Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin for December,  Christmas Special

The DLI Association Bulletin for Christmas 2017 can be viewed  HERE

When the Bugle Calls

When The Bugle Calls is a new DLI Collection touring exhibition that opens at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on December 6th 2017.

A preview for invited guests was held on the eve of the opening. A selection of very poignant DLI related songs was performed by Gary Miller and friends. Gary’s website is well worth a visit HERE

Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC

Today marks 100 years since Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC was killed during the Battle of Cambrai.

A short video and story on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, published today

https://www.cwgc.org/learn/news-and-events/news/2017/11/30/15/41/the-story-of-the-boy-wonder-brigadier-general-roland-boys-bradford-vc

https://www.cwgc.org/learn/news-and-events/news/2017/11/29/11/04/casualties-of-cambrai-brigadier-general-roland-boys-bradford-vc

Link to the Unveiling of the Roland Bradford VC  Commemorative Stone  LINK

Durham Light Infantry Association

   Monthly Bulletin for December

The DLI Association Bulletin For December 2017 can be viewed Here

Festival of Remembrance Concert

The annual Festival of Remembrance Concert in aid of the ABF The Soldier's Charity takes place in Durham Cathedral on the 11 th November, starting at 7.00pm (doors open at 6.15pm)

A poignant and moving concert to remember those who have given their lives for their country and serving soldiers who put their lives at risk for our liberties today.
Narrated by Alasdair Hutton (voice of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo). 
The Band of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
102 Battalion Pipe Band
Durham Music Theatre Company
Enter CIC
Representatives and Standards for the armed forces, emergency services, youth organisations and veterans.

Tickets: £10-£18 available from the Gala Theatre Box Office 03000 266600 or online here.

Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin for November

The DLI Association Bulletin For November 2017 can be viewed  HERE

Durham Light Infantry Association

MONTHLY BULLETIN  Oct  2017

The DLI Association Monthly Bulletin for October 2017 can be viewed  HERE

Durham Light Infantry Association

MONTHLY BULLETIN  August 2017

The September DLI monthly bulletin can be viewed  HERE

Note: The date of the Reunion is 10th September not the 12th

Military Vehicle Rally

North East Military Vehicle Club are holding their  annual Military Vehicle Rally at the Ryhope Pumping Station, Sunderland on the weekend of 27th and 28th August. This new venue replaces the old DLI museum site.

Durham Light Infantry Association

MONTHLY BULLETIN  August 2017

The August DLI monthly bulletin can be viewed  Here

Durham Light Infantry Association

MONTHLY BULLETIN  July 2017

The monthly bulletin now contains photographs of events during the past month and it looks better in its original form.

Download and read here. LINK

Durham Light Infantry Association

MONTHLY BULLETIN  June 2017

The monthly bulletin now contains photographs of events during the past month and it looks better in its original form.

Download and read here. LINK

Updates to Gallery Links

Below are the links to recent events. Details are in the April/ May association bulletin’s.

Commemoration of the Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge   LINK

The 8^th &11^th Bns DLI Old Comrades Association Annual Dinner  LINK

Sounding Retreat  by The Band & Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force  LINK

Commemorative Service for Michael Heaviside VC at St Giles' Church  LINK

Durham Light Infantry Association

MONTHLY BULLETIN  May 2017

34. FUNDRAISING FOR THE DLI FRIENDS

1. The DLI Friends have had in place for some years a fundraising scheme in which funds are generated simply by linking with the Easy Fundraising website by clicking onto their name when engaged in internet shopping. It costs nothing to the shopper and can raise significant amounts of funding for the Friends. What we are asking Association members to do when doing internet shopping is to log onto this website, locate the DLI Museum Friends logo and then make their normal internet purchase. The Scheme is still in the name of the DLI Friends Museum which we are endeavouring to update, but the funding comes to the DLI Friends. The Friends would be grateful for any funds raised in this way which will be applied to the Friends work at the DLI Collection at Sevenhills. If you would like to become involved you can see how to do this at the bottom of the page under Easy Fundraising for the DLI Friends.

17.35 COMMEMORATION OF A THE AWARD OF THE VICTORIA CROSS TO PTE MICHAEL HEAVISIDE VC – ST GILES’ CHURCH GILESGATE 6 MAY 2017

17.35.01 This event will take place at the Church of St Giles, Gilesgate on 6th May 2017 to commemorate the award of a Victoria Cross exactly100 years ago on 6 May 1917 to Michael Heaviside for an act of conspicuous bravery in first tending and later rescuing an unknown soldier who had lain in No Man’s Land under heavy fire during the Battle of Arras. If attending by car please use the Hild-Bede Lower Car Park as car-parking space at St Giles’ church is severely limited. Association members & Branch standards are welcome. At a later date, yet to be announced, a commemorative Victoria Cross paving stone will be placed at the church.

17.36 COMMEMORATION OF A PLAQUE AT NEWCASTLE DISCOVERY MUSEUM RECORDING THE GALLANTRY OF PRIVATE ADAM WAKENSHAW VC – 18 MAY 2017

17.36.01 The Chairman of the DLI Association Major Paul Wharton MM and Simon Parkin, Historic Environment Officer at Newcastle City Council, have discussed participation by the Durham Light Infantry Association in this event and agreed that the Association should be included in the arrangements when a plaque named for Pte Wakenshaw (and others) is unveiled. It had been intended these plaques were to be unveiled at an important Ceremony at the Discovery Museum on 18 May 2017. Unfortunately there has been a delay and this ceremony has been postponed, to a later date as yet to be determined.

2. Branches will be provided with further details of the new date when they are available, but it is important that all Branch Secretaries are aware of the 18 May postponement as they may have members proposing to attend on 18^th. In due course an amended date will be published and then we hope to encourage as many Association members and as many Branch Standards as possible to be present on the new date.

3. As soon as further details are known you will be informed

4. Background Private Adam Wakenshaw VC served in the 9 Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was 28 years old when he won his Victoria Cross in a gallant action on 27th June 1942 at Mersa Matruh in North Africa. The four 2 pounder anti-tank guns of 9DLI were engaged in slowing the German advance towards Alexandria after the fall of Torbruk. During this action all the crew of Pte Wakenshaw’s gun were either killed or terribly wounded but Pte Wakenshaw and the gun aimer Pte Mohn fought on. Though Wakenshaw had had his left arm blown off above the elbow, assisted by Mohn, he loaded and fired 5 more rounds. A German shell then killed Mohn, but Wakenshaw once more dragged himself to the gun and had loaded a further round into the breech when the gun suffered a direct hit and he was killed. Adam’s 2 pounder anti-tank gun was displayed at the DLI Museum for many years, and now stands in pride of place as part of the DLI Collection at Sevenhills at Spennymoor. The Association will be proud to commemorate Pte Adam Wakenshaw on this important day.

35. THE DLI COLLECTION EXHIBITION IN THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, PALACE GREEN

1. This exhibition subtitled Courage, Comrades, Community was opened on Thursday 8^th March 2017. The DLI Collection Gallery tells the history of the Regiment through the stories of the soldiers who made it. This exhibition enables visitors to learn more about their brave deeds and can see the Victoria Cross awarded to Private Michael Heaviside for saving the life of his injured comrade. Visitors can discover the DLI’s surprising sporting past and marvel at what was once said to be the world’s biggest football trophy. They can have fun and meet soldiers from the DLI’s past by playing our touch table game, A March Through Time. Members of the Working Together Group from the DLI Friends and DLI Association; Presidents and Chairman were invited to private showings on to take place on 6 April and 2 May. Any Association member who would like to see the exhibition should report to the Durham University Library on Palace Green at 10.00am on 6 May 2017

2.  

35. COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF GRAVENSTAFEL RIDGE – 25 APRIL 1915

On 22 April 2017 the 8^th &11^th Bns DLI Old Comrades Association commemorated this action in which students of the College of the Venerable Bede, fought as part of 8^th Bn Durham Light Infantry in the 2^nd Battle of Ypres on 2526^th April 1915 during which the 8^th Bn lost 574 men and 19 officers. In the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Sue Snowdon, Jan Clarke the college principal, the commemoration which was conducted by the Revd Kenneth Crawford, Chaplain to the DLI Association and Revd Timothy Ferguson, College Chaplain, assisted by students of the College of St Hild & St Bede, took place at the Gravenstafel War Memorial on the college lawn. A wreath to commemorate the deaths which occurred in the battle and to commemorate the long association between the college and the Regiment was laid by Lt Col John Heron TD, as the President OCA Major Donald McDonald was absent through illness.

17.37 The Band & Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force played at the commemoration and at the Retreat in Caedmon Hall which followed. The Standard of the Durham Branch DLI Association was carried by John Pepper. Also present were Major Chris Lawton MBE, DL, (Rifles Secretary Durham), Major Paul Wharton MM (Chairman DLI Association), the Chairman & the Secretary of the OCA, Colonel Steve Hopper, Lt Cols Ian Banks and Jimmy Brown, Majors John Jackson, Brian Snaith, Alasdair Watson, Albert Armstrong and Darryl Dowdell and many former members of the Durham Light Infantry and the Light Infantry and the College.

35. After the Retreat college alumni and students attended a reception in the Collier Room at the college, while members of the O.C.A. retired to the Gilesgate Armoury for their Annual Dinner hosted by their Chairman Mr Michael Langelier and their Secretary Mr Kenneth Suddes. Guests of Honour were the President and Vice President of the Hild- Bede Student Representative Council Beccy Hodson and Elliot Matger. The Band and Bugles played for this occasion throughout the meal after which Bugle Major Derek Corbett and friends give a humorous rendition of the Post Horn Gallop.

35.  

36. ATTENDANCE AT THE LONDON CENOTAPH PARADE 2017

    2. There is no reason to suppose that the arrangements for the issue of marchers’ passes for this parade will be any different this year from last year, when you will remember significant information was required from each member intending to march in order to obtain an individual pass, without which he would not be able to march.

    3. As yet I have had no information from the Events Team at the Royal British Legion, but I think it will be safe to assume they will want much the same details as last year. Therefore it would make sense for those branches intending to send representatives to gather the necessary details now. If further details are required you will be informed.

    4. In 2016 the details required from all marchers was as follows:

Title/Rank; First name; Last name; Date of Birth; Place of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY); Place of Birth; First line of address; Town; Postcode; Military Number; Criteria ( e. g. Category 1 - Ex-Service Personnel holding a campaign medal; Category 2 Civilians deployed on operations in support of the Military (Includes; Police, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Civil Servants); Category 3 Ex-Service Personnel with no campaign medal.

2. Clearly there is at this stage no rush for information, but it is likely to be required by the end of August, so it might be a good idea to start collecting it now, so you have it ready it is required for submission. I will send you a sheet with the format for the required information when I have it. I still have the information submitted for members last year should it be required.

35. THE RIFLES NORTHERN COCKTAIL PARTY – UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, PALACE GREEN – 5 MAY 2017

1. The Rifles Northern Cocktail Part will take place at UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, PALACE GREEN on 5 May. Mayors and their Consorts from the Freedom towns will be present, as well as other local personalities, officers of The Rifles; former officers of the Light Infantry and Durham Light Infantry and their ladies. A Retreat will be played on Palace Green by the Band & Bugles of the Durham ACF conducted by the Bandmaster Major Colin Miller RIFLES.

39. TRIP TO THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM

    1. You may remember that Richard Tough and the Houghton-le-Spring Branch are arranging to visit the National Memorial Arboretum on the weekend of Friday 7^th July to Sunday 9^th July 2017 which is open to members, partners, family and friends. They currently have 39 confirmed numbers with deposits paid.

    2. They are still able to take up to another dozen but they would need to be confirmed and be fully paid up before the end of May, so it is still open to late-comers. Interested DLI Association members should contact Richard Tough by e-mail, text or phone (07745 012209); a £40 per person deposit will secure a place.

    3. Details are: Travel with Durham City Coaches, 2 nights B&B, plus evening meal at the Staffordshire Tillington Hall Hotel***, with coach-hire throughout for £139.00 per person. A single room carries a£15 surcharge. Dinner is a choice of 3 starters, 3 mains, 3 deserts (incl vegetarian option) and served at tables of 6, 4 and 2.

39. RETURN OF 2017 ANNUAL LIGHT INFANTRY ASSOCIATION DRAW TICKETS

    1. Patrick Warren, organiser of the Annual Light Infantry Annual Draw recognises the support of the branches of the DLI Association to the Light Infantry Annual Draw and asks that any outstanding stubs and cash be returned to him as soon as possible. He is also able to supply further draw tickets as required.

    2. He also asks that in future all cheques be made payable to the Light Infantry and Rifles Association Draw and not to him personally as it is important that his personal bank account is not seen as being a part of the cash collection system for the draw..

    3. Anyone requiring further Light Infantry Draw Ticket should contact The Association Secretary or Patrick Warren on bo.diddley@talktalk.net

39. POPPY OF HONOUR PROJECT

1. A giant Remembrance Poppy has been commissioned to be constructed of steel and glass which when erected will stand 2.6m high. 2.2m wide and 300 mm

2. It will contain 1,115,471 individual Poppies with Rank, Name and Date of KIA/MIA of every British and Commonwealth Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Follower or Labourer lost during World War 1.

3. It will include the Names of 800 women killed in WW1 and also the 306 soldiers who were shot at dawn, and who have been granted a Royal pardon.

4. Each individual Poppy will be hand written with the Rank, Name and date the serviceman was Killed in Action or Missing in action. Each individual hand written Poppy will be permanently sealed inside the glass and steel Poppy, only when the last hand written Poppy is placed inside,

5. We are hoping that this memorial will become the People’s Memorial to those who never returned to their loved ones or countries of birth.

6. For further details of this interesting project or if you are interested in getting involved in the Poppy of Honour project 2018 write to Request a Form:

Poppy of Honour 2018, 2 Marlstone Court, Woodhayes, Henstridge, Templecombe BA8 0SH

Phone: 07821303120, E-mail: admin@poppyofhonour2018.org.uk

39. DEATHS The following deaths have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of the last Monthly Bulletin

Colin Watson, secretary of Spennymoor Branch DLI Association for 11 years and Case worker for the Durham Area of SSAFA

22774921 Pte Ernest Castelow (KOYLI)/DLI.Died Saturday 01 April 2017.  He served in Korea with the DLI July 1952 – July 1953.

Davie Prins , died Sat 8 April 2017 at Ollerton Yorkshire after a long illness.He served Regular Forces and Territorial Army. Hs ilast appointment was as Catering Manager 7LI

Fred (Paddy) Hatch. Died on the 18th March, Colchester aged 73

Peter Wiles died on 15 April. One of the wider DLI Family and a member of the Consett and Stanley Branch

May They Rest in Peace



Elvet Waterside, Durham, DH1 3BW

7 May 2017

DLI Museum

To commemorate the first anniversary of the closure of the museum, we have put together this photographic record.

Start your tour HERE

DLI Museum

It is one year today the museum closed, all of the collection has been moved out to 7Hills and the University.

 

 

 

  

LINK TO ALL PHOTOS HERE

Durham Light Infantry Association

MONTHLY BULLETIN April 2017
17.26. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE DLI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Branches are reminded that the AGM of the DLI Executive takes place at 1400 hrs on 19 April 2017.
   
2. Secretaries are asked to ensure their branch Annual Finance Statement and Strength return for 2016 has been completed and sent to the Secretary (the deadline date was 17 February 2017).
   
3. The Agenda for the meeting can be found at Annex A to the January 2017 Monthly Bulletin.
   
4. Branches are asked to ensure they are represented at this meeting.

26. THE WORKING TOGETHER GROUP OF THE ASSOCIATION, FRIENDS AND DLI COLLECTION
    
    1. The Working Together Group of the Association, DLI Friends and Staff of the DLI Collection at Sevenhills held another successful working workshop the theme of which was the Second World War. The members of the group are looking to the post WW2 period. Quite a number of the group served at this time and they are being encouraged to make up boxes relating to their own service or on someone they knew who served at that time or who has recently found out about their own links to the DLI in the visits to schools.

26. COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF GRAVENSTAFEL RIDGE – 22 APRIL 1915
    
    1. The 8^th &11^th Bns DLI Old Comrades Association will commemorate this action in which students of the College of the Venerable Bede, who formed the Bede Contingent of 8^th Bn the Durham Light Infantry that fought at the 2^nd Battle of Ypres. The commemoration to be conducted by the Rev Kenneth Crawford, Chaplain to the DLI Association and Rev Timothy Robinson, College Chaplain, will take place at the Gravenstafel War Memorial on the Hild-Bede college lawn on 22 April 2017 beginning at 1800 hrs, followed by a Retreat played by the Band & Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force. This year there will be no ‘pavilion’ so the retreat will be played in Caedmon Hall.
       
    2. After the Retreat members of the O.C.A. will retire to the Gilesgate Armoury for their Annual Dinner, while college personnel will attend a function in the college.

26. NEW BRANCH STANDARD FOR BISHOP AUCKLAND BRANCH
    
    1. Five Branch Standards from Durham, Darlington/NewtonAycliffe, Spennymoor, Stockton, and Chester-le-Street attended the dedication of the Roland Boys Bradford VC paving stone and unveiling of a statue to the ‘Fighting Bradfords’ at Witton Park on 11 March 2017, when the Bishop Auckland Branch had its new branch standard dedicated. Present were the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Mrs Sue Snowdon, members of the Bradford family, past and present MPs, county and local councillors, members of the Witton Park community as well and veterans of the DLI and Light Infantry including the DLI Association Chairman Major Paul Wharton MM, serving officers of The Rifles, including Brig Charlie Collins, Colonel The Hon James Ramsbotham and the Rifles Secretary Durham, Major Chris Lawton. The service was conducted by the Chaplain to the DLI Association the Revd Kenneth Crawford with the vicar of Witton Park the Revd Elishiva Mechanic. Also present were General Sir Peter de la Billiere, who spoke eloquently at the dedication of the unique nature of the Durham Light Infantry and the soldiers who were part of it and in which Roland Bradford had served becoming the youngest Brigadier General in the British Army and which had influenced in no small way his own service life beginning as a DLI subaltern in Korea.

26. BISHOP AUCKLAND RAILWAY STATION GOLDEN THREAD PLAQUE UNVEILING
    
    1. The Bishop Auckland Branch of the DLI Association in conjunction with Bishop Auckland Town Council were present on Friday 17 March at 1030 hrs at the unveiling of a marble plaque in honour of the Golden Thread existing between the DLI, LI and The Rifles having been placed on the wall of Bishop Auckland Railway Station.   The Ceremony which honoured the many hundreds of serviceman of those Regiments who left Bishop Auckland from the Railway Station for service inn UK or abroad and through death or injury or other circumstance never returned. The ceremony involved a short service conducted by the DLI Association Padre, The Revd Kenneth Crawford, Major Paul Wharton MM spoke the words of the Exhortation, after which a Regimental Bugler sounded the Last Post, followed by a short silence and then the Reveille.    
       
    2. Other DLI Association members and Standards attended as well as councillors and staff of the Bishop Auckland Area Action Partnership (AAP) who had worked hard to bring this event to fruition.

26. BISHOP AUCKLAND BRANCH MEETING DETAILS – UPDATE
    
    1. Please note that the details for the monthly meeting of Bishop Auckland Branch have recently changed and are as follows: 2^nd MONDAY IN THE MONTH at 1900hrs RAFA Club, 43-47 Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6HS

26. DLI ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES – 19 MARCH 2017
    
    1. The Games were hosted by Hartlepool Branch and held at the Belle View Club, Hartlepool.
       
    2. Results
       
    3. 
       
    4. 
       
    5. 

1. An examination of all the Results showed errors which have been corrected here. The Wooden Spoon had been presented to Stockton Branch, but this was incorrect. Horden & Peterlee should have been presented with this as can be seen from the Final Results Table. Horden & Peterlee can pick up the Wooden Spoon at the DLI Executive Meeting on 19 April 2017.
   
2. Thirteen branches took part in the games, 172 members attended and 128 meals were served, either Ham Salad or Beef Curry. The standard of the food presented was excellent and there was plenty of it.
26. LINK TO PHOTOS HERE

26. DEATHS REPORTED
    
    1. The following been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
    2. WO2 Charles Terence Sore died Colchester 28 Feb 17 aged: 62 .He served with 2LI
       May He Rest in Peace
       
27. 
28. Elvet Waterside Durham,
    DH1 3BW
    31 March 2017
    
    

New Exhibition Opened

THE DLI COLLECTION GALLERY:

A new free exhibition has opened at Durham University’s  Palace Green Library entitiled Courage, Comrades, Community.

It tells the story of the Durham soldier, included are several objects that have never been on display before.

DCC

Palace  Green Library

The Northern Echo

BISHOP AUCKLAND GOLDEN THREAD PLAQUE UNVEILING

The Bishop Auckland Branch of the DLI Association in conjunction with Bishop Auckland Town Council  unveiled a marble plaque in honour of the Golden Thread between The DLI, LI and The Rifles on the wall of Bishop Auckland Railway Station on Friday 17th March . A short service was conducted by the Association Padre, The Revd Kenneth Crawford, followed by the Last Post and Reveille.    

Link to all photos