MONTHLY BULLETIN March 2017
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE DLI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Branches are reminded of the AGM of the DLI Executive takes place at 1400 hrs on 19 April 2017.
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).
The Agenda for the meeting can be found at Annex A to the January 2017 Monthly Bulletin.
Branches are asked to ensure they are represented at this meeting.
THE WORKING TOGETHER GROUP OF THE ASSOCIATION, FRIENDS AND DLI COLLECTION
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
The 8th &11th 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 8th Bn the Durham Light Infantry that fought at the 2nd 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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
There was a good turn-out of former Light Infantrymen and their families at the funeral of Capt Peter Barker on 16th 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
The following been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
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
Elvet Waterside Durham,
DH1 3BW
06 March 2017
As the proposed date of 11 March for this conflicts with the VC Stone event at Witton Park a new date will be arranged
Regards,
Alasdair
A J P Watson
Major (Retd)
Secretary
DLI Friends
The Durham Light Infantry Association
GUYZANCE COMMEMORATION –
The 72nd Anniversary of the Guyzance Tragedy occurred on 17 Jan 2017. A short Ceremony was conducted at the memorial beside Guyzance Weir by the DLI Chaplain the Revd Kenneth Crawford accompanied by officers of the Association, Branch representatives, Standard Bearers and a Bugler. This commemorated the drowning, on exercise, of eight DLI and two trainees from the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment there on 17 Jan 1945. Local councillors and parishioners were also present at the commemoration.
WORKING TOGETHER GROUP
The Working Together Group of the Association, DLI Friends and Education Staff of the DLI Collection met together on Thursday 26 January and will meet again on 28 February at 1000 hrs at Seven Hills to begin to put together a programme of outreach work to enable the DLI Friends and Education Group to benefit from the skills and military knowledge of the members of the DLI Association.
15 Members of the group have met already and it is hoped that others will join the group.
A programme has been drawn up to take this forward.
THE SUBMISSION OF BRANCH ACCOUNTS AND MEMBERSHIP RETURNS
The deadline date for submission to the Association Secretary is 17 February 2017.
The format was tabled with the meeting papers for the Ordinary Executive Meeting of 16 November 2016, and it was contained in the December bulletin, but can also be obtained from the Association Secretary
Both returns can be made on the same sheet.
PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE 2018 CALENDAR
Thanks to those branches which are sending in photos of branch activities for the 2018 Calendar.
I am hoping that by around September this year I will have sufficient photos to start putting together the calendar. It may be that we will be able to have two pictures per month. It depends on what you send me. It is important that the pictures you send are as high a quality as possible. If you are taking them on a mobile phone, choose the highest setting possible or when they are enlarged they may become pixillated (individual pixels, small single-coloured square display elements that comprise the bitmap, are visible) to the extent it may be impossible to use them.
DEDICATION OF THE NEW STANDARD FOR THE BISHOP AUCKLAND BRANCH, THE COMMEMORATION OF THE VICTORIA CROSS PAVING STONE FOR ROLAND BOYS BRADFORD & THE UNVEILING OF THE BRADFORD STATUE IN THE NEWLY REFURBISHED MEMORIAL GARDEN AT WITTON PARK
This commemoration will take place on Sat 11 March 2017 in the village of Witton Park where all the Bradford brothers were born. The event will begin with a dedication of the new branch standard for Bishop Auckland in the Memorial Park. Following this dedication the Commemorative Paving Stone to Roland Boys Bradford and the new statue will be unveiled. All Association members and branch standards are welcome to the two ceremonies. Sadly there will be no ‘indoor accommodation or refreshments’ for those attending, other than those specifically invited, as the indoor accommodation at Witton Park is too small to accommodate it.
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, if not impossible in the village itself and movement for those with mobility problems extremely problematic.
SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES FOR THE DLI ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES – 19 MARCH 2017
This is to remind Secretaries of the need to submit Entries for the 2017 Association Indoor games by Friday 24 February 2017.
For those who require it, a copy of the Indoor Games Branch Entry Form and the Rules governing the Indoor Games can be found at Annex A to this Bulletin.
LIGHT INFANTRY EVENT – SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017
A Light Infantry (North East) Social Event will take place in the Don War Memorial Bar, Silver St, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1SX, on Saturday 25th Feb from 1900 hours. All veterans of the Light Infantry and the County Regiments are welcome. As usual it will be not for profit, and all money raised on the night will be distributed equally between the Light Division and Rifles Bugle Association, the 2017 LI reunion (Shrewsbury) and The Rifles Charity (Care for Casualties). Hot and cold buffet is available. Dress casual. Tickets £5.00, pay at the door. Once again the raffle is a big part of the funds raised and we rely on your generosity for contributions. The venue is open till late.
GRAVENSTAFEL RIDGE COMMEMORATION & 8/11 BATTALIONS O.C.A. DINNER
This is the Warning Order for these events which take place on Saturday 22 April 2017.
The Gravenstafel Commemoration and Retreat sounded by the Durham Army Cadet Force Band & Bugles takes on the lawn beside the Memorial at the College of Hild-Bede at 1800 hrs.
The 8/11 Bns O.C.A. Annual Dinner at the Gilesgate RAC, commencing at 2000 hrs.
More details of and application for these events will be issued later by the O.C.A.
DEATHS REPORTED
The following been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
Charles Mark Robinson, born 1935, died 25 November 2016. He served with 1 DLI
May He Rest in Peace
Elvet Waterside Durham,
DH1 3BW
06 February 2017
Monthly Bulletin January 2017
THE BUGLE – The Journal of The Rifles
Copies of latest issue of THE BUGLE, the Journal of The Rifles, are now held in The Rifles Durham Office. This is a high quality publication in full cover with lots of first class photographs and contains all the up-to-date information about The Rifles. It also has a large section of Regimental Association news from all the counties including a fourteen page section on News from Durham, which is far in excess of what the other Associations submit. It is an annual publication priced at £13 per copy and can be obtained from The Rifles office at Elvet Waterside or by telephoning 0191 3865496. Alternatively it can be purchased at the same price on a subscription basis direct from RHQ the Rifles, Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hants SO23 8TS by completing and sending a standing order form available at Annex B to this Bulletin or in the magazine itself or from the Rifles Durham Office.
The information in ‘The News from Durham’ contained in The Bugles is taken from information (articles) and photographs submitted to the Regimental Secretary (Durham) by individuals and/or branches throughout the year. If your branch takes part in interesting activities, and you wish to see them covered in The Bugle, details of them should be submitted to the Regimental Secretary so that they can be included in subsequent issues.
AGM OF THE DLI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE – 19 APRIL 2017 – 1400 hrs
As notified in the minutes of the last Ordinary Meeting of the DLI Executive, and in the December issue of the Association Monthly Bulletin, this meeting will take place at The Rifles Office, Durham beginning at 1400 hours.
The agenda can be found at Annex A to this bulletin.
All branches are asked to ensure they are represented at this meeting.
THE SUBMISSION OF BRANCH ACCOUNTS AND MEMBERSHIP RETURNS
The deadline date for submission to the Association Secretary is 17 February 2017.
The format was tabled with the meeting papers for the Ordinary Executive Meeting of 16 November 2016, and it was contained in the December bulletin, but can also be obtained from the Association Secretary
Both returns can be made of the same sheet.
ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES 2017
Branch Entries and Entry Fees for the DLI Association Indoor Games are required by 24 February 2017. The Entry Form was distributed through the December 2016 Monthly Bulletin. The location of the Games is confirmed as the Belle View Social Club, Kendal Road, Hartlepool, TS251QU
The Rules of the Indoor Games were also distributed in the December Monthly Bulletin. They will be strictly applied.
Please note that members of the Association in addition to the team members are also invited to the Indoor Games. However if they wish to have a meal this must be paid for in advance. The cost is £4.00 and should be paid to the Association Secretary by 24 February 2017.
FORMAT OF THE 2018 DLI ASSOCIATION CALENDAR
This will follow a similar format to the 2017 Calendar.
The success of the calendar lies in the sales which can be achieved for it. As well as showing interesting activities sales are boosted by having recognisable photographs of Association members taking part. The more high quality photos of interesting Association activities with members involved the better. Please sent electronic photos to the Association Secretary for inclusion in next years calendar as soon as they become available.
72nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE GUYZANCE TRAGEDY
17.06.01 The short annual Commemoration Service will take place at 1100 hrs at the Guyzance Weir, Guyzance, Northumberland on Tuesday 17 January 2017 to remember the deaths during training of 8 Durham Light Infantry Trainees and two trainees of the Duke of Wellington’s regiment who were drowned at the Guyzance weir on 17 January 1945 when training for river crossings in the latter stages of World War 2. DLI Association Standards are invited to the commemoration. The ceremony will be conducted by the DLI Association Chaplain the Revd Kenneth Crawford in the presence of members of the Association and a bugler. The opportunity to retire to the Northumberland Arms will follow the ceremony.
DEATHS REPORTED
The following been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
John White aged 75, born in Darlington 1941 died 1 December 2016 in Evesham. Served in the DLI Pioneers in 1960s
May He Rest in Peace
Elvet Waterside Durham,
DH1 3BW
10 January 2017
Monthly Bulletin December 2016
16.73 SEASONS GREETINGS
16.73.01 The Chairman, Major Paul Wharton MM, the Vice Chairman, Major Chris Lawton MBE DL, the Secretary, Lt Col John Heron TD, and the Rifles Office Administration Officer Mrs Shirley Nicholson extend to all Association members their season’s greetings and best wishes for the 2017, coupled with their thanks to all members for their enthusiastic support of the Association activities and enterprises which have taken place throughout 2016.
16.73.02 With your support we anticipate an equally successful year in 2017.
16.74 RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
16.74.01 On 29th November 2016 three members of the Association were honoured to attend a Reception given at Buckingham Palace by The Queen to celebrate the Patronages and Affiliations of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy. They were Major Paul Wharton MM, Lt Col John Heron TD and Mr Michael Coulson of the Durham Branch of the Association.
WARNING ORDER-DLI EXECUTUVE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2017
This will take place on Wednesday 19 April 2017 at 1400 hrs at the Rifles Office Durham. Branches are asked to ensure that they have a representative to attend this meeting
An agenda for the meeting will be issued by the Secretary in due course
16.76 DLI ASSOCIATION INDOOR GAMES 2017
16.76.01 The DLI Association Indoor Games for 2017 have been awarded to the Hartlepool Branch
16.76.02 The Games will take place on Sunday 19 March 2017 at The Belle View Social Club, Kendal Rd, Hartlepool TS25 1QU.
16.76.03 Hartlepool Branch will be responsible for all arrangements at the venue and will liaise closely with the Secretary in terms of the lunch menu and tickets.
16.76.04 Rules for the conduct of the Games can be seen at Annex A to this Bulletin. The Entry Form can be seen at Annex B to this Bulletin.
ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS CARDS AND CALENDARS
Association Calendars and Christmas Card are still available at the Rifles Office Durham.
Calendars are priced at £5.00 and are accompanied by an enveloped for posting. Their theme is activities of the Association during the year and feature members of the Association.
Christmas cards are available at £5.00 for 10. They are on the theme of the Battle of the Somme which took place 100 years ago in 1916.
WARNING ORDER FOR THE SUBMISSION OF BRANCH ACCOUNTS AND MEMBERSHIP RETURNS
The deadline date for submission tto the Association Secretary is 17 February 2017.
The format was tabled with the meeting papers, but can be obtained from the Association Secretary
Both returns can be made of the same sheet.
PAYMENT OF BRANCH OUTSTANDING BILLS AND INVOICES
Bearing in mind the need to complete the Branch Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2016 branches are asked to settle all outstanding bills and invoices as soon as possible.
DEATHS REPORTED
The following deaths have been reported to the Rifles Office since the publication of last month’s bulletin.
Benjamin ‘Benny’ Hunter
Roy Anthony Stoddart died 13 Oct 2016. Served with 2 Bn KOYLI in D Coy
Gordon Rosser died 13 November 2016a ged 75 years. Served SCLI, 1LI, 6LI and ended his service as a Colour S/Sgt
Nelson ‘Nelly’ Bassett died 13 November 2016.Served with SCLI and 1LI and ending his service as RSM
John Thornby died 24 Nov 2016. Served DLI. Member of the Washington Branch DLI
Clive Brown born in 1934 died on 16th Nov 2016 aged 82yrs. Served with 2 DLI and then 8 DLI. Former Bisley medal winner (machine gun)
May They Rest in Peace
Elvet Waterside Durham,
DH1 3BW
10 December 2016
