2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry was a Second Line Territorial unit formed at Sunderland on the 16th of September 1914. They served in the UK on home defence and training duties. In October 1918 they proceeded to North Russia.

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There are:5230 items tagged 2/7th 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
2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Aldous George Albert. Pte.
Allinson T.. Sjt.
Bellett J. D.. Lance Sjt.
Belson Sidney Victor. Pte.
Belson Sidney Victor. Pte.
Birlison W.. Lance Sjt.
Bootes O. E.. Company Sjt Mjr.
Connor T.. Sjt.
Croisdale T.. Company Qtrmstr Sjt.
Dickenson E.. Sjt.
Douglas M.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt.
Estill T.. Sjt. (d.16th Sep 1916)
Finney N.. Company Qtr Mstr Sjt.
Gibson J.. Sjt.
Haswell E. J.. Sjt.
Hay J. W.. Colour Sjt.
Heal J.. Lance Sjt.
Holmes W. E.. Rgmtl Sjt Mjr.
Huitson Arthur. Cpl.
Jacobs W.. Sjt.
Johnson R. E.. Rgmtl Qtrmtr Sjt.
Jones T.. Sjt.
Lawson W.. Sjt.
Matthews G.. Sjt.
McCabe J..
Middlewood Charles. CSM.
Miller G.. Sjt.
Mordue G.. Sjt.
Napier J.. Sjt.
Nasby F.. Sjt.
Noall G.. Company Sjt Mjr.
Oughton R.. Lance Sjt.
Oxley E.. Sjt.
Pattison H.. Sjt.
Pearson G.. Sjt.
Pearson R.. Sjt.
Powis A.. Sjt.
Prince T.. Sjt.
Robson T.. Sjt.
Sharp A.. Sjt.
Smith Henry Alder.
Snowdon Ralph. Pte (d.1st Oct 1916)
Sowerby DSO. H. J.. Lt -Col.
Spoors T.. Sjt.
Storey J.. Sjt.
Storey R.. Sjt.
Thompson A.. Sjt.
Troughton E. R.. Capt. adj.
Whiteside T.. Sjt.
Wilson P. P.. Mjr.

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Records of 2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry from other sources.

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Pte. George Albert Aldous 14th and 2/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

My Grandfather was George Albert Aldous, he served as a private No26729 in the Durham Light Infantry from 1915 to 1919. Initially he was in the 14th Battalion and served in France but later in the 2/7th. He went to Russia in operation ELOPE and it was there that a photograph was taken of his unit of 60 men. They are shown in conventional DLI uniform and in the same formation in Arctic wear. The photos are of good quality and almost all faces are recognisable. His British War and Victory Medals wrongly spell his name as Aldons but have his correct service number on. I still have the medals in their original registered packet that they came to him in. He was so disgusted with the miss- spelling of his name he never took them out of their wrapping. I also have his dog tags and 11 other photos of Archangel but none show identifiable personnel.
Ian Aldous

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Pte. Sidney Victor Belson 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

Pte Sidney Belson was originally posted to 2/7th DLI in September 1916, home service due to his occupation (listed as houseman on farm in 1911 census). He was posted to 20th DLI early in July 1917 just in time to take part in the actions of 3rd Ypres. On 31st of July he was one of the DLI soldiers who wound up fighting alongside men of 10th Royal West Kents, who advanced to the right of the 20th DLI. This is documented in the Kents war diary, although no names are given. It is thought that he found himself there owing to his job as a runner/bugler. He was reunited with the battalion after the action in and around Hollebeke and remained there until discharged in early 1919, again because of his occupation.
Like most men who served in this war he said very little about his experiences. He talked of training American troops. Also about not being able to give a reply to a message as MPs would not let him through, saying the men he wanted to reach had been wiped out. Another time he and 12 other runners were sent off with a message and he was the only one to deliver it because the other runners were all killed.
On returning from the western front he resumed his job and married in 1924. He lived in Cippenham until his death. Of the four Belson brothers who went to war he was the only one to come back uninjured physically with two brothers being killed, one at Mont Kemmel in 1918, and the last being a recipient of the silver war badge.
Geoff Belson

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Pte. Sidney Victor Belson 2/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

This man was my great grandfather. He was posted to the 20th DLI at the beginning of July 1917 and remained there until demobbed. He was a runner and a bugle boy. Having enlisted in 1915 he was sent to the 2/7th DLI until being sent overseas in 1916. His service record shows several postings but only the one to the 20th is eligable. A family legend says he once ended up fighting with a Kent regiment and another that he was not allowed to return to his unit as they had been wiped out by gas.
Geoff Belson

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CSM. Charles Middlewood 2/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

My Grandfather Charles Middlewood was a CSM in the DLI 2/7th. I also know he won a boxing cup presented to him in 1918 in Colchester in the 67th Divisional Boxing competition by Brigadier General AG Pritchard CMG. But I can not find any other information about him and would love to hear from someone who can help.
Caroline

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Pte Ralph Snowdon 1st/7th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Oct 1916)

Snowdon, Ralph. Private, 7030, Killed in Action on 1st October 1916. Aged 31 years.
Remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 14 A and 15 C.
19th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers records show that he was formerly a member of the 19th N.F. with service No- 19/1634 and Btn History shows surname as Snowden.
Husband of Alice Byrne Snowdon, of 13, Northfield Rd, Piershill, Edinburgh.
From the 19th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers Roll of Honour.
Dave Willis

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Cpl. Arthur Huitson 2/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Arthur Huitson standing beside his brother William Huitson
who served with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

My grandfather Arthur Huitson was born in Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham 17th September 1889. He served with the Durham Light Infantry (No. 276005) in WW1. He was married and lived in Sunderland when he joined up early in the war. His date of discharge was 19th April, 1919.
He was also in the East Surrey Regiment (No. 204320) as Corporal Arthur Huitson, 2/7th DLI, 6 squad Command School of Musketry at Aldershot between 20th January 1917 and 22nd February 1917 (according to his study note book which he used at Aldershot).
He was a POW but I don't know where. He most likely went to Archangel with the 2/7th but don't know whether he served in France or where he was a POW.
He and his wife and daughter came to Australia in 1922. He was a carpenter. He died on in January 1957 in Ipswich, Queensland.
Heather Noble

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2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

Want to know more about 2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry?

Those known to have served with
2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Can you help?

If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.

Announcements

Recomended Reading.

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The Wartime Memories Project - 2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War -

2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

Want to know more about 2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry?

Those known to have served with2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantryduring the Great War 1914-1918.

Can you help?

If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.

Announcements

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project
- 2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War -

Those known to have served with
2/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
during the Great War 1914-1918.