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- 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War -


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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry



   The 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at the Drill Hall, Gilesgate, Durham.

A Coy was also based there, being drawn from from Gilesgate, Sherburn Hill, Brandon and Sacriston, B Coy was also based at Gilesgate, C Coy was based in Lumley Terrace Chester-le-Street, D Coy at the Drill Hall, Birtley, E Coy at The Armoury, Beamish and Burnhope, F Coy at the Drill Hall, Stanley, G Coy at The Armoury's in Washington and Houghton-le-Spring and H Coy at Drill Hall, Hamsteels and also recruited from Langley Park and Sleetburn.

After training in Britain they proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915 landing at Boulogne to joined 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915 and in June after suffering heavy casualties merged with the 6th DLI to become the 6/8th until mid August.

They were in action again on the Somme in 1916 and at Arras and Passchendaele in 1917, in 1918 saw action on The Somme and in the Battles of the Lys. In August the 8th DLI transferred to 117th Brigade, 39th Division and was disbanded in France on the 6th of November 1918.

4th Aug 1914 Durham Territorials break camp  At Conway Camp in North Wales, reveille was sounded at 4am. The Territorials of the 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions Durham Light Infantry quickly broke camp and marched to the station to board special trains back to their County Durham bases to mobilize for war.

11th DLI Martin Bashforth



1st Sep 1914 8th DLI on the Move

17th April 1915 On the Move

17th Apr 1915 On the Move

18th Apr 1915 Stores

19th April 1915 On the Move

19th Apr 1915 On the Move

19th of April 1915 Establishing HQs

20th April 1915 On the Move

20th Apr 1915 On the Move

21st April 1915 Inspections

21st Apr 1915 Inspections

22nd April 1915 Arms Tested

22nd Apr 1915 On Stand by

22nd Apr 1915 Arms Tested

22nd of April 1915 Germans Attack

22nd of April 1915 Standing by

23rd of April 1915 Under attack

23rd of April 1915 Northunberlands Transferred

23rd of April 1915 Concentration

23rd of April 1915 Divisional Movements

23rd of April 1915 Delays

23rd of April 1915 Urgent Moves

23rd of April 1915 Brigade to 5th Corps

23rd Apr 1915 On the March  location map

23rd Apr 1915 Orders  location map

24th of April 1915 Reserve Brigades

24th of April 1915 Transfer of Infantry

24th of April 1915 Units in position

24th April 1915 On the March

24th Apr 1915 Stand To

24th of April 1915 Positions of Northumberland Division  location map

25th April 1915 On the March  location map

26th of April 1915 Confusion

26th of Apr 1915 Experience

27th Apr 1915 Sparse Roll Call

3rd of May 1915 Orders

3rd of May 1915 Divisional Area Allotted

3rd of May 1915 Orders

4th of May 1915 CinC to address troops

10th May 1915 At Rest

18th of May 1915 Appreciation

18th of May 1915 Letter

22nd of May 1915 Reliefs  location map

31st of May 1915 Report

7th of June 1915 Artillery into position  location map

8th Jun 1915 Reorganisation

15th Jun 1915 No Fires

16th Jun 1915 Heavy Bombardment

16th Jun 1915 Infantry Assault

17th Jun 1915 Trench Work

18th of June 1915 Attack at Hooge  location map

18th of June 1915 

20th Jun 1915 On the March

20th of June 1915 Move

21st Jun 1915 Relief

22nd Jun 1915 Snipers Active

22nd Jun 1915 On the March

23rd Jun 1915 In Huts

27th Jun 1915 Reliefs

3rd Jul 1915 Reliefs

5th Jul 1915 In the Trenches  location map

6th Jul 1915 In the Trenches  location map

7th of July 1915 

16th Jul 1915 On the March

17th Jul 1915 Into Reserve Trenches

18th Jul 1915 In the Trenches

19th Jul 1915 Situation Normal

20th Jul 1915 Men Wounded

21st Jul 1915 Snipers Active

22nd Jul 1915 Good Progress

22nd Jul 1915 Companies in Reserve

24th Jul 1915 Reliefs Completed

25th Jul 1915 Church Parade

26th Jul 1915 Working Parties

27th Jul 1915 Working Parties

28th Jul 1915 Company Reliefs

29th Jul 1915 Reliefs

30th Jul 1915 Working Parties

31st Jul 1915 Availability of Supplies

1st Aug 1915 Battalion to be Re-established

3rd Aug 1915 Reinforcements

4th Aug 1915 Inspection

5th Aug 1915 Reorganisation

6th Aug 1915 Drill and Working Parties

7th Aug 1915 Reliefs Completed

8th Aug 1915 Trench Work

9th Aug 1915 Under Shellfire

11th of Aug 1915 

13th Aug 1915 Reliefs Completed

27th of Aug 1915 

4th Sep 1915 Communication Exercise

7th September 1915 Inspection

12th September 1915 Reliefs

18th Sep 1915 Reliefs Completed

24th September 1915 Orders  location map

24th September 1915 Programme

25th September 1915 Wind

25th September 1915 Orders  location map

26th September 1915 Reliefs Complete

26th September 1915 Reliefs Complete

27th September 1915 Patrols

27th September 1915 Orders

27th September 1915 Orders  location map

28th September 1915 Reliefs complete

5th Oct 1915 Reliefs Completed

6th Oct 1915 Relief Plan

11th Oct 1915 Attack Planned

13th Oct 1915 Diversion

13th of October 1915 Orders

1st November 1915 Warnings

2nd November 1915 Ammunition Allotment

3rd of November 1915 

4th November 1915 Reliefs

4th November 1915 Orders

4th November 1915 Training Programme

7th November 1915 Orders Issued

7th November 1915 Reliefs

8th November 1915 Orders  location map

10th November 1915 Shelling

12th November 1915 On the Move

13th November 1915 Training Programme

24th Nov 1915 Training and Football

2nd December 1915 Orders

11th December 1915 Orders

13th December 1915 Reliefs  location map

13th December 1915 Orders  location map

13th December 1915 Order  location map

13st December 1915 Orders  location map

13th December 1915 Reliefs  location map

13th December 1915 Orders  location map

15th December 1915 Advance Parties

18th December 1915 On the Move

20th Dec 1915 Under Shellfire

14th Jan 1916 Reliefs Completed  location map

15th January 1916 Artillery Active  location map

16th January 1916 Visit

16th January 1916 Reorganisation  location map

23rd January 1916 Shelling  location map

27th January 1916 Snipers, Sausages and Whizz-bangs  location map

29th of January 1916 Machine Gun Emplacements  location map

29th January 1916 Machine Guns  location map

30th January 1916 Snipers  location map

31st January 1916 Enemy Lines  location map

1st Feb 1916 In the Trenches

1st February 1916 Enemy Aircraft  location map

2nd February 1916 Aeroplane Photographs  location map

4th February 1916 Reliefs  location map

4th February 1916 Enemy Guns

4th February 1916 Enemy Artillery  location map

5th February 1916 Shelling

5th February 1916 Shelling  location map

5th February 1916 Snipers

5th February 1916 Uniforms

6th Feb 1916 Reorganisation

6th February 1916 Orders  location map

7th February 1916 Shelling  location map

7th February 1916 Artillery Active  location map

9th February 1916 Orders  location map

9th of February 1916 Orders

9th February 1916 Artillery Active  location map

11th February 1916 Warning

11th February 1916 Enemy Active  location map

12th February 1916 Gas Alert  location map

12th February 1916 Quieter  location map

14th Feb 1916 On Stand by  location map

14th February 1916 Bomardment  location map

15th February 1916 Orders  location map

18th of February 1916 Reliefs Complete  location map

18th of February 1916 Less Shelling  location map

19th of February 1916 Reorganisation

21st February 1916 Snow

22nd February 1916 Gas

22nd of February 1916 Machine Guns  location map

23rd February 1916 Warning

25th February 1916 Dangerous Wind

26th February 1916 Hostile Artillery  location map

28th February 1916 Dummys

28th February 1916 Orders  location map

29th February 1916 Report

29th February 1916 Orders  location map

29th February 1916 Orders  location map

1st March 1916 Orders  location map

1st of March 1916 Bombardment  location map

2nd March 1916 Orders

6th of March 1916 Orders  location map

7th of March 1916 Orders  location map

7th of March 1916 Orders

8th Mar 1916 Reliefs  location map

8th of March 1916 Mining  location map

10th of March 1916 Reliefs Completed  location map

10th of March 1916 Orders  location map

10th of March 1916 Orders  location map

13th Mar 1916 Concert

16th of March 1916 Orders  location map

18th of March 1916 Orders  location map

20th of March 1916 Orders  location map

23rd of March 1916 Reliefs  location map

26th Mar 1916 Reliefs

31st of March 1916 Orders  location map

1st Apr 1916 Hostile Shelling

2nd Apr 1916 Hostile Shelling  location map

3rd of April 1916 Orders  location map

8th Apr 1916 Into the Trenches  location map

14th Apr 1916 Field Gun Targetted  location map

20th of April 1916 Orders  location map

22nd of April 1916 Gas  location map

27th Apr 1916 Inspection

28th of April 1916 Inspection

30th of April 1916 Stand To

30th of April 1916 At Rest  location map

1st of May 1916 Orders

7th May 1916 Church Parade

14th of May 1916 Training & Sport

15th May 1916 Brigade Cross Country Run

16th May 1916 Parade

17th May 1916 Football

18th of May 1916 Orders

20th May 1916 Boxing Match

20th of May 1916 Orders  location map

21st May 1916 New CO

23rd May 1916 Inspection

24th of May 1916 Orders

25th of May 1916 Moves  location map

25th of May 1916 Moves  location map

27th of May 1916 Reliefs  location map

8th Jul 1916 Reliefs

1st Aug 1916 Bathing

1st of August 1916 Gas

2nd of August 1916 Alert

30th Aug 1916 Practice Attack

1st of September 1916 Locations

1st Sep 1916 Flies  location map

2nd of September 1916   location map

2nd Sep 1916 Wet Day  location map

7th Sep 1916 Conference  location map

9th Sep 1916 Arrangements Made  location map

10th Sep 1916 Moves  location map

11th Sep 1916 Return to Duty  location map

13th of September 1916 Instructions  location map

13th of September 1916 Orders  location map

14th Sep 1916 Stretcher Bearers  location map

15th Sep 1916 In Action  location map

16th of September 1916 

16th Sep 1916 Large number of Casualties  location map

17th Sep 1916 Reliefs Completed

17th Sep 1916 Stretcher Bearers  location map

18th of September 1916   location map

19th of September 1916 Messages  location map

21st Sep 1916 Poor Sanitation  location map

24th of September 1916 Reliefs  location map

24th of September 1916 Orders  location map

25th of September 1916 Attacks  location map

27th of September 1916 Instructions

28th of September 1916 Reliefs

28th of September 1916 Attacks Made  location map

29th of September 1916   location map

29th of September 1916 Orders  location map

29th of September 1916 Orders  location map

30th of September 1916 Patrols  location map

30th of September 1916 Barrage  location map

30th of September 1916 Orders Amended  location map

30th of September 1916 Patrols  location map

1st of October 1916 Attacks  location map

2nd of October 1916 Orders

2nd of October 1916 Attacks  location map

2nd of October 1916 Reliefs

2nd of October 1916 Orders

2nd of October 1916 In Action  location map

3rd of October 1916 Reliefs  location map

3rd of October 1916 Congratulations

3rd of October 1916 Attack  location map

4th of October 1916 On the March

6th of October 1916 Training

7th of October 1916 Training

8th of October 1916 Rain

9th of October 1916 Working Parties

12th of October 1916 Training

14th of October 1916 Training and Working Parties

15th of October 1916 Exercise

19th of October 1916 Orders  location map

20th of October 1916 Working Parties

22nd of October 1916 Situation

22nd of October 1916 Orders  location map

22nd of October 1916 Signals

23rd of October 1916 Orders

25th of October 1916 Situation  location map

26th of October 1916 Orders  location map

26th of October 1916 Orders

27th of October 1916 Situation

28th of October 1916 Orders  location map

28th of October 1916   location map

28th of October 1916 Working Parties

28th of October 1916 Orders

30th of October 1916 Orders  location map

31st of October 1916 Orders

31st of October 1916 Orders  location map

1st of November 1916 Thick Mud  location map

2nd of November 1916 Orders

2nd of November 1916 Instructions

2nd of November 1916 Orders  location map

2nd of November 1916 Shelling  location map

3rd of November 1916 Orders  location map

3rd of November 1916 Reliefs  location map

3rd of November 1916 Orders  location map

4th of November 1916 Secret  location map

5th of November 1916 In Action  location map

6th of November 1916 Information Obtained  location map

6th of November 1916 Orders

6th of November 1916 Intelligence  location map

30th of November 1916 

1st of January 1917   location map

26th of January 1917   location map

13th of February 1917   location map

17th of April 1917   location map

23rd Apr 1917 Attack and Counter Attack

2nd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

3rd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

3rd of September 1917 Intelligence

4th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

5th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

6th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

7th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

8th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

9th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

9th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

10th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

11th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

12th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

13th Sep 1917 Reliefs

13th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

14th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

15th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

16th of September 1917 Orders  location map

16th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

16th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

17th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

18th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

19th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

20th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

21st of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

22nd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

22nd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

23rd of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

24th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

26th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

27th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

28th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

28th of September 1917 Intelligence

29th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

30th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

1st of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

4th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

12th of October 1917 Orders

12th of October 1917 Orders

17th of October 1917 Orders  location map

27th of October 1917 Movement  location map

27th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

28th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

29th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

30th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

31st of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

4th of November 1917 Orders  location map

8th of November 1917 Orders  location map

13th of November 1917 Dispositions  location map

18th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

19th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

19th of December 1917 Intelligence

20th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

21st of December 1917   location map

21st of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

22nd of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

23rd of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

24th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

25th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

25th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

26th of December 1917   location map

26th of December 1917 Intelligence  location map

30th of December 1917 Orders

2nd of January 1918   location map

24th of January 1918 

3rd of February 1918 Orders

9th Feb 1918 Reliefs Complete

10th of February 1918 Orders

11th of February 1918 

27th of February 1918 Orders

23rd Mar 1918 Fighting Withdrawal  location map

26th Mar 1918 Withdrawal

27th Mar 1918 Under Fire

28th Mar 1918 Confusion

29th Mar 1918 Orders

30th Mar 1918 Orders

31st Mar 1918 Attack

6th of April 1918 Orders

13th of April 1918 Report  location map

27th of May 1918 In Action

1st of June 1918 

If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.





Want to know more about 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry?


There are:5627 items tagged 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.


Those known to have served with

8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Anderson G. W.. Lance Sjt.
  • Atkinson J. J.. Rgmtl Sjt Mjr.
  • Baldwin C. W.. Lt.
  • Bankhead J.. Sjt.
  • Bare J.. Lance Sjt.
  • Barnes R.. Sjt.
  • Beckwith Emmerson. Private (d.29th. April 1917)
  • Beet Walter. Pte. (d.11th April 1918)
  • Benson W. A..
  • Blackett G. E.. Lt.
  • Booth A.. Lance Sjt.
  • Boys S.. 2nd Lt.
  • Bradford T. A.. Capt.
  • Bramwell J.. 2nd Lt.
  • Brass J. R.. Lt.
  • Briggs G.. Sjt.
  • Brown T. A.. Sjt.
  • Burgess George William. L/Cpl.
  • Burgoyne-Johnson V.. Capt.
  • Chrisp T.. Sjt.
  • Clark N.. Lt.
  • Clough T.. Sjt.
  • Coates W. B.. Sjt. (d.21 Apr 1917)
  • Coates William Bolton. Sgt. (d.26th April 1915)
  • Colman J. R.. Lance Sjt.
  • Cooper John William. Pte. (d.27th Mar 1918)
  • Coulson Robert. Pte. (d.26th Apr 1915)
  • Coulson W. H.. Capt.
  • Crow F.. Sjt.
  • Davidson J.. Sjt.
  • Denholm W. H.. 2nd Lt.
  • Dinsley MM James William . Pte. (d.12th Apr 1918)
  • Dix Thomas George. Pte (d.17th Sep 1917)
  • Dixon J..
  • Dodd W.. Sjt.
  • Dodds G. D.. 2nd Lt.
  • Elliott . Lt.
  • Embleton Hans Major. Pte.
  • Embleton Hans Major. Pte.
  • Embleton Hans Major. Pte.
  • Eves A.. Armourer Sjt.
  • Ewing William. Pte. (d.9th Apr 1918)
  • Forrest J.. Sjt.
  • Forrest Samuel. Pte. (d.24th April 1917)
  • Foster Joseph. Pte. (d.29th Sep 1916)
  • Francis W.. Rgmtl Qtrmtr Sjt.
  • Gillender R.. 2nd Lt.
  • Greaves J. R.. Sjt.
  • Hall J.. Sjt.
  • Hanson J. W.. Sjt.
  • Harding Joseph William. Pte.
  • Harrington William John. L/Cpl. (d.16th Sep 1916)
  • Harrison F. C. S.. 2nd Lt.
  • Harvey F. G.. Capt.
  • Haswell Edward Bruce. L/Cpl. (d.30th June 1917)
  • Henderson William.
  • Hobson G. F.. 2nd Lt.
  • Holdsworth H. B.. Capt.
  • Holman-Brown . Capt. Padre.
  • Hopper J.. Lt.
  • Hutchinson J.. 2nd Lt.
  • I'Anson H.. 2nd Lt.
  • Jackson C.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt.
  • Johnson L. V. B. . Capt.
  • Johnson W.. Lt.
  • Kay W.. Sjt.
  • Kierl .
  • Kirkup MC. P.. Mjr.
  • Knott H.. Sjt.
  • Laidlaw J.. Sjt.
  • Lee E. F.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt.
  • Lewis D. D. R.. 2nd Lt.
  • Leybourne E. A.. Lt.
  • Liddle W.. Sjt.
  • Lomax C.. Lt -Col
  • Lowrey T. B.. Lance Sjt.
  • Luckraft Charles. Pte.
  • Makepeace J.. Lance Sjt.
  • Malone R.. Sjt.
  • Marshall A. R.. Sjt.
  • Marshall R. H.. Sjt.
  • Marshall T.. Sjt.
  • Marshall W.. Lt.
  • Martin MC. J. H.. Lt -Col.
  • McCullen G.. Sjt.
  • McKie A.. Company Sjt Mjr.
  • McKinlay H. S.. 2nd Lt.
  • McNiff J.. Capt.
  • McQuillan M.. Lance Sjt.
  • Middleton J. L.. Pte.
  • Miles E.. Sjt.
  • Milner C.. Capt. Padre.
  • Mitton Harry Collingwood. Pte. (d.29th Sep 1916)
  • Mole F. W.. Sjt.
  • Motum E. H.. Lt.
  • Nesbitt A. W.. Lt.
  • Oswell MC. A.. Capt.
  • Pike E. A.. 2nd Lt.
  • Platten S.. Sjt.
  • Pooley Thomas. Pte (d.26th Apr 1915)
  • Price T. J.. Sjt.
  • Punshon H. F..
  • Ramsay L. A.. Lt.
  • Ray John William. Pte. (d.26 Mar 1918)
  • Richardson T.. Colour Sjt.
  • Ridden Thomas James. Pte.
  • Ritson J. A. S. . Capt.
  • Robinson W. H.. 2nd Lt.
  • Robson J.. Sjt.
  • Rogers J. N. O.. Lt.
  • Roxby W.. Company Sjt Mjr.
  • Rutter D. L.. 2nd Lt.
  • Sargeant Jack. Pte. (d.26th April 1915)
  • Sherwood D.. 2nd Lt.
  • Sisson . Lt.
  • Smeddle TD. J. H.. Mjr.
  • Smith J. G.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt.
  • Smith T.. Company Sjt Mjr.
  • Stainthorpe John Albert. Sgt. (d.26th Dec 1915)
  • Stenhouse J. A.. Lt.
  • Taylor T. G..
  • Teasdale J. G.. Sjt.
  • Thwaites R.. Lance Sjt.
  • Todd J.. Sjt.
  • Townsend H.. 2nd Lt.
  • Tucker G. W.. Sjt.
  • Tulip Robert. Pte. (d.10th Apr 1918)
  • Turnbull J.. Capt.
  • Turnbull J.. Lt -Col.
  • Turnbull Joseph. Pte. (d.26th April 1915)
  • Twigg A. R.. 2nd Lt.
  • Veitch E. H.. Capt.
  • Wakefield F. S..
  • Walker T. W..
  • Wallace Robinson. 2/Lt. (d.2nd Oct 1916)
  • Watt H. B. C.. 2nd Lt.
  • Weeks F. M.. Capt.
  • Whall C. L. B.. Lt.
  • Wharrier . Lt.
  • Wilkinson N.. Sjt.
  • Wilson F.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt.
  • Wilson J. A.. Lt.
  • Wood J.. Lt.
  • Woodward W.. 2nd Lt.
  • Young J.. Sjt.

All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry from other sources.


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  Pte Thomas Pooley 1/8th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Apr 1915)

Thomas Pooley's war lasted a mere 6 days. The battalion landed at Boulogne on April 20th, and he was killed on the 26th, at Gravenstafel, during the 2nd battle of Ypres. His name is recorded on The Menin Gate memorial, and also on the Memorial in Tow Law, County Durham, near his home village of Sunniside, Crook. He enlisted at Tow Law (date unknown)and was probably in H Coy. due to the proximity of its base in Hamsteels to both Tow Law and Sunniside.

Dennis Pooley






  Pte. Harry Collingwood Mitton 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Sep 1916)

My great-grandfather Harry Mitton was born on the 18th June 1888 in Mungrisdale, Cumbria, the son of Welbury Mitton and Agnes Eliza Phoebe Collingwood. He fought in the Battle of the Somme as part of the 151st Brigade in the 50th (Northumbrian)

Harry was killed in action on the 29th September 1916, he has no known grave. His name is on the Memorial for The Missing at Thiepval, as well as on the war memorial in Chopwell Village, on a plaque in Chopwell Church Hall, as well as having his name carved into the wall in Ainstable, Cumbria where he grew up. He left behind a wife and three young children.

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Niall McMahon






  Pte. Joseph William "Joe" Harding 8th Battallion Durham Light Infantry

Joseph William Harding was born in High Pittington in May 1898. He joined the 8th Battalion DLI in April 1915 just before his seventeenth birthday. He was the youngest of six children, the other five being girls, so his early volunteering to fight was a great shock to the women in his life. He managed to survive the war but was wounded in March 1918 and was honourably discharged just before his 21st birthday in 1919. He lived a long and happy life mentioning his wartime memories often, but without going into any specific detail and always skirting around the horrific events he must have witnessed. He married Laura in 1924, they had a daughter, Monica, and two granddaughters. He lived most of the remainder of his life in Halifax, West Yorkshire, where he died in April 1981.

Elizabeth Wright






  Pte. Hans Major Embleton 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

My granddad, Hans Embleton, was taken prisoner at the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. He was taken to a holding camp at Munster 2 larger and sent to work in the coal mines and coke ovens. I have just found out he was taken to Chimnitz prison camp February 1918 until repatriated to Britain December 1918. He was made to work in the salt mines with Russians and was starving as all the people were in Chemnitz. He finally got a good parcel August 1918 and managed to receive some more. He was told to work on after the Armistice or get no food the soldiers refused and were threatened with a machine gun but they still refused and then took control of the gun and the German guards gave up and fled the camp and town as the Russians moved in to take control.

Derick Smith






  Pte. Hans Major Embleton 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

My granddad, Hans Embleton, enlisted in June 1913 into the Territorials, joining 8th Durham Light Infantry. He went to training camps as well as working in the mines.

In August 1914 he was at Morphia in Wales training. They where told to go to Folkstone to go to France to join the campaign. They marched through France to Belgium and filled in the gaps in the Second Battle of Ypres. After a great bombardment by the Germans that lasted for ten days and nights the Durham Light Infantry suffered heavy loses, and eventually only a few remained. They where taken prisoners, including my granddad, in May 1915.

They where taken by cattle trucks to Munster and put into a holding camp until they where sorted out for work. My grandad was in Muster camp 2 and was sent to the coal mines in Oberhausen Westphalia. He was put to work. Every day he witnessed his comrades being beaten including himself and was sent to the coke ovens as punishment. He survived and was repatriated December 1918.

He came to live with us in 1959 and he told me all about the war, being a prisoner and all the trauma he went through. When he got back to the receiving camp in December 1918, after they de-mobbed him, he signed a form. Little did he know he was signing his war pension away for just two pounds so he never received any. He died in 1973. He earned the Allied Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1914-1915 Star.

Derick Edgar Smith






  Sgt. William Bolton Coates 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.26th April 1915)

William Coates served with the 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry.

Warren Lucas






  Pte. Robert Coulson 1/8th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.26th Apr 1915)

My great uncle Robert Coulson who was known as 'our Bob' was one of 12 children, son of William and Alice Coulson. He died when a shell fell at his feet at St Julian during 2nd Battle Ypres, he was 20 years old. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres.

Lynn Thompson






  Pte. James William Dinsley MM 1st/8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)

My Great Uncle died in action just before the end of the war in Merville. Dinsley is a very rare surname and strangely enough he seems to have died the same day as another man of the same surname, only he was called Joseph. My thinking is that they may have been cousins or distant relatives.

Editor's Note: Private Dinsley was the son of Joseph and Jane H. Dinsley, of 33 Kathrine Street, Willington, County Durham. James Dinsley was fighting in the Battle of the Lys when he was killed in action aged 27, and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.

Sandra Hodges






  Pte. Robert Tulip 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.10th Apr 1918)

My great great grandfather, Robert Tulip, died on 10th April, 1918 aged 42 during the Battle of the Lys. He is buried at Haverskerque British Cemetery. He was the son of Thomas and Isabella Tulip of Walbottle, and was husband to Elizabeth Tulip. They had 5 children Alice, Thomas, Robert, Elizabeth and Phylis.

My great great grandfather Robert's brother William died 6 weeks after on 30th May 1918 in the Battle of the Aisne. His grave has not been found. He is commemorated on Soissons Memorial.

Rest in Peace. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Janet Todman






  L/Cpl. Edward Bruce Haswell 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.30th June 1917)

Edward Bruce Haswell served with the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and died on the 30th June 1917.

Elizabeth Haswell






  Sgt. John Albert Stainthorpe 14th Battalion Durham Light Inantry (d.26th Dec 1915)

John Albert Stainthorpe died aged 28, he was the Son of John William and Jane Stainthorpe (nee Hall) of 4 Henry Street Jarrow. John Albert Stainthorpe, aged 23, a House Agent's Clerk, is listed as living with his parents John William & Jane Stainthorpe in 4, Henry Street, Jarrow-on-Tyne in the 1911 Census. He was born and enlisted in Jarrow. He first served in France on teh 11th of September 1915.

John is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow. He was also commemorated on the Triptych in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

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Vin Mullen






  2/Lt. Robinson Wallace 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Oct 1916)

Robinson Wallace, Second Lieutenant, served in the 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, having previously served as a Private 320 in the 3rd Northern Cyclist Company. He died age 20 on the 2nd October 1916 and is remembered at Monkton Memorial and is buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals.

Robinson was born in Heworth 1896, son of Robinson Jackson and Margaret Jane Wallace of 9 Osborne Terrace, Felling, Gateshead. In the 1911 census Robinson Jackson Wallace(46) is a Police Constable, with his wife of 23 years Margaret Jane(43). They have 3 children, all single, living here, Ada A(23) and Margaret A(19), both Elementary School Teachers. Robinson Wallace is 15 years old and still at school.

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Vin Mullen






  Pte. John William Cooper 1st/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th Mar 1918)

John Cooper died age 25 whilst serving with the 8th DLI. He was born in Jarrow. The 1911 census records his as John William Cooper age 18 Unemployed Labourer living with his mother Isabella Hunter (formerly Cooper nee Butland) and his stepfather Edward Hunter and family at 55 Wylam Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census. His father was the late Robert Cooper. John lived in Jarrow and Gateshead, he enlisted in Gateshead. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial.

Vin Mullen






  Pte. William Ewing 1st/8th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Apr 1918)

William Ewing. Private 302871, 1st/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was the son of Hugh and Mary Ewing (nee Dorrian) and husband of Catherine Ewing (nee Hagan) of 63 Wansbeck Road Jarrow. William was born, enlisted and was living Jarrow. He died age 35 on 9th April 1918 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial. Panel 8 and 9

The 1911 Census shows him living at 74 Stothard Street Jarrow: William Ewing age 29 Master Fishmonger born Jarrow (married 2 months, children 0) and Catherine Ewing wife age 30 born Jarrow.

VM






  Pte. Thomas James Ridden 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Thomas James Ridden was my great grandfather. I never met him as he died 4 years before I was born. He entered the theatre of war 20th April 1915 after enlisting with the Northern Cyclist Battalion on 30th June 1908. He was a miner for the Priestman Coal Company in civilian life.

He was awarded the Silver War Badge under AO no 11 of 10/8/1917 (from the records). This has lead me to believe he saw service on the Western Front. I believe he was gassed and pensioned out as a result of this service. He was Discharged from 8th Battalion DLI on 4th April 1918.

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Claire Forster






  Pte. Hans Major Embleton 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

My grandad, Hans Major Embleton, served in the First World War with the Durham Light Infantry. He was a miner when he signed up on the 25th June 1913, he became a member of the 8th Battalion territorial force and used to do training at weekends and worked down the mine in the week.

He survived the War but was taken prisoner near the end. This left him very thin and weak but he returned to Sacriston and back in the mine. He got married in 1920 and my mother was born in 1921 in Sacriston. My grandad came to stay with us through the 1960s and he told me stories of the war mainly in the prison camp living on water and potato peelings if you were lucky. He was awarded the Territorial Force War Medal and I am very proud of him.

Derick Smith






  Pte Thomas George Dix 1/8th Batalion Durham Light Infantry (d.17th Sep 1917)

Thomas Dix was the son of Alfred Dix and Louise Isabella Alp. He enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry in 1914, and married Hannah Ford in 1916. Thomas died of wounds on teh 17th of September 1917 and is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux.

Martyn Rundle






  Pte. Walter Beet 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.11th April 1918)

I have only just found my grandmother's cousin, Walter Beet, and I wondered why he joined the Durham Light Infantry when living in Yorkshire. Could it be that they marched through Wadsworth on their way to war and he decided to join them?

Editors Note: Walter Beet enlisted in 1917, at this time men were assigned to which ever Battalion required reinforcements and conscription was in force. The concept of Pals Battalions, made up of men from their local area was a thing of the past by the time Walter joined up.

Diana Walshaw






  Pte. Charles Luckraft 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Charles Luckraft joined up some time in the middle of 1915 and came home in early 1919. I think that following the Battle of Arras in 1917 he transferred to the the 8th Tank Regiment

G Luckraft






  L/Cpl. William John Harrington 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)

William John Harrington was born in Bowburn County Durham. He served with the 8th, 9th and 10th Battalions DLI during the Great War He was killed in action with the 10th DLI on the 16th of September 1916 during an attack on Grid trench, north of Flers, during the Battle of the Somme. William was 22 years old and has no nown grave, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and his medals are on display in the DLI Museum in Durham City.

T.R.Harrington






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