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.

   

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Branch Bulletin July 2011

53.11 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES – AMENDMENT

Please amend para 13(b) of the Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 15 June 2011 to read as follows:

Gateshead & Newcastle advised the Committee that their September & December meetings had been converted to Social Mornings and all were invited.

54.11 CENOTAPH CEREMONY 2011

The Royal British Legion will once again be co-ordinating the Ex-Service Contingents attending the Cenotaph Ceremony & March Past on Sunday 13 November 2011. The Association as been allocated a maximum of 60 tickets and any branch or individual member who wishes to apply for tickets must do so via The Rifles Durham Office by Friday 19 August 2011. Anyone wishing to attend must be aware that they are likely to be standing in Whitehall for at least 90 minutes prior to the March Past and that the marching distance is over 1 mile, possibly in inclement weather.

55.11 ANNUAL REUNION – MEALS & ACCOMMODATION

All branches and those on our mailing list have received the Warning Order for the 2011 Annual Reunion. Please note that applications for accommodation and the Reunion Lunch must be made to The Rifles Durham Office on the form provided by Friday 19 August 2011. Payment for the lunch must accompany all applications.

56.11 CHRISTMAS CARDS 2011

Enclosed with this Bulletin please find an application for the purchase of the 2011 Christmas Card. The card features a Bugle Major in full dress circa 1850 with a wonderful background view of the River Wear and Durham Cathedral; the spire of St. Nicholas’s Church can also be seen. The cards are priced at 75p each and are a limited edition 1500.

 

57.11 CHRISTMAS CARDS – PREVIOUS YEARS

The Rifles Durham Office is holding a supply of Christmas Cards from previous years and these may be purchased in mixed packs of ten at £3.00 per pack.

58.11 DLI SWEEPSTAKE

Branches who have sold their ticket allocation are asked to return counterfoils and money to The Rifles Durham Office as soon as they are able to do so. Well done those branches who have already done so and a big thank you to all on our mailing list; many have sent donations to the Memorial Fund in addition to buying the tickets.

59.11 WORLD WAR 11 & KOREAN VETERANS

Would branches please compile a list of their members who are either WWII or Korean Veterans. Details of service with number, rank and names with addresses and telephone numbers would be appreciated. We are considering funding options for transport and accommodation when the date of the Memorial dedication date is known. There is no urgency but an early response would be appreciated.

60.11 CLOTHING STOCK

A supply of baseball caps and other items of popular DLI embroidered clothing have been ordered and will be available shortly. Please telephone Shirley on 0191 3865496 to confirm availability.

DEATHS

The Rifles Durham Office has been informed of the following deaths:

HARRY RAMMAGE – Consett & Stanley SB

JOHN JAMES THOMLINSON – 6 DLI

May they Rest in Peace.

 

Kevin Storey, BEM.

Secretary

Elvet Waterside