The Durham Light Infantry
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The regiment can be traced back to May 1758. The Durham Light Infantry was formed in 1881 with the 1st Battalion, formed from 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) and 2nd Battalion, the 106th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Light Infantry)
During the Great War 37 Battalions were raised and 12,606 members of the regiment were killed or died of wounds.
Battalions during the Great War.
- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Battalion
- 5th Battalion
- 2/5th Battalion
- 6th Battalion
- 2/6th Battalion
- 7th Battalion
- 2/7th Battalion
- 8th Battalion
- 2/8th Battalion
- 9th Battalion
- 2/9th Battalion
- 10th (Service) Battalion
- 12th (Service) Battalion
- 13th (Service) Battalion
- 14th (Service) Battalion
- 15th (Service) Battalion
- 16th (Reserve) Battalion
- 17th (Reserve) Battalion
- 18th (1st County) (Service) Battalion
- 19th (Service) Battalion
- 20th (Wearside) (Service) Battalion
- 21st (Reserve) Battalion
- 22nd (3rd County Pioneers) (Service) Battalion
- 23rd (Reserve) Battalion
- 25th (Works) Battalion
- 26th Battalion
- 27th Battalion
- 28th (Home Service) Battalion
- 29th (Service) Battalion
- 51st (Service) Battalion
- 52nd (Service) Battalion
- 53rd (Service) Battalion
- 1st (Home Service) Garrison Battalion
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Sjt. Joseph Heron 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Sjt. Joseph Heron played the clarinet in the band of the 9th Battalion. |
John Miller Durham Light Infantry This is a picture of my Grandfather, John Miller, and some comrades who served with the DLI during WW1. The photograph, I believe, was taken in a POW camp, somewhere in France. |
Robert Edward Meek Durham Light Infantry I am trying to trace my family tree. I was informed by my father that his father, Robert Edward Meek was in the DLI in the Great War. I have tried to find out to no luck. can anyone help me? I have no other information about him not even his service number. It seems a complete mystery. I believe he was born in Middlesbrough and lived in the South moor, Stanley area.
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Robert Brown Durham Light Infantry I am seeking information about my uncle, Robert Brown (DLI) who joined up when he was only 14/15yrs old and was taken prisoner arround 1916. His parents were originaly told he had died but later found he was still alive. It led to their seperation. I believe that his return may have featured in the local (Sunderland?) newspapers.
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Sjt Mjr Joseph Turnbull 3rd Btn. Durham Light Infantry I am trying to find any info about my Grandfather's Service record. He was Joseph Turnbull of the 3rd battalion D.L.I. Prior to WW1, he was serving I believe in Cork, Ireland. He was a sergeant major instructor around 1917. He was wounded in France and I have a copy of his medal card. He had the Victory,British and 14 Star medals. Any help any one?
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James William Robson 12th Btn. Durham Light Infantry I'm trying to find any imfo on my great granddad James William Robson who I'm told served in the 12th DLI in the first world war his number was 17090. Can anyone give me any information?
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William Albert Rose 11th Btn. Durham Light Infantry I am researching my grandfathers service within the DLI during WW1 and would love to hear from anyone who may be connected in any way. Details of my grandfather are as follows: Name: William Albert Rose Born: 12 August 1895 Add: Possibly 35 Crossgate, Durham. Served in World War One 1914-1918 Durham Light Infantry. Army number and battalion: 25757 Sgn. 11th Durham L I. Rank: Pte. 11 DLI was a Pioneer battalion raised at Newcastle in September 1914.
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Capt. J. McNiff Royal Army Medical Corps. Captain McNiff of the RAMC was attached to the 8th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. |
Lt. J. A. Stenhouse Royal Army Medical Corps. Lt J A Stenhouse of teh RAMC was attached to the 8th battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. |
Pte. G. J. Wandless 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Wandless was wounded during the Bombardment whilst serving at Heugh Battery on the 16th of December 1914. |
L/Cpl. Henry Arthur Scott Durham Light Infantry Lance Corporal Scott was one of those wounded at Heugh Battery during the Bombardment on the 16th December 1914. |
Pte. Thomas Rutherford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Rutherford was wounded on the 16th of December 1914 whilst serving at the Heugh Battery during the Bombardment. |
Pte. Walter Rogers 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914) Pte Rogers was killed during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools whilst serving at Heugh Battery on the 16th of December 1914. He was 25 years old. |
Lt. G. K. Raine 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd Jul 1916) Lt Raine was killed on the 2nd of July 1916 he was 19 years old. |
Pte. G. H. Powell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Powell was one of 11 soldiers of the 18th DLI wounded on the 16th December 1914 whilst serving at Heugh Battery during the Bombardment. |
Pte. L. H. Robinson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Robinson was wounded during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914 whilst serving at Heugh Battery. |
Pte. Thomas Minks 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914) Pte Minks died of wounds sustained during the bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th December 1914, he was 25 years old. |
Pte. J. W. Lewis 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Lewis was wounded on the 16th December 1914, during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools whilst serving at Heugh Battery |
Pte. D. Lamb 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Lamb was wounded whilst serving at Heugh Battery during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th December 1914. |
Pte. Leslie Dobson Turner 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914) Pte Turner was 24 years old, he died of wounds having been struck by the first shell of the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914. A plaque marks the spot where then men were manning a machine gun.
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Pte. Alex Ollife Liddle 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914) Pte Liddle was 25 years old, he died of wounds having been struck by the first shell of the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914. A plaque marks the spot where then men were manning a machine gun.
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Pte. Theophilus Jones 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914) Pte Jones is believed to be the first soldier killed in action on British soil during the Great War. He was 29 years old and was killed instantly by the first shell of the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914. The rest of the gun crew Cpl Alex Liddle, Lance Cpl Charles Clarke and Private Les Turner, died of wounds soon afterwards. A plaque marks the point close to the gates of Heugh Battery where they were manning a machine gun. |
Pte. Robert Garrett 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Garrett was one of those wounded during the Bombardment of the Hartlepools on the 16th of December 1914 whilst he was serving at Heugh Battery. |
Pte. T. W. Dees 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte Dees was wounded during the Bombardment of Hartlepool on the 16th of December 1914, he was serving the the 18th Btn, DLI at the Heugh Battery. |
Act L/Cpl Charles Stephen Clarke 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Dec 1914) Acting Lance Corporal Charles Stephen Clarke served at the Heugh Battery in Hartlepool and was killed during the bombardment on the 16th of December 1914 aged 25. |
Pte. R. B. Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Pte. R Brown served at the Heugh Battery in Hartlepool and was wounded buring the bombardment on the 16th of December 1914. |
Pte. William Bartle Baines 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry My Grandfather, William Bartle Baines served with the 5th Battalion of the DLI. I dont know much about the rest of the men in the picture I am trying to find out more about the 5th battalion.
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Albert Edward Bezant Durham Light Infantry My grandfather, Albert Edward Bezant (1879-1927) served with the Durham Light Infantry in World War One. He is marked by the "ex's" in ball point pen in both photos.
 Bezant.jpg)
My Grandparents, Albert Edward & Mary Ellen (nee Fox) Bezant
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Lt K J Fisher 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Lt K J Fisher DLI is commemorated on the Grantown on Spey War Memorial.
His name appears under the "Duthil" section.
Can anyone supply me with more details about this officer?
pp.aanderson@btinternet.com |
Pte. William Renton 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry William Renton was born 18.03.1886 , and christened 08.05.1886 At the time of his birth the Renton family were living at number 4 Minorca, in the east end of Sunderland. William married Rose Powers Renton on 22 August 1910 at St Patrick’s RC Church in Sunderland. The couple ended up having four children John William, James Patrick, Dorothy & Mary.(my grandmother)who was born in July of 1916 His service number 3/8476 indicates he was serving with the 3rd Special Reserve Battalion DLI when war broke out and entered France with the first or second reinforcements to the 2nd Bn on 24/09/1914. The fact that he went out to the 2nd Battalion DLI in September 1914 would mean that he was up to date with his camps and drills as a special reservist, no Territorial’s went out as drafts to the regulars as far as we are aware. The war and victory roll has him as 3/8576 serving with 2nd, 19th, 2nd and 1/9th Battalions and was charged with desertion on 7/11/1916, but was found not guilty. He returned to duty and ended the war with the Gatehead Bn |
Prince Clegg My father was gassed in France in 1918 while serving with the Durham Light Infantry, but I am unable to discover which battalion he was in. My father did survive the war. His name was Prince Clegg, or he may have been known as Prince Russell. His service number was 81913. |
L/Corporal Alfred "Alfie" Bloomfield M.M. 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry I am trying to find out more about my father's army service in WW1 and wonder if anyone can help. I have visited National Records Office at Kew but have found only a record of his award of M.M. Durham Records Office holds war diaries of 2 D.L.I. and my father's name is mentioned as recipient of M.M. in the appendix to the action for which it was awarded. I still have his medals, the Military Medal, War Medal & Victory Medal plus two citations which read: 1. Your Gallant Conduct in the Field on July 14th 1918 near Dickebusch; by capturing a machine gun and team and thus preventing serious loss to your company, has been reported to me, and I have much pleasure in reading the record of your gallantry. J.G.Crawford, Brigadier General Commanding 18th Infantry Brigade. 2. Your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself on the 14-7-18 by conspicuous gallantry and coolness when you rushed a machine gun and captured it. I have read their report with much pleasure. T.O. Marden, Major General Commanding 6th Division Awarded M.M. 29-7-18 I also have a newspaper cutting of a social evening in Burnmoor Parish Hall at which my father was presented with an inscribed gold watch by Lord Durham and a gold chain by Lady Anne as the first employee on Lambton Estates to receive the Military Medal. All the other information I have tends to be anecdotal. Is it possible from his service number to discover when he enrolled or was conscripted and when he was demobilsed? Are there any Battalion disciplinary records and if so, where might these be found? I know from a photograph that he was a full corporal, and from what he did tell me, he was reduced to the ranks for striking a sergeant. I assume that he had been promoted back to L/Cpl before the action on 14-7-1918. I would be grateful for any help and advice on where I can search further. |
L/Cpl John Dixon MM. 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry I have been looking for the records of my Grandfather's military medal and why he won it. I can remember my father telling me that when he was on sentry duty he closed his eyes and heard a click and when he opened them he saw a gun pointed at his head. Who ever it was said you asleep weren't you, of course he denied it, other wise he would have been shot for sleeping on duty. He also told me that he held his brother on the battle field when he died then buried him on the field. |
Private Sydney Clark 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918) This would have been my Great Uncle whom my father was named after. He is commemorated on the war memorial in Soisson France along with nearly 4,000 others from the first world war. We guess something awful happened to the 15th battalion on the 27th May 1918 as so many of the 15th were killed in action including their Captain Charles Stanley Herbert. MC. Sydney was only 18 when killed and we believe only given 6 weeks basic training before being sent out to France. Is there any one who knows any more detail about the 15th Battalion and what went wrong? we can only surmise that the unit was obliterated into nothing as we know they died on this day but no trace must have been found. |
Dawn Raid: Bombardment of the Hartlepools J M Ward
An excellent account of the naval bombardment on the 16th of December 1914.More information on: Dawn Raid: Bombardment of the Hartlepools
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Guns of the Northeast: Coastal Defences from the Tyne to the Humber Joe Foster
A detailed study of the coastal defences of North East England, including accounts of the bombardment of the East coast in 1914, with many excellent photgraphs and diagrams.More information on: Guns of the Northeast: Coastal Defences from the Tyne to the Humber
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Bombardment: The Day the East Coast Bled Mark Marsay
A well researched book with many personal accounts of the events of the 16th of December 1914More information on: Bombardment: The Day the East Coast Bled
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