proposal from the Secretary to invite the Presidents/Chairmen of all the Branches to a meeting to be held at the Sevenhills facility to introduce them to the facility and to discuss ways of involving branch members in outreach work with the DLI Friends.
   
2. Presidents/Chairmen have received a letter inviting them to this meeting which will be held at 1000 hrs on Tuesday 18 October at Sevenhills.

52. DLI ASSOCIATION WW1 SOLDIER SEARCH REQUEST PROJECT
    1. Are you looking for a WW1 soldier ancestor? The DLI Association are now in a position to offer a WW1 soldier Search Request available to DLI Association members and the general public to discover an ancestor’s military history. There is a charge for this work, but all profits made from this project come to the DLI Association. Details of this scheme can be found in Annex A to this Bulletin.

52. DLI CHRISTMAS CARD

1. he 2016 Christmas Card is on sale at the Rifles Office
   
2. It commemorates the 100 Anniversary of the battle of the Somme. The front shows the Thiepval Memorial, the rear some information about the battle of the Somme. The inside is suitably Christmassy. The front and Back of the card can be seen below. The order form is below:

The Thiepval Memorial
100^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
Thiepval Memorial has inscribed on its arches the names of more than 72000 soldiers who fought at the Battle of the Somme and who have no known grave. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and built between 1928 and 1932. It is the largest Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing in the world.
The Battle of the Somme began with the huge explosion on Hawthorn Ridge at 7.28am on 1st July 1916. This explosion resulted in a huge crater which exists to this day known as the Lochnagar Crater.
On hearing the explosion, officers’ whistles were sounded and the British troops emerged from their trenches to begin the crossing of no-man’s land towards the German trenches, which had been subjected to a British artillery bombardment for 5 days. The British troops had been told the German barbed wire had been cut and their trenches destroyed so they would be able to advance to the German front line unopposed.
This was not to be. The German wire in most places was intact and the German trenches many feet deep had not been much damaged. The Germans emerged from their trenches, and engaged the British troops with carefully sited machine guns. The British infantry advanced into a wall of machine gun fire and sustained enormous casualties. Approximately 60,000 British soldiers were killed on that day and what ground was captured was in most cases given up within days.
It was the blackest day the British Army ever faced. Two Durham Light Infantry Battalions, the 15th and the 18th ‘Pals’ were deployed on that day. The 18th suffered 58% casualties.
Other DLI battalions that fought on the Somme in the following days were the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 19th. The Battle of the Somme continued until 18th November when it ground to a halt.
Front Back

THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS CARD 2016
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
Cards can be collected free of charge from the Rifles Office.
Each card is supplied with an envelope.
Order Form
When completed lease send is order form to The Secretary. DLI Association, The Rifles Office, Elvet Waterside, Durham DH1 3BW.
Name ………………………………………………………….
Address ……………………………………………………….
Post Code ………………………… Tel No: ……………
Number of Cards Required ………….
I enclose a cheque (payable to the DLI Association) for …………….
(crossed account of payee only)
Signature …………………………… Date ……………………

52. ‘SPORTING FORCE’ (SUPPORTING HELP FOR HEROES) OFFER A FREE VETERANS CRICKET MATCH AT THE EMIRATES RIVERSIDE STADIUM - 23 AUG 2016 - DURHAM V WARWICKSHIRE

1. Free cricket and match for Veterans is on offer at the Emirates Riverside Stadium, Chester-le-Street.
   
2. Arrive at 1000 hrs and meet the team and the other organisations representatives. We then invite all present to join us for lunch. (Lunch is free but a small donation will be gratefully received into our collection bucket towards costs). During the day the veterans can chat again informally to our team and also to members of BLESMA, WWV and H4H.  This is a social event that we hope will be a sign posting event for any veteran needing help to smooth the transition into civilian life or ones who have left the services but not managed to achieve the career that they would of liked to. We offer employability courses, personal development programmes, work placements all centred around sports.  Please see our website for more details or our Facebook for up to date news.
   
3. If you would like to attend the match and be part of a great free day please apply via our website at www.sportingforce.org/apply or email jacqui.nicholson(at)sportingforce.org

52. DEATHS REPORTED

16.58.01 The following deaths have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
Geoff Heslop (D Coy 7LI)  died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday 30 July aged 70
David Buckingham, died Friday 29 July 2016. Served A Coy 7LI
George Marshman, died Tuesday 2 August 2016
May They Rest in Peace

Elvet Waterside,
Durham,
DH1 3BW
10 August 2016

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin July 2016

46. KEVIN STOREY

16.46.01 Kevin Storey, former secretary of the DLI Association and long time member of the Durham Light Infantry community, died 4 July 2016, after a long period of illness, and many years of devoted service to the Regiment and the Association. For many people Kevin was the DLI Association. His support of Association members and their families over the years was unparalleled. His experience, knowledge and enthusiasm in the support of the Light Infantry Office/Rifles Office, the Association Chairman, Branch Secretaries and other branch officials was a major factor in the continuing existence of the Association. Kevin’s funeral was held at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Mill Lane, Gilesgate 1000 hrs on 20 July followed by cremation at Durham Crematorium. The funeral was attended by many members of the Durham Light Infantry family. Seven branch standards were in on parade at the service. The wake was held at Ramside Hall following the cremation. May he rest in peace,

46. ATTENDANCE AT THE LONDON CENOTAPH PARADE–REMEMBRANCE DAY–13 NOV 2016

    1. As you were informed, the Association Secretary was accredited as an agent for the nomination of DLI Association personnel wishing to attend the London Cenotaph parade under the new mandatory arrangements.

    2. Initially there was a problem for some branches downloading the attachment, but the Secretary sent out a format that everyone will be able to read. The Association Secretary is now receiving completed proformas from branches, so if branches are to take the opportunity to attend the Cenotaph Parade they should be preparing their proformas now if they have not already done so. There is still plenty of time for any submissions, but it is important to remember the cut-off date (Wed 31 August 2016), by which time branches or members must submit their information to the Association Secretary. It is important to note that London security cannot guarantee that every name submitted will be accepted.

    3. Up to 28 July 2016 the following names have been submitted to the Secretary for inclusion in the consolidated list being sent by the Secretary to the RBL Events Team to take part in the Cenotaph Parade:

John Rolfe, William Wanless, James Caldwell, Albert Cummings,William Lough, Raymond Anderson

4. Branch Secretaries should ensure that any of their members wishing to parade at the Cenotaph who are not named above, be included in a Branch submission, on the proper format, (all columns completed) to the Association Secretary as soon as possible or at the latest by 31 August 2016. The Association Secretary has been informed by the Events Team at RBL that the DLI Association has been allocated 50 tickets for this parade.

46. 1 LIGHT INFANTRY ASSOCIATION ATTENDANCE AT THE BALLYGAWLEY MEMORIAL

16.48.01 On Sat 20 Aug 16 the 1LI Association will be laying a wreath at the Ballygawley Memorial  Shrewsbury.  If you would like to attend, please be at the Memorial in The Quarry, Shrewsbury at 1040 hrs.

46. THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY DRAW 2016

    1. Branches are reminded of the importance of this draw to ensure the financial security of the DLI Association.

    2. Branches are asked that they make a determined effort to sell as many books of tickets as they can.

    3. Stubs and money should be returned to the Rifles Office at the latest by Friday 2 September 2016.

    4. The Draw will be made at 1030 hrs on Thursday 8 September at the Rifles Office by the Association Secretary Lt Col (Retd) I R Heron TD witnessed by Major (Retd) C Lawton MBE DL the Rifles Secretary, Durham and the Administrative Officer Mrs Shirley Nicholson. Results will be published on Sunday 11 September at the Band Concert at the College of St Hild & St Bede.

46. DOCUMENTATION FOR THE DLI ANNUAL REUNION – 11-13 SEPT 2016

    1. The documentation for the DLI Annual Reunion has been sent out to Association Branch Secretaries and officers on the mailing list.

    2. This includes all details for the Durham Light Infantry Association parade on Sunday 11 September 2016.

    3. Lunch Tickets for the formal lunch in Hild-Bede on Sunday 11 September are available now from the Rifles Office Durham. The cost is £16 per head. Application should be made as soon as possible to assist with catering numbers.

    4. The Application Form for officers wishing to attend the Rifles Northern Dinner on Saturday 10 September 2016 is included in this mailing and has also been sent out to individual officers who may wish to attend. Early application for this dinner is advised.

    5. Details of available accommodation in the colleges of the university for this weekend is also included.

47. DEATHS REPORTED

    16.51.01 The followings death have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.

48.  

49. Kevin Storey, died 4 July 2016.He served with the Durham Light Infantry and was a former Secretary DLI Association

    Dennis Creed, died 6 July 2016. Served with 1 DLI in Borneo

    Ted Jones (Joseph Edward Jones) Died 12 July 2016 in Princess Royal Hospital Telford. He served with the DLI, and was the former chairman Shropshire Korean Veterans Association 

    Sidney Smith, Died 21 July 2016

    May They Rest in Peace

 

Elvet Waterside,

Durham,

DH1 3BW

23 July 2016

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin June 2016

37. ORDINARY MEETING OF THE DLI EXECUTIVE - WED 29 JUNE 2016

1. A Reminder that the Ordinary Meeting of the DLI Executive will be held at 1400 hrs on Wed 29 June 2016 at the Rifles Office, Durham. All branches are asked to ensure they have a representative at this meeting.

37. LIGHT INFANTRY REUNION – GREENHOUS MEADOW STADIUM SHREWSBURY 17-18 JUNE 2016

    1. The Light Infantry Reunion took place for the second time at the Greenhous Meadow Stadium, Shrewsbury.

    2. This being the second year at this location lessons from 2015 had been learned. Adequate accommodation for all activities was provided in large marquee areas, providing hard standing throughout.

    3. Catering was in the hands of the Stadium staff and was of a good standard. Attendance at the ‘Happy Hour’ at the Stadium and the take-up of the Curry supper on the Friday evening was disappointing. Maybe it is too far from the town for members to walk as there was no Shuttle Bus on the Friday evening and driving to the event was not recommended.

    4. The parade area was much enlarged enabling sufficient space for the proper execution of the parade and the Sounding of Retreat. The 90^th Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen was celebrated on parade.

    5. There was a good turn-out of former DLI personnel for the parade. The DLI contingent commanded by Major Paul Wharton MM, the Association Chairman, numbered in excess of 30 members, with 2 branch standards and the DLI Replica Colours on parade.

    6. The All-ranks dinner in the Stadium on Saturday evening was well attended and took the usual format.

37. ROYAL BRITISH LEGION RIDERS ASSOCIATION COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME IN 1916; 30 JUNE – 2 JULY 2016

    1. A reminder is given of the Royal British Legion Riders Association of Co Durham and Cleveland commemoration of the Battle of the Somme, in which the Durham Light Infantry played so significant a part.

    2. The key dates and times are:

30 June 1730 Commemorative Evensong in Durham cathedral followed by candlelit vigil.

1 July 0728 RBLR Association assemble at Durham Cathedral.

0730 Regimental Drum Crash and Officer’s whistle sounds. Start of the cathedral vigil. DLI Standards requested.

0735 RBLR circuit of northern counties ride begins.

0735 Riders start 750 mile ride around the North of England. Piper plays lament on cathedral roof.

2 July 0900 RBLR gather at the Don Bar, Stockton to meet DLI Association members.

0930 RBL Riders leave Stockton to ride back to Durham Cathedral, arriving at Durham Cathedral

1230 Officer’s Whistle taken into cathedral; service; sounding of whistle, vigil ceases.

.

16.42 ATTENDANCE AT THE LONDON CENOTAPH PARADE – REMEMBRANCE DAY - NOV 2016

16.42.01 Recently, as you were informed, the Secretary applied to the Royal British Legion to be accredited as an agent for the nomination of DLI Association personnel wishing to attend the London Cenotaph parade under the new mandatory arrangements. This application was successful.

16.42.04 Up to the present time I have had no submissions from branches in terms of this parade. There is still plenty of time for any submissions, but it is important to remember the cut-off date (Wed 31 August 2016), by which time branches or members must submit their information to the Association Secretary. It is important to note that London security cannot guarantee that every name submitted will be accepted.

16.43 THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY DRAW 2016

16.43.01 Branches are reminded of the importance of this draw to ensure the financial security of the DLI Association.

16.43.02 Branches are asked that they make a determined effort to sell as many books of tickets as they can.

16.43.03 Books of tickets will be issued to branches at the Executive Meeting on 29 June.

44. DOCUMENTATION FOR THE DLI ANNUAL REUNION – 11-13 SEPT 2016

    1. Documentation for the DLI Reunion will be sent out to branches and individual members within the next few days. Those applying for lunch or dinner tickets should do so promptly in order that the proper arrangements can be made.

    2. The parade format for Sunday 13 September will be confirmed at the DLI Executive Meeting on 29 June.

    3. Branches are reminded that the Cathedral Service is a key part of the Reunion. Association members should be encouraged to attend. Roll of Honour The names of the fallen will be read out as usual. For families who attend for the purpose of hearing their loved one’s name read out it is important that as many Association Members and former DLI personnel are present to hear the reading of the Roll of Honour.

44. DEATHS REPORTED

    1. The following death has been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.

Brian Robinson,died, in hospital in Yorkshire of cancer. 2030 hrs 19 June 2016 He served with 1 DLI and took part in Operation Blaydon Races in Borneo as a platoon serjeant

Vince Vallely, aged 85 years. Served with A Coy 1 DLI

May They Rest in Peace

 

Elvet Waterside,

Durham,

DH1 3BW

23 June 2016

A Selection of Links

The following links were kindly provided by Durham County Record Office.

They have been busy working on an 8 DLI story for Durham at War, linked to the recent Swiss Centenary commemorations at St. Peter’s, Chateau d’Oex, for the first British POWs to arrive in Switzerland:

St Peter’s, Chateau d’Oex – 1914-1918 War: Centenary
http://stpeters.ch/ww1-centenary-event-29-may-2016/

Durham at War links:

Elliot Angus Leybourne (1889-1950)

8 DLI officer interned in Switzerland as prisoner of war

http://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/story/12221/

Report of capture and imprisonment in Germany by Angus Leybourne, May 1916

8 DLI officer interviewed by the Committee on the Treatment of British Prisoners of War

http://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/material/571/

Reports by Lieutenant Colonel H Picot on visits to interned British Prisoners of War

Letters concerning the visit of Miss Kirkup to Chateau d'Oex, Switzerland, November 1916

http://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/material/572/

Yours to a Cinder - the correspondence of an 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry prisoner of war

The letters of Angus Leybourne and Connie Kirkup, 1915-1917

http://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/material/593/

Constance Dora 'Connie' Kirkup (1889-1950)

Matron at Birtley munitions hospital whose wartime romance took her to Switzerland

http://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/story/12522/

Diary of Constance 'Connie' Kirkup, January 1917

Story of a journey out to Switzerland to visit her prisoner of war fiancé

http://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/material/590/

The Durham Light Infantry Association

29. Monthly Bulletin May 2016

    ORDINARY MEETING OF THE DLI EXECUTIVE - WED 29 JUNE 2016

1. An Ordinary Meeting of the DLI Executive will be held at 1400 hrs on Wed 29 June 2016 at the Rifles Office, Durham. The agenda is below:

2.  

1. All branches are asked to ensure they have a representative at this meeting.

29. LAUNCH OF WORLD WAR ONE CENTENARY ALES – NEWCASTLE CIVIC CENTRE - 8 MAY 2016

1. The Launch of WW1Centenary Ales took place as scheduled at Newcastle Civic Centre on 8^th May. In the presence of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Councillor Ian Graham and the Lady Mayoress Mrs Margaret Graham, the Chairman of Durham County Council & Mayor of the City of Durham Councillor Jan Blakey and her Consort Mr Alan Blakey, to a fanfare sounded by Buglers of the Rifles, the mayoral party advanced to the podium. Commemorative speeches, by representatives of the North East War Memorials Project, which had sponsored the event, then occurred accompanied by the presentation of packs of WW1 Centenary Ales and commemorative booklets.

Presentation packs of the World War One Centenary Ales which had been produced especially for the occasion by The Hadrian and Border Brewery were on sale to representatives of Veterans Associations and the general public. They commemorated the Battle of the Somme which began on 1 July 1916 in which many battalions of the DLI fought. Consisting of a specially designed container for 2 bottles DLI Pale Ale (and also for some for other regiments) with a DLI badged commemorative glass, they were sold in large numbers from the promotions stall at a price of £10 per pack, perhaps a little pricey, but worthwhile on the day. Durham Light Infantry Ales could be bought separately at £3 per bottle with a £3 glass. In the afternoon there was a musical programme played by bands and groups from a number of regimental associations. The DLI Association was well represented by its Chairman Major Paul Wharton MM and members mostly from Houghton-le-Spring and Stockton branches, accompanied by branch officials. It was an enjoyable and fun event bringing together members of a range of veterans organisations and raising significant funding for the North East War Memorials Project.

LINK TO PHOTOS OF THE EVENT

29. THE PLACING OF A LECTERN ALONGSIDE THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY MEMORIAL AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM - 18 MAY 2016

1. A party of around 40 members of the DLI Association assembled at the Gilesgate Armoury before 0800 hrs to travel to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire for the unveiling of a lectern beside the DLI Memorial there providing the reader with a short history of the DLI and the significance of the memorial. After a journey of around 3½ hours the party arrived at the Arboretum where Colonel Lawrence Anderson had coordinated the arrangements for the day. Light refreshments were available in the Rose Room in the temporary accommodation centre, in use until the much enlarged permanent centre is completed, after which the party made their way on foot or in the case of the infirm by motor-trolley to the DLI Memorial where chairs were set out for the elderly and the ladies. Brigadier Robert MacGregor-Oakford CBE, MC gave a short address of welcome. The Lectern was unveiled by Mrs Jenny Straughier and Mr Richard Softley, after which the Regimental Wreath was laid by Major Chris Lawton MBE, DL. The Ode of Remembrance was spoken by the Association Chairman, Major Paul Wharton MM after which a short service followed conducted by the DLI Association Padre the Revd Kenneth Crawford. The Last Post was sounded by buglers of the Light Infantry and Rifles Buglers Association, followed by the Silence and the sounding of the Reveille. After the sounding of ‘No more Parades Today’ the party gathered for commemorative photographs an a closer look at the lectern before once again assembling in the Rose Room for lunch. Thanks were given to Col Anderson for the arrangements made for the day. At 1530 hrs the party boarded the coach for the return journey to arrive at the Gilesgate Reserve Army Centre around 1900 hrs. Throughout the day the weather was poor, building to a steady drizzle during the service. However everyone enjoyed an excellent day and it was good to see so many former DLI Officers and friends of the Regiment who had made their own way to the Arboretum from scattered locations around the country to join the party and be a part of the commemoration.

31.  

32. LINK TO ALL PHOTOS OF THE EVENT

29. ROYAL BRITISH LEGION RIDERS ASSOCIATION COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME IN 1916; 30 JUNE – 2 JULY 2016

1. Notice is given of the Royal British Legion Riders Association of Co Durham and Cleveland commemoration of the Battle of the Somme, in which the Durham Light Infantry played so significant a part.

2. The Chairman is particularly keen that members of the Association do all they can to support this event. The sequence of occurrences is as follows:

30 June 1730 Riders of the RBLR Association attend Commemorative Evensong in Durham cathedral followed by candlelit vigil.

1 July 0728 Riders of the RBLR Association assemble at Durham Cathedral.

0730 Regimental Drum Crash (simulating the Lochnager explosion on 1 July 1916).

0730 Officer’s whistle sounds, representing soldiers leaving the trenches and going over the top.

(representing the start of Battle of the Somme). The cathedral vigil begins.

0732 The Boxed Whistle taken to Lead Rider, who will carry it on the circuit of northern counties.

0735 Riders start 750 mile ride around the North of England counties.

Concurrent Activity: Piper plays lament on roof of cathedral.

29. Request to the DLI Association

1. DLI Association and standards are requested to attend start of vigil at the cathedral and witness the spectacle. RBL Riders then begin their ride, overnight to arrive:

2 July 0900 at the Don Bar, Stockton – Meet DLI Association members.

Stockton Branch members and the branch standard asked to support the Riders at the Don Bar on Saturday 2 July morning.

0930 RBL Riders leave Stockton to ride back to Durham Cathedral, arriving

1000 at Durham Cathedral to meet other DLI Association members.

1230 Officer’s Whistle taken into cathedral; service; sounding of whistle, vigil ceases.

Branch Members and families are invited to take part in these activities. As this event is to commemorate the part played by the DLI in the Battle of the Somme it is important that as many Association members as possible are able to participate.

16.34 ATTENDANCE AT THE LONDON CENOTAPH PARADE – REMEMBRANCE DAY 13 NOV 2016

16.34.01 Recently, as you were informed, the Secretary applied to the Royal British Legion to be accredited as an agent for the nomination of DLI Association personnel wishing to attend the London Cenotaph parade under the new mandatory arrangements. This application was successful.

16.34.02 As was stated then, the only personnel allowed to march in the London Cenotaph parade are those veterans whose personal details have been sent by the Secretary for scrutiny by Metropolitan Police Security before the closing date and accepted, and who will have received personal documentation (tickets etc) from security.

16.34.03 Branches who wish to send details of personnel wishing to attend can now do so, following the format of which you were informed and which I will send you again. Every detail of the format must be completed or the name will be rejected.

16.34.04 This information has to be submitted by the Association Secretary to London Security by 16 September. In order that the Secretary can construct a consolidated list and get it to Security by that date DLI Association branches or members must submit this information to the Association Secretary by Wed 31 August 2016.

16.34.05 Please note that it cannot be guaranteed that every name submitted will be accepted.

16.34.06 In time past the DLI has had a significant representation at the London Cenotaph parade. Hopefully we can do so again in 2016. However it is likely that we may only be allocated a maximum of 40 places for the Association, so it is important to get your application to the Association Secretary in good time.

16.35 RETURN OF STUBS & MONIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIGHT INFANTRY DRAW 2016

16.35.01 Branches are reminded of the need to return stubs and monies and unsold tickets associated with the Light Infantry Draw 2016 to the Rifles Offices by Tuesday 31 May 2016.

 

16.36 DEATHS REPORTED

16.36.01 The following deaths have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.

Frank Hay 4119412, Served with 2^nd Battalion DLI in Canal Zone and Cyprus

Mr Denis (Denny) Lawton. Served with DLI/3LI/5LI/Shrop ACF.

Robert Evans, aged 87 years.Born 30 January 1929, Died 11 May 2016

Served as a DLI Cadet and National Service with KOYLI in UK and Malaya.He was Member of Stockton Branch DLI Association

May They Rest in Peace

 

Elvet Waterside,

Durham,

DH1 3BW

20 May 2016