Bench and Lectern Unveiled in Durham

A second bench and lectern has been unveiled on the Racecourse in Durham.

LINK TO ALL PHOTOS

A full report can be read at Durham Advertiser

Durham Cathedral

Bench and Lectern Unveiled

A new bench and lectern  to commemorate the Durham Pals battalion was unveiled on the Somme yesterday .

A full report can be found here. Durham Advertiser

100 Years Ago Today

EXACTLY 100 years ago today  ( Sept 9 ) was the Durham Light Infantry’s bloodiest day on the Somme.

More information and details of  the 405  who were killed can be found at The Durham Advertiser

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin September 2016

59. DLI ANNUAL REUNION

    1. The Association reports a successful DLI Reunion in 2016. The new parade format was shown to be successful allowing the Lord Lieutenant, Sue Snowdon, the opportunity to speak to many more of those on parade. The idea of a non-marching contingent was also successful allowing many Association members, not now fit enough to march, to share in the parade, which is always enjoyable for former soldiers. An interesting aspect is that the number parading in the two marching contingents was up on the normal parading numbers which was a somewhat unexpected benefit. The Association Chairman noted that numbers attending the cathedral service were up, hopefully in response to his earlier appeal, Most if not all branches paraded their standard, which were co-ordinated by John Pepper. The contribution to the parade organisation made by Michael Langelier and John Norton is appreciated.

    2. The Association Secretary apologises for the shuttle-bus service which was not successful. He has since has had discussions with the coach company which agrees that it did not fulfil the contract despite their driver having a correct copy of the contract and a refund will be paid to the Association. The Association Secretary is grateful for the patience and forbearance of those Association members and their wives who were delayed at the Porter’s Lodge of the College Green for so long after the cathedral service, and thanks the Cadet Force Band mini coach for coming to the rescue those stranded there.

    3. Numbers at the College of St Hild and St Bede were around their usual number. There were good sales at the Association shop, particularly of the Association Christmas Card, of which there is still a good supply available at the Rifles Office as well as other items. Thanks for this go to Shirley Nicholson, Admin Officer of the Rifles Office who ran the stall all day. The new DLI Friends stall run by Eddy Castling , assisted by Naomi and Carolyn was also successful in term of sales and information about the DLI Friends who have replaced the former DLI Museum Friends. Thanks go to them too.

    4. One again an enormous debt of thanks must go to Major Colin Miller, Director of Music and Derek Corbett, Bugle Major of the Band and Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force which supported the reunion in every way and then played for the Concert in the Caedmon Hall throughout the afternoon. Their support cannot be over-exaggerated. Without the Band & Bugles the Reunion weekend would be a pale reflection of what it is.

    LINKS TO PHOTOS John Attle  T Griffiths

60.  

    1. REUNION DINNERS The usual 1^st and 2^nd Bn WOs and Sgts Mess Dinner took place on 9^th September at the Durham City Rugby Club and the Officers Rifles Northern Dinner on 10 Sept in the Joachim Room of St Hild’s College.

59. DLI SEATS

    1. DLI Memorial seats are being placed at two locations during the week beginning 19 September. These have been financed by Durham County Council in association with the DLI Trustees and are to record the part played by the DLI in the Battle of the Somme .

Seat 1 This seat is to be located on the Somme itself.  To be dedicated in a ceremony on 19 September 2016 at the Somme beside Thiepval.  The Association Battlefield Tour party are hoping to take part in this ceremony, if it can disembark quickly from the Ferry in Zeebrugge and make its way without traffic congestion straight to Thiepval. We are told the ceremony is taking place at 1130hrs. 

Seat 2 This seat is to be located at Durham, on the Racecourse side of the river beside the bandstand.  It is identical to the one being dedicated on the Somme. The ceremony is to take place on Wed 21 September at 5.15pm beside the bandstand on the Racecourse side of the River Wear. DLI Association members (and any Branch Standards) are invited.  The DLI Association Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary as well as some other key Association personnel figures cannot be present as they are on the battlefield tour.

59. WW1 SOLDIER SEARCH REQUEST PROJECT

    1. In the August DLI Association Bulletin the Secretary spoke about the launch of a WW1 Soldier Search Request Project.

    2. Unfortunately, this was advertised as a DLI Friends and DLI Association shared project.  This is NOT the case. The DLI Friends, based at Sevenhills, are not involved with this project. The DLI Association is launching this as a separate, independent project with its own independent researcher.

    3. Peter Nelson, who is a volunteer helper at the Sevenhills Research Unit, has asked that it be made absolutely clear that any work he does at Sevenhills is done solely on behalf of the Durham County Council and in support of the DLI Collection. Any personnel searches requested at Sevenhills will be directed to the Durham County Record Office which fulfils such requests on behalf of Durham County Council.

59. DLI ASSOCIATION BATTLEFIELD TOUR TO THE SOMME

    1. A party of around 30 people from the Association with their wives and/or partners are making a 6 day, 5 nights tour of the Somme Battlefield following in the footsteps of 151 Brigade DLI Units, leaving Durham at 1300 hrs Sunday 18 Sept and returning 23 Sept. They are travelling by coach, crossing by the Hull to Zeebrugge Ferry and are being accommodated at the Holiday Express Inn at Arras. As stated above they hoped to be able to attend the dedication of the DLI Memorial Seat at Thiepval on the morning of the 19 Sept. This tour arranged by Galina International Battlefield Tours. The itinerary is being arranged by Clive Bowery and Harry Moses (author of several published works on the Durham Light Infantry).

59. SERVICE TO COMMEND THE BRAVERY OF ROLAND BOYS BRADFORD

    1. This confirms the service of celebration of the bravery of Roland Boys Bradford who lost his life while leading 151 Bde at the Battle of Warlencourt on 1^st October 1916 for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. This service will be held on Saturday 1 October 2016 at 11.00am, at St Paul’s Church Witton Park, DL14 …  The DLI Association Padre, the Revd Kenneth Crawford, will conduct the dedication service.  A bugler will be present to sound the appropriate bugle calls.  In addition to this the Commemoration will take place in the presence of HM Lord Lieutenant of the County of Durham, members of the family, local councillors and the great and good of County Durham

    2. This occasion is therefore particularly significant to all members of the DLI Association and members of the former Durham Light Infantry.  The Chairman is hoping that we can have a really good turnout of members and branch standards at the commemoration. I would be grateful if branch Chairmen would be aware of this as the date is very close and arrangements may need to be made.

    3. The dedication of the ‘paving stone’ to Roland Boys Bradford will take place in March 2017 of which you will receive notification in due course.

59. WARNING ORDER – DLI ASSOCIATION ORDINARY EXECUTIVE MEETING – 16 NOV 2016

    1. Branch Secretaries are reminded of the DLI Executive Ordinary Meeting to be held on Wed 16 November at 1400 hrs at the Rifles Office Durham.

    2. All branches are reminded that they should send a representative to this meeting.

    3. The decision on the location of the Association Indoor Games 2017 will be decided at this meeting. Branches bidding to host the games should be ready to present their bid at the meeting.

59. THE “FAITHFUL” INKERMAN DINNER CLUB’S DLI VICTORIA CROSS STONE

    1. As most of you already know discussions are taking place regarding the proposed move of “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club’s Victoria Cross Stone from its present position outside the former DLI Museum to a new location. It is hoped that this will be in front of Bishop Cosin’s Hall on Palace Green. At present this location has been given approval in principle, and it is now going through further decision making committees. Because of this it cannot be definitely stated where the VC Stone Ceremony will take place on 6 November 2016, the Sunday before Remembrance Day, when the ceremony traditionally takes place. If the stone has not been relocated by then the ceremony will take place at the old site beside the Museum. If this is the case there will be no refreshments reception. This is regretted. If the stone has been moved by then the ceremony will take place on Palace Green, where it is hoped there would be a reception. You will be kept up to date about the arrangements in due course. Mr Ralph Harrison (Chairman) or Mr Brian Laverick (Secretary/Treasurer) will have the necessary details.

59. DINNER CLUB OF THE FORMER 7 BATTALION OFFICERS AND SENIORS

    1. Officers and Seniors of the former 7 Battalion the Light Infantry should by now have received information and a bidding return for this dinner which takes place on Sat 15 October 2016.

    2. If you should have received this invitation and have not done so, or know of others in this position please contact Marc Stuart on marc.stuart@btinternet.com or 07777 676090.

    3. Please note that the dinner takes place at the Gilesgate Armoury Reserve Army Centre not at its former location of the Eden Armoury in Bishop Auckland.

59. COMMEMORATION OF THE LIFE OF RICHARD DERRICK TURNBULL

    1. At the request of the Guisborough Branch of the RBL, the DLI Association has sent a Regimental Shield (Light Infantry) to Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, North Yorkshire, to be incorporated in a memorial to all former pupils killed in action with the military services. Richard Derrick Turnbull was one former pupil who became a member of the 3^rd Bn The Light Infantry and who was killed while on duty with 3LI in Belfast on 26 June 1977.

59. DEATHS REPORTED

    1. The following deaths have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.

    2. Dominic Lambert died on 4 August 2016 aged 82 years.He served with the DLI WIA 27 April 1953 in Korea

       George Forster a long-time member of Durham City Branch DLI Association

       Septimus Bainbridge Jobes, died 10 November 2015. Served in DLI during WW2

       Major (Retired) Fiji Kotwall RAMC, died: 17August 2016. Former Medical Officer (RMO2) 7 Bn Light Infantry

       Brian Paley died on 31 August 2016. He served in 1DLI in Berlin and Korea. Former Chairman of Consett & Stanley Branch and continuing member of the DLI Association until recently

       Arnold Dunne, died: 24 August 2016.in the Greenbank Care Home. He served with the RAF REGT and was a long time member of the Chester-le-Street Branch DLI Association

        

       May They Rest in Peace

    3.  

60. 

61.  

62. Elvet Waterside Durham,

    DH1 3BW

    16 September 2016

Free Talk– Preston Park Museum

Thursday 22 September 7 – 8pm

Spence and the Journey of the  5th Durham Light Infantry Presented by Christopher Young,  Collections Assistant, Preston Park Museum

Discover more about Colonel Spence, his family life, interests and career. The talk will also cover the journey of the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, their battles, life at rest and profiles on the brave men, most of whom originated from Stockton and surrounding areas.

Advanced booking required for all talks. Reserve your place by telephoning  01642 527375.

OPENING TIMES AND ADMISSIONS
Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 4pm (last admission 3.30pm) Closed Mondays except bank holidays and during school holidays Adult: £2.50 Concession/child: £1.50 Family ticket (2 adults +4 concessions): £5 All tickets are valid for one year from date of issue.
PRESTON PARK MUSEUM & GROUNDS YARM ROAD, STOCKTON-ON-TEES TS18

DLI Christmas Card

The 2016 Christmas Card is on sale at the Rifles Office

It commemorates the 100 Anniversary of the battle of the Somme. The front shows the Thiepval Memorial, the rear some information about the battle of the Somme. The inside is suitably Christmassy. The front and Back of the card can be seen below. The order form is below:

 

Rear of the card text

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME

Thiepval Memorial has inscribed on its arches the names of more than 72000 soldiers who fought at the Battle of the Somme and who have no known grave. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and built between 1928 and 1932. It is the largest Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing in the world.

The Battle of the Somme began with the huge explosion on Hawthorn Ridge at 7.28am on 1st July 1916. This explosion resulted in a huge crater which exists to this day known as the Lochnagar Crater.

On hearing the explosion, officers’ whistles were sounded and the British troops emerged from their trenches to begin the crossing of no-man’s land towards the German trenches, which had been subjected to a British artillery bombardment for 5 days. The British troops had been told the German barbed wire had been cut and their trenches destroyed so they would be able to advance to the German front line unopposed.

This was not to be. The German wire in most places was intact and the German trenches many feet deep had not been much damaged. The Germans emerged from their trenches, and engaged the British troops with carefully sited machine guns. The British infantry advanced into a wall of machine gun fire and sustained enormous casualties. Approximately 60,000 British soldiers were killed on that day and what ground was captured was in most cases given up within days.

It was the blackest day the British Army ever faced. Two Durham Light Infantry Battalions, the 15th and the 18th ‘Pals’ were deployed on that day. The 18th suffered 58% casualties.

Other DLI battalions that fought on the Somme in the following days were the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 19th. The Battle of the Somme continued until 18th November when it ground to a halt.

Price List

The Durham Light Infantry Association

Monthly Bulletin August 2016

52. DLI REUNION 2016

1. In the July Monthly Bulletin the dates of the DLI Reunion were given as 11-13 September. The dates are in fact 9-11 September; as follows: Fri 9 Sept: W02 & Sgt Mess Dinner, Sat 10 Sept: Rifles Officers Northern Dinner, Sun 11 Sept: DLI Reunion. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
   
2. The DLI Association Parade forms up at 1145 hrs on 11 September in the Cathedral Close. Members should remember that the Association are not parading in Branches, but are forming 2 Marching Contingents.
   
3. Non Marching Contingent It is hoped that as many members as possible who are not up to taking part in the march-past will parade with the non-marching contingent. In this way they will still be a part of the parade which will be inspected by HM’s Lord Lieutenant for County Durham Mrs Sue Snowdon and other senior officers, and boost parade numbers generally.
   
4. Cathedral Service It is hoped as many members as possible will attend the cathedral service which takes place immediately after the parade, and which is a core part of the DLI Reunion and during which the DLI Roll of Honour will be read.
   
5. The Re Association will be providing free shuttle minibuses on Reunion Day for the convenience of Association members and families to run from the Sands Car Park to the Cathedral Close from 1030 -1130 hrs, and from the cathedral (after the service) to the College of Hild & Bede.
   
6. The Band & Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force will play at the Reunion Parade in the Cathedral Close as well as at the concert which takes place in the Caedmon Hall at the College of St Hild & St Bede in the afternoon.
   
7. A bar will be provided in the Caedmon Room. The Association has been assured that this bar will be properly manned during the afternoon.
   
8. Those who wish to will be able purchase tickets from the Rifles Office for the lunch in the college dining room. These must be pre-ordered.
   
9. The DLI Association/DLI Friends shop will be open as usual during the course of the afternoon.

.

52. THE LAHORE TRADES CUP

16.53.01 Sunday 31^st July saw the county cricket clubs of Durham and Yorkshire compete for the Lahore Trades Cup at the Emirates Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street. The Lahore Cup was originally a Football Cup which was won in perpetuity by the DLI in British India and is now part of the DLI Silver Collection. The Cup was offered for competition between the two clubs but it is some years since it was last competed for. This match was of 50 overs in the Royal London One-Day Cup competition. The match was keenly fought by the two teams and was narrowly won by 15 runs by Durham It is proposed the competition for the Lahore Trades Cup should continue in future years. The match was played in the presence HM Lord Lieutenant of the County of Durham, the Trustees of the DLI and the KOYLI as well as representatives of Durham County Council, the DLI Association and DLI Friends. Fanfares were by Buglers of D Rifles Coy 5 Bn RRF.

52. DLI ASSOCIATION/DLI FRIENDS - PRESIDENT’S/CHAIRMEN’S MEETING

1. At a recent DLI Executive Meeting there was a proposal from the Secretary to invite the Presidents/Chairmen of all the Branches to a meeting to be held at the Sevenhills facility to introduce them to the facility and to discuss ways of involving branch members in outreach work with the DLI Friends.
   
2. Presidents/Chairmen have received a letter inviting them to this meeting which will be held at 1000 hrs on Tuesday 18 October at Sevenhills.

52. DLI ASSOCIATION WW1 SOLDIER SEARCH REQUEST PROJECT
    1. Are you looking for a WW1 soldier ancestor? The DLI Association are now in a position to offer a WW1 soldier Search Request available to DLI Association members and the general public to discover an ancestor’s military history. There is a charge for this work, but all profits made from this project come to the DLI Association. Details of this scheme can be found in Annex A to this Bulletin.

52. DLI CHRISTMAS CARD

1. he 2016 Christmas Card is on sale at the Rifles Office
   
2. It commemorates the 100 Anniversary of the battle of the Somme. The front shows the Thiepval Memorial, the rear some information about the battle of the Somme. The inside is suitably Christmassy. The front and Back of the card can be seen below. The order form is below:

The Thiepval Memorial
100^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
Thiepval Memorial has inscribed on its arches the names of more than 72000 soldiers who fought at the Battle of the Somme and who have no known grave. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and built between 1928 and 1932. It is the largest Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing in the world.
The Battle of the Somme began with the huge explosion on Hawthorn Ridge at 7.28am on 1st July 1916. This explosion resulted in a huge crater which exists to this day known as the Lochnagar Crater.
On hearing the explosion, officers’ whistles were sounded and the British troops emerged from their trenches to begin the crossing of no-man’s land towards the German trenches, which had been subjected to a British artillery bombardment for 5 days. The British troops had been told the German barbed wire had been cut and their trenches destroyed so they would be able to advance to the German front line unopposed.
This was not to be. The German wire in most places was intact and the German trenches many feet deep had not been much damaged. The Germans emerged from their trenches, and engaged the British troops with carefully sited machine guns. The British infantry advanced into a wall of machine gun fire and sustained enormous casualties. Approximately 60,000 British soldiers were killed on that day and what ground was captured was in most cases given up within days.
It was the blackest day the British Army ever faced. Two Durham Light Infantry Battalions, the 15th and the 18th ‘Pals’ were deployed on that day. The 18th suffered 58% casualties.
Other DLI battalions that fought on the Somme in the following days were the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 19th. The Battle of the Somme continued until 18th November when it ground to a halt.
Front Back

THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS CARD 2016
PRICE P&P TOTAL
10 Cards @ 50p each £ 5.00 £1.00 £ 6.00
20 Cards @ 50p each £10.00 £1.50 £11.50
30 Cards @ 50p each £15.00 £2.00 £17.00
Cards can be collected free of charge from the Rifles Office.
Each card is supplied with an envelope.
Order Form
When completed lease send is order form to The Secretary. DLI Association, The Rifles Office, Elvet Waterside, Durham DH1 3BW.
Name ………………………………………………………….
Address ……………………………………………………….
Post Code ………………………… Tel No: ……………
Number of Cards Required ………….
I enclose a cheque (payable to the DLI Association) for …………….
(crossed account of payee only)
Signature …………………………… Date ……………………

52. ‘SPORTING FORCE’ (SUPPORTING HELP FOR HEROES) OFFER A FREE VETERANS CRICKET MATCH AT THE EMIRATES RIVERSIDE STADIUM - 23 AUG 2016 - DURHAM V WARWICKSHIRE

1. Free cricket and match for Veterans is on offer at the Emirates Riverside Stadium, Chester-le-Street.
   
2. Arrive at 1000 hrs and meet the team and the other organisations representatives. We then invite all present to join us for lunch. (Lunch is free but a small donation will be gratefully received into our collection bucket towards costs). During the day the veterans can chat again informally to our team and also to members of BLESMA, WWV and H4H.  This is a social event that we hope will be a sign posting event for any veteran needing help to smooth the transition into civilian life or ones who have left the services but not managed to achieve the career that they would of liked to. We offer employability courses, personal development programmes, work placements all centred around sports.  Please see our website for more details or our Facebook for up to date news.
   
3. If you would like to attend the match and be part of a great free day please apply via our website at www.sportingforce.org/apply or email jacqui.nicholson(at)sportingforce.org

52. DEATHS REPORTED

16.58.01 The following deaths have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
Geoff Heslop (D Coy 7LI)  died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday 30 July aged 70
David Buckingham, died Friday 29 July 2016. Served A Coy 7LI
George Marshman, died Tuesday 2 August 2016
May They Rest in Peace

Elvet Waterside,
Durham,
DH1 3BW
10 August 2016