The Commemoration of the Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge

The Commemoration of the Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge took place on the 23 April 2016 at the Gravenstafel Memorial on the Bede Lawn of the college of St Hild and St Bede in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Mrs Sue Snowdon and the College Principal Professor Jan Clarke. The service of commemoration was conducted by the Revd Kenneth Crawford, the DLI Association Chaplain with the Revd Timothy Ferguson the College Chaplain. The President of the Student Representative Council Mr George McNeilly read the lesson from St John’s Gospel, Chapter 15 verses 9-17, the Address was given by the Revd Timothy Ferguson. A wreath was laid by Major Donald McDonald President of the 8^th &11^th Battalions Durham Light Infantry Old Comrades Association to commemorate the soldiers and officers of the 8^th Battalion killed in the Battle including members of the Bede College Contingent. Colonel Arthur Charlton TD DL and Major Chris Lawton MBE DL were also in attendance, as were former principals, staff, students and alumni of the College. Former members of the 8^th Battalion DLI and the Light Infantry as well as members of the Durham Light Infantry Association were also present. The music was provided by the Durham Army Cadet Force Band and Bugles under their Director Major Colin Miller and Bugle Major Derek Corbett, which after the conclusion of the service of commemoration played a Retreat of well known pieces and marches of the Durham Light Infantry concluding with ‘Sunset’. The DLI Association standard was carried by Mr John Pepper.
Everyone then adjourned to a reception in the Collier Room of the college, where refreshments were provided for the band and bugles, and a buffet for the VIPs. This was a most enjoyable evening cementing the firm links that have existed between the College and the Regiment over more that 100 years.

LINK to all photos

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin

April 2016

24. LAUNCH OF CENTURY ALES

16.24.01 Information for those Association members proposing to go to the Launch of Century Ales at the Newcastle Civic Centre on 8 May 2016, these are the relevant timings.

TIMINGS	ACTIVITY
1145	Dignitaries arrive
1200	Dignitaries will be escorted into the banqueting suite heralded by a fanfare from the Rifles Photo opportunity for press TV etc, short speech and each Mayor will be presented with a gift pack and a copy of my book. All the standards from local associations with their standard bearers in the room for the photo shoot.
12.45-1300	room open to the all the veterans and members of the public heralded in by a fanfare from the Rifles
1330	Music by Tyneside Irish Piper
1400	Music By Tyneside Scottish Piper,
1430	Music By Northumbrian Piper
1500-1340	Best of Fettle (TBC)
1555	Kohima Epitaph and Last Post
1600	Close

24. TIMINGS FOR PLACING A LECTERN AT THE NMA – 18 MAY 16

16.25.01 Outline Timings

0745 Park cars in Gilesgate Armoury Lower Car Park

0800 Depart from Gilesgate Armoury

1130 Arrival and meet in the Rose Room

1230 Move to DLI Memorial.

1245 Quarter Hour Dress

1259. Light Infantry Assembly sounded

1300 Welcome & Dedication Service

1325 ‘No More Parades’ (Recover Colours and Standards)

1330 Move to the Rose Room for light lunch (individual purchase)

1500/1600 Return to Coach at an agreed time for return journey

1930 approx Arrival at Gilesgate Armoury

24. ROYAL BRITISH LEGION ASSOCIATION OF BIKERS (RBLB) EVENT

16.26.01 A linked activity of the DLI Association with the Royal British Legion Bikers to coincide with the beginning of the Battle of the Somme is being contemplated. This will be discussed as an additional agenda item at the DLI Executive Annual General Meeting on 20 April 2016.

24. DLI ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES – 20 MARCH 2016

16.27.01 The DLI Association Indoor Games took place at the Dubmire Royal British Legion Club at Fence Houses on Sunday 20 March 2016 under arrangements provided by the Houghton-le-Spring Branch of the Association, in the presence of the Association Chairman Maj Paul Wharton MM and the Vice Chairman Maj Chris Lawton MBE.

172 members of the Association and some guests attended the Championship in which 13 branches competed. The competition was organised by the Association Secretary, Lt Col John Heron TD who was ably assisted by Team Captains and Umpires from all branches, with particular assistance from Paulene Gill of the Consett & Stanley Branch and Eddie Surtees as Chief Umpire.

The usual three disciplines were played: darts, dominoes and whist, with the usual fierce competition, nevertheless conducted on a friendly and amicable basis to provide a good day out for all members.

In addition to the Games it was an opportunity to make a presentation to the recently retired DLI Association Chaplain, the Revd Brian Rawson. The presentation was made by Major Paul Wharton, Association Chairman, who reminded us all of the great enthusiasm in which the Rev Brian, had conducted his chaplaincy while with the Association, the ‘Faithful’ Inkerman Dinner Club and the 8^th/11^th Bns DLI Old Comrades Association. The Rev Brian replied at length saying how much he had enjoyed his time as Chaplain to the Association and wished everyone success in the future. He was presented with a 2^nd Edition WW1 ‘Tommy’ statue with appropriate inscription.

The Darts competition was won by the Gateshead & Newcastle Branch, the Dominoes by the Washington Branch and the Whist by the Stockton Branch. The Stockton Branch were the Overall Champions while the wooden spoon was shared by 3 teams. The trophies were presented by Maj Paul Wharton, Chairman. Major Lawton in congratulating the Houghton-le-Spring Branch on their organisation of the event, congratulated the teams on their sense of fair play noting what a good day it had been. He thanked all the umpires who had helped the day to go so smoothly. The Raffle raised £290 towards the Association Funds. He thanked the catering staff for providing a meal of a very good standard, curry and ham salad being the menu alternatives, though sadly not everyone got the meal they ordered. Winning Raffle Prize numbers were: 800, 1431, 826, 214, 1260, 796, 437, 677, 1120, 1330, 1263, 574, 216, 1338, 644. Unclaimed prizes are available from the Rifles Office.

Our best wishes go to Joe Green who was unfortunately run over on a zebra crossing on the way home from the Games. Joe was hit by a speeding car that was being chased by a Police Car. It was first thought that the injuries were more serious, but after further inspection and a CT Scan it may be just a fracture with some serious bruising. He was admitted to Ward 14 of the QE Hospital Gateshead where he is said to be comfortable.

The scores are below:

DEATHS REPORTED

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

Elvet Waterside,

Durham,

DH1 3BW

18April 2016

The new research facility is now open

As the title states the new research facility is now open at 7Hills Spennymoor.
Here is a useful link to the DCC website LINK

A few photos of the research area.

Somme 1916 at Palace Green Library

Somme 1916: From Durham to the Western Front is on display at Palace Green Library from Friday 25 March – Sunday 2 October 2016. The exhibition is open 10am – 5pm daily.

Full Details LINK

Review

Admission

• Adults: £7.50
• Children (over 5) and concessions: £6.50
• Infants (under 5; up to 2 per full paying adult): Free
• Family (2 paying adults and 2 children): £25
• Groups (of 9 or more): £6.50 per person

Closed

The museum doors were locked to the public just after 4pm BST on the 31st March 2016.