BRANCH BULLETIN- SEPTEMBER 2011

70.11 DLI CLOTHING

The stock of DLI embroidered clothing has been replenished and we now have, Fleeces, long-sleeved V neck pullovers, baseball caps, wool hats, polo shorts and sweaters. These are in all sizes and orders can be placed by phone and collected at your leisure. We also have DLI cuff-links and tie pins in stock.

71.11 DURHAM BUGLE - AUTUMN EDITION

Will the following branches collect their Durham Bugles from the Rifles Durham Office as soon as they are able to do so:

Stockton

Ryhope & Silksworth

Hartlepool

Bishop Auckland

72.11 CHANGE OF VENUE/MEETING NIGHT

The Ryhope & Silksworth Branch have notified a change of Venue to The Derwenthurst Club, Ryhope. The meeting night has been changed to the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Please note and amend your records accordingly.

73.11 STOCK LIST

A list of stock items held at The Rifles Durham Office is enclosed with this Bulletin. Please circulate this list amongst your members and advise the Rifles Durham Office of any items they wish to purchase. These can be posted to the branch or collected on the usual sale or return basis.

74.11 REUNION RAFFLE

The Reunion Raffle raised the sum of £205.00. We wish to thank the Chester-Le-Street Branch for providing two ticket sellers who did an excellent job. Only one prize remained unclaimed at close of play. The member with ticket number 43819 can collect a bottle of quality red wine from the Rifles Durham office. If the prize remains unclaimed it will be added to the Indoor Games raffle in March 2012.

75.11 REDEDICATION SERVICE - 23 OCTOBER 2011

Branches have received an email from The Rifles Durham Secretary regarding a Rededication Service taking place in Skelton-cum-Newby near Ripon in North Yorkshire on Sunday 23 October 2011. The WWI Memorial which has DLI names upon it has recently been restored with the help of grants and donations to which the DLI Trustees subscribed

The location is the village hall in Skelton-cum Newby and the start time is 10.25 am - for satnavs the postcode is HG4 5AH. The presence of the DLI Association has been requested.

76.11 BOER WAR STATUETTE

The Rifles Durham Office has taken delivery of 5 Boer War Statuettes. It is badged DLI with Battle Honours and is priced at £37.50.

77.11 DEATHS

The following death has been notified to the Rifles Durham Office:

DAVID STONES

Aged 57 years

Chairman of the Bishop Auckland Branch

for over 20 years

 

Kevin Storey BEM

Secretary,

Elvet Waterside

Elizabeth Cross Presentation

On September 21st the family of Private Gerald Clarke met at the Rifles Durham office to receive the Elizabeth Cross and Scroll, in recognition of their loss and sacrifice.

They were presented to John, brother of Gerald, and his family on behalf of a grateful Nation by the Lord Lieutenant of Durham.

A brief summary of the events leading up to the action in which Private Gerald Clarke of The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry gave his life was read out before the presentation.

Gerald Clarke was born on the 2^nd of July 1932 in Durham and enlisted into the British Army on the 18^th of October 1950, joining the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

The Korean War had begun in June 1950 and involved troops from the United Nations supporting South Korea against the forces of North Korea who were aided by the People's Republic of China (PRC). The war was a result of the physical division of Korea by an agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Second World.

In the summer of 1951 Private Clarke was posted with his Battalion to join the conflict in Korea. As British Army units deployed into operational theatres many soldiers were transferred to Regiments where they were most needed and in October 1951 Private Clarke was transferred to the 1^st Battalion The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

Very soon afterwards the Battalion was deployed to block the Chinese offensive which had the aim of seizing tactically important hills in the Imjin River area. Fighting continued throughout October as the opposing sides vied for position, seeking geographic advantage. The 1^st Battalion sent out fighting patrols onto the scrub covered hills to probe the enemy defences and the Chinese shelled the British positions, subjecting the soldiers dug in along the front lines to conditions reminiscent of the First World War.

On the 17^th of November Chinese forces overran British and Australian positions in fierce, close quarter fighting. The following day, the 18^th of November 1951, The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry advanced against the Chinese, driving them back to retake the strategic hills and regain control of the area. During this phase of the fighting, Gerald Clarke died in action.

Gerald now lies in the United Nations Military Cemetery, Tanggok near Pusan, Korea.

 

 

DLI Reunion Sept.2011

There was another good turnout for this year 's event, despite the forcast for wind and showers. In the end the rain kept off and the parade went smoothly.

LINK to all photos.

Military Vehicle Rally Update

The event took place on a cold and windy Bank Holiday Sunday but it seemed to warm up for the Monday.

The main car park had to be used for the exhibits because of the condition of the grassed area, at least the rain kept away.

 

 

LINK to all Photos

Museum Talks Programme

Saturday 10 September - 2.00pm

Development of the Vickers - Maxim Machine Gun

by Martin Pegler.

The story of the Vickers-Maxim is a surprising but fascinating one, involving light bulbs, hair curlers and a man of extraordinary genius. Find out more about this longest serving of all automatic weapons.

Tickets (normal admission cost also applies)

Adult £4.50, Concession £3.50, Children (4-16 years) £2.50

Annual Pass Holders

Adult £2.50, Concession £2.00, Children (4-16 years) £1.50

Tickets can be bought in advance from the DLI shop or by calling 0191 384 2214.

The Durham Light Infantry Association

BRANCH BULLETIN AUGUST 2011

62.11 FIRST AID

The cost of covering the Annual Reunion with first aiders from St John’s Ambulance is becoming expensive for the period for which cover is required. We are quite certain that amongst the membership of the Association there will be individuals who are trained medics/first aiders and have the necessary certificates of competence from the army or industry. Will branches please trawl their membership and identify any individual who have such qualifications and are willing to make themselves available at functions such as the Annual Reunion or Indoor Games. We would of course come to some arrangements regarding payment for these services. This issue will be an agenda item for the next Executive Committee in November.

63.11 REUNION RAFFLE

Please be reminded that all branches are expected to donate a prize for the Reunion Raffle. Please ensure that the name of the branch is clearly displayed on the donated prize.

Prizes should be handed in to the Rifles Durham Office by Thursday 8 September or handed in to Shirley at the ‘Shop’ at Bede College. Two ticket sellers should be provided by the Chester-Le-Street branch who should report to Shirley at the shop who will provide tickets, bag and instructions - tickets 5 for £1.00.

64.11 ROLL OF HONOUR 2010/2011

Enclosed with this Bulletin please find the Roll of Honour for 2010/2011. Please examine it and report any errors or omissions to the Rifles Durham Office by Monday 5 September 2011.

65.11 ASSOCIATION SWEEPSTAKE

Will all branches who have not yet returned counterfoils and cash for this years Sweepstake please do so to the Rifles Office Durham as soon as they are able to do so. The draw takes place on Thursday 29th September

66.11 CEREMONY OF PRAYER AND DEDICATION

Branches of the Association have been invited to a Ceremony of Prayer & Dedication to incorporate an inscribed stone tablet at the War Memorial at Welfare Park Blackhall on Wednesday 7 September 2011 to commence at 3PM. The inscription is to honour the sacrifice of the many service personnel who have given their lives since the end of the second world war. Those attending will meet afterwards in the RAF Association Club. To accept this invitation please confirm by 31 August if you are able to attend with your Standard to The Secretary RAFA Blackhall, Hartlepool TS27 4AE.

67.11 CALLING ALL VETERANS

The Royal British Legion need 90 fit Veterans to each raise £100 and cycle, run or wheelchair 10 miles to raise £9,000 for the Royal British Legion’s 90th Anniversary Appeal in the Region on 29 October 2011. If any member is up to the 90 for 90 Challenge they can sign up by calling David Bell on 0191 495 9515.

68.11 DLI BOOKS

The book “The Faithful Sixth” by Harry Moses is to be reprinted. This decision has been made because of the regular demand for the book which has been sold out for the last few years. It will be reprinted by local publishers “Memoir Club Ltd” who are based in Langley Park. The book will be available at the end of September and will be priced at £14.95. The publishers who have a web site at www.thememoirclub.co.uk will also be advertising and selling two other DLI books i.e. “The Fighting Bradfords” and “The Gateshead Gurkhas” both priced at £8.00. The publishers are also ready to print a new book by Harry Moses titled “For Your Tomorrow” the story of the 2nd Battalion DLI from 1919 until 1955 .

69.11 DEATHS

The following death has been reported to the Rifles Durham Office

Cpl A.E. Denchfield MM - 8 DLI

May He Rest in Peace

 

Kevin Storey, BEM

Secretary

Elvet Waterside

Military Vehicle Rally

August 28-29

The North East Military Vehicle Club will hold its annual show on the August Bank holiday weekend on the Sunday and Monday from 10am to 4pm in the grounds of the museum. The show always has in excess of 60 exhibits, so there is plenty to see and do.