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 1st prize in the raffle also made a commitment to the project. A very good night was had by all.
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.
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 12th 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.
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BILLINGHAM RBL /ARMY BENEVOLENT FUND LAUNCH OF THE 2016 POPPY APPEAL – 1 NOVEMBER 2016 AT BILLINGHAM FORUM
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Members of the Stockton Branch DLI Association were in evidence at the concert at the Billingham Forum on Tuesday 1st 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.
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FORMAL OPENING DLI COLLECTION AT SEVEN HILLS, SPENNYMOOR
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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.
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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.
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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 1st 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.
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DLI ASSOCIATION AND DLI FRIENDS WORKING TOGETHER GROUP
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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.
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DEATHS REPORTED
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The following deaths have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
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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
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Elvet Waterside Durham,
DH1 3BW
13 November 2016
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