Durham Light Infantry Friends: The Durham Light Infantry Association

MONTHLY BULLETIN March 2017

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE DLI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. Branches are reminded of 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.

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 will next be asked to make up their own period boxes. Details of this will be published to the members shortly.

COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF GRAVENSTAFEL RIDGE – 25 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 Ferguson, College Chaplain, will take place at the Gravenstafel War Memorial on the Hild-Bede college lawn on 22 April 2017 beginning at 1815 hrs, followed by a Retreat played by the Band & Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force.
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.

NEW BRANCH STANDARDS FOR BISHOP AUCKLAND BRANCH
1. Branch Standard Bearers with their standards are encouraged to attend the dedication of the Roland Bradford VC paving stone at Witton Park on 11 March 2017, where on the same day the Bishop Auckland Branch will have its new standard dedicated and a statue to the Fighting Bradfords will be unveiled. The days starts at 1030 hrs. Parking will be difficult as the central village road will be closed.

BISHOP AUCKLAND GOLDEN THREAD PLAQUE UNVEILING
1. The Bishop Auckland Branch of the DLI Association in conjunction with Bishop Auckland Town Council will unveil 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 17 March at 10.30hrs/am. The Ceremony will involve a short service conducted by the Association Padre, The Revd Kenneth Crawford, followed by a Regimental Bugler to sound the Last Post and Reveille.
2. Other DLI Branch members and Standards are most welcome to attend and show support to this event. All attending should be at the railway Station for 10.00. Dress: Normal Association dress, medals and head-dress.

LIGHT INFANTRY EVENT – SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017
1. The Light Infantry (North East) Social Event took place in the Don War Memorial Bar, Silver St, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1SX, on Saturday 25th Feb from 1900 hours. There was an excellent turn out from veterans of DLI, Light Infantry and the Rifles and wives and partners. A group of five Buglers from the Light Division and Rifles Bugle Association were present sounding all the calls and playing alongside the CD were able to expand their repertoire to include ‘High on a Hill’, beloved of all. All money raised on the night was distributed equally between the Light Division and Rifles Bugle Association, the 2017 Light Infantry Reunion (Shrewsbury) and The Rifles Charity (Care for Casualties). Hot and cold buffet was provided. An enjoyable but extremely noisy occasion in the true traditions of the Regiments.

DEDICATION OF THE NEW STANDARD FOR THE BISHOP AUCKLAND BRANCH, THE COMMEMORATION OF THE VC PAVING STONE FOR ROLAND BOYS BRADFORD AT WITTON PARK BEGINNING AT 1030 HRS
1. Members are reminded that the commemoration will take place on Sat 11 March in the village of Witton Park which was extensively covered in last month’s bulletin. The event will include the dedication of a new branch standard for Bishop Auckland in the Memorial Park, the dedication the Commemorative Paving Stone to Roland Boys Bradford and the unveiling of a new statue. All Association members and branch standards are welcome.
2. Please note that the village will be closed to traffic for the duration of the ceremony, which will mean that parking will be extremely difficult in the area.

FUNERAL OF CAPT PETER BARKER
1. There was a good turn-out of former Light Infantrymen and their families at the funeral of Capt Peter Barker on 16^th February at St Patrick’s RC Church in Hartlepool. Many former colleagues had travelled from around the country to be present. The Eulogy was delivered by David Wroe, whose military career had followed Peter’s over much of their service lives. The Wake at the Catholic Club followed and was well attended, where many greeted old friends not seen for some time. Our condolences go to Eileen and her family.

DEATHS REPORTED
1. The following been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
2. Capt Peter Barker died 6 February 2017. He served with KOYLI and mostly 2LI. After retirement PSAO 7LI
  Lt Col Tim Barker OBE died Mon 6 February 2017. He served with KOYLI, 2LI, 7LI . Also served as Commanding Officer 7LI 1983-1986
  May They Rest in Peace

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