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Monthly Bulletin May 2016
ORDINARY MEETING OF THE DLI EXECUTIVE - WED 29 JUNE 2016
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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:
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All branches are asked to ensure they have a representative at this meeting.
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LAUNCH OF WORLD WAR ONE CENTENARY ALES – NEWCASTLE CIVIC CENTRE - 8 MAY 2016
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The Launch of WW1Centenary Ales took place as scheduled at Newcastle Civic Centre on 8th 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.
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THE PLACING OF A LECTERN ALONGSIDE THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY MEMORIAL AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM - 18 MAY 2016
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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.
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ROYAL BRITISH LEGION RIDERS ASSOCIATION COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME IN 1916; 30 JUNE – 2 JULY 2016
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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.
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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.
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Request to the DLI Association
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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 2nd 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
