The Wartime Memories Project

- 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War -


Great War> Allied Army
skip to content


This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies.


If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.



    Site Home

    Great War Home

    Search

    Add Stories & Photos

    Library

    Help & FAQs

 Features

    Allied Army

    Day by Day

    RFC & RAF

    Prisoners of War

    War at Sea

    Training for War

    The Battles

    Those Who Served

    Hospitals

    Civilian Service

    Women at War

    The War Effort

    Central Powers Army

    Central Powers Navy

    Imperial Air Service

    Library

    World War Two

 Submissions

    Add Stories & Photos

    Time Capsule

 Information

    Help & FAQs



    Glossary

    Our Facebook Page

    Volunteering

    News

    Events

    Contact us

    Great War Books

    About


Advertisements

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

7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry



   

The 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry were a unit of the Territorial Force. HQ, A, B, C, D, E and F Companies were all based at the Drill Hall, Livinstone Rd, Sunderland with G and H Companies based in Stanhope Rd, South Shields.

They were part of the DLI Brigade, Northumbrian Division. When war broke out in August 1914, they had just departed for their annual summer camp and were recalled immediately their home base. They were at once mobilsed and moved to the coastal defences by mid August, then to Ravensworth Park for training and by October were at Newcastle undertaking final training.

They proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915, landing at Boulogne and concentrating in the area of Steenvoorde, just as the German army attacked Ypres, using poison gas for the first time. The 50th Division were rushed into the battle.

On the 14th of May 1915 the DLI Brigade was redesignated 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in The Battle of St Julien, The Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and The Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge.

On the 16th of November 1915 the 7th Durhams left 151st Brigade and converted into a Pioneer Battalion for 50th (Northumbrain) Division. In 1916 They fought on the Somme at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval and The Battle of the Transloy Ridges. In 1917 they were in action at Arras during The First Battle of the Scarpe, The Capture of Wancourt Ridge and The Second Battle of the Scarpe before moving north for the Third Battle of Ypres.

In 1918 they fought on the Somme, in the Battles of the Lys and The Battle of the Aisne, leaving the troops exhausted. On the 20th of June 1918 they transferred to 8th Division and on the 3rd of July absorbed the 22nd Durhams taking their place as Pioneer Battalion of the 8th Division and were in action in The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

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



19th Apr 1915 On the Move

19th of April 1915 Establishing HQs

20th Apr 1915 On the Move

21st Apr 1915 On the Move

22nd Apr 1915 On Stand by

22nd Apr 1915 Inspection and Orders

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 Divisional Movements

23rd Apr 1915 On the March  location map

23rd Apr 1915 In Billets

24th of April 1915 Reserve Brigades

24th of April 1915 Transfer of Infantry

24th of April 1915 Units in position

24th Apr 1915 Into the Trenches  location map

24th Apr 1915 Under Shellfire

24th of April 1915 Positions of Northumberland Division  location map

25th of April 1915 Counter Attack

25th Apr 1915 On the March

26th Apr 1915 Heavy Casualties

26th Apr 1915 On the March  location map

26th of April 1915 Confusion

27th Apr 1915 Under Shellfire

28th Apr 1915 Working Party

2nd May 1915 On the March

3rd May 1915 On the March

3rd of May 1915 Orders

3rd of May 1915 Divisional Area Allotted

3rd of May 1915 Orders

4th May 1915 Into Billets

4th of May 1915 CinC to address troops

5th May 1915 Congratulations

6th May 1915 Route March

7th May 1915 Water

8th May 1915 On the March

9th May 1915 Enemy Aircraft

11th May 1915 Into the Trenches

12th May 1915 Working Party

14th May 1915 In Reserve

15th May 1915 In Reserve

15th of May 1915 Concentration west of Ypres

16th May 1915 Working Party

17th May 1915 Into Huts

18th May 1915 In Camp

19th May 1915 Working Parties

20th May 1915 Working Parties

20th of May 1915 Movement orders

21st May 1915 Into the Trenches

22nd May 1915 In the Line

23rd May 1915 Withdrawn

24th May 1915 Gas

25th May 1915 In the Trenches

26th May 1915 In Bivouacs

28th May 1915 Into Camp

31st May 1915 Inspection

31st of May 1915 Report

1st Jun 1915 On the March

2nd Jun 1915 Training

4th Jun 1915 On the March  location map

6th Jun 1915 Into Support  location map

7th Jun 1915 Route Recce

7th of June 1915 DLI in position  location map

9th Jun 1915 Reliefs Completed

10th Jun 1915 Trench Recce

11th Jun 1915 Recce of Trenches

12th Jun 1915 Reliefs Completed

12th Jun 1915 Reliefs Complete

13th Jun 1915 Trench Work

16th Jun 1915 Rapid Fire

17th Jun 1915 Reliefs

18th Jun 1915 In Support

19th Jun 1915 Trench Work

20th Jun 1915 On the March

20th Jun 1915 Reliefs Completed

20th of June 1915 GOC inspection

21st Jun 1915 On the March

21st June 1915 149th into billets  location map

22nd Jun 1915 On the March

23rd Jun 1915 In Huts

25th Jun 1915 Machine Guns sent up

27th Jun 1915 Reliefs

27th Jun 1915 Reliefs

28th Jun 1915 Trench Work

30th Jun 1915 Reinforcements

3rd Jul 1915 Reliefs  location map

3rd Jul 1915 Reliefs

4th Jul 1915 Reliefs Completed  location map

4th Jul 1915 Working Parties

6th Jul 1915 Working Parties

7th Jul 1915 Working Parties

8th Jul 1915 Working Parties

9th Jul 1915 Reliefs Completed  location map

12th Jul 1915 Trench Visit

13th Jul 1915 Enemy Active

14th Jul 1915 Enemy Mine Explodes

15th Jul 1915 Reliefs Completed

16th Jul 1915 On the March

17th Jul 1915 On the March

19th Jul 1915 In Billets

20th Jul 1915 Musketry

21st Jul 1915 Inspection

22nd Jul 1915 Companies in Reserve

24th Jul 1915 Reliefs

30th Jul 1915 Appointment

31st Jul 1915 Trench Visit

1st Aug 1915 Reliefs Completed

4th Aug 1915 Grenadiers

5th Aug 1915 Inspection

8th Aug 1915 Change of Billets

9th Aug 1915 Recce

10th Aug 1915 Range Practice

13th Aug 1915 Reliefs

17th of Aug 1915 

19th Aug 1915 Reliefs Completed

21st Aug 1915 Inspection

26th Aug 1915 Reliefs

28th Aug 1915 Trench Visit

31st Aug 1915 Reliefs

2nd Sep 1915 Lecture

4th Sep 1915 Communication Exercise

4th Sep 1915 Training

5th Sep 1915 Working Party

8th Sep 1915 Inspection

9th Sep 1915 Route March

12th Sep 1915 Reliefs Completed

12th Sep 1915 Reliefs

13th Sep 1915 Fire

14th Sep 1915 Under Shellfire

15th Sep 1915 Officers Attached

19th Sep 1915 Reliefs Completed

20th Sep 1915 Working Parties

22nd Sep 1915 Working Parties

24th Sep 1915 Ready to Move

26th Sep 1915 Reliefs

27th September 1915 Shelling

28th Sep 1915 Patrols

29th Sep 1915 Snipers Active

30th Sep 1915 Patrols

2nd Oct 1915 Patrols

3rd Oct 1915 Patrols

4th Oct 1915 Enemy Quiet

6th Oct 1915 Relief Plan

8th Oct 1915 Reliefs

11th Oct 1915 Attack Planned

11th Oct 1915 Route March

12th Oct 1915 Bomb School

14th Oct 1915 Reliefs

15th Oct 1915 Enemy Quiet

16th Oct 1915 Instruction

17th Oct 1915 Patrols

18th Oct 1915 Patrols

19th Oct 1915 Patrols

22nd Oct 1915 Trench Visit

23rd Oct 1915 Reliefs Completed

25th Oct 1915 Route March

26th Oct 1915 Reliefs Completed

27th Oct 1915 Royal Inspection

28th Oct 1915 Patrols

29th Oct 1915 Instruction

31st Oct 1915 Reinforcements

2nd Nov 1915 Heavy Rain

4th Nov 1915 Reliefs Completed

6th Nov 1915 Working Parties

7th Nov 1915 Reliefs Completed

8th Nov 1915 Snipers Active

9th Nov 1915 Instruction

10th Nov 1915 Instruction

12th Nov 1915 Reliefs Completed

13th Nov 1915 On the March

16th Nov 1915 New Pioneers

16th Nov 1915 Drill

16th November 1915 Pioneers

22nd Nov 1915 Pioneer Training

22nd November 1915 Instruction

23rd Nov 1915 Training

24th Nov 1915 Route March

26th Nov 1915 Training and Route March

27th Nov 1915 Training

28th Nov 1915 Instruction

29th Nov 1915 Route March

30th Nov 1915 Practice Attack

5th December 1915 Orders

11th December 1915 Orders

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

17th December 1915 On the Move

18th December 1915 On the Move

19th of December 1915 On the Move  location map

20th of December 1915   location map

16th January 1916 Visit

16th January 1916 Reorganisation  location map

17th Jan 1916 In the Chateau

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

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

7th February 1916 Shelling  location map

7th February 1916 Artillery Active  location map

9th February 1916 Orders  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

15th February 1916 Orders  location map

21st February 1916 Snow

22nd February 1916 Gas

22nd February 1916 Orders  location map

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

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

9th of March 1916 Orders  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

25th of March 1916 Trench Work

28th of March 1916 On the March  location map

28th of March 1916 Orders  location map

30th of March 1916 orders  location map

31st of March 1916 Strengths

31st of March 1916 Orders  location map

28th of March 1916 Orders  location map

5th of April 1916 Orders  location map

5th of April 1916 Orders  location map

6th of April 1916 Orders  location map

15th of April 1916 Orders  location map

15th of April 1916 Orders

21st of April 1916 Support Line  location map

26th of April 1916 Aircraft Downed  location map

27th Apr 1916 Inspection

30th of April 1916 Stand To

30th of April 1916 At Rest  location map

4th of May 1916 Relief

14th of May 1916 Training & Sport

18th of May 1916 Orders

20th of May 1916 Orders  location map

20th of May 1916 Orders  location map

24th of May 1916 Orders

25th of May 1916 Orders

25th of May 1916 Moves  location map

25th of May 1916 Moves  location map

28th of May 1916 Trench Work  location map

14th of June 1916 Tinme

14th of June 1916 Orders  location map

30th of June 1916 Orders  location map

8th of July 1916 

19th of July 1916   location map

21st of July 1916 Orders  location map

21st of July 1916   location map

24th of July 1916   location map

1st of August 1916 Gas

2nd of August 1916 Alert

4th of August 1916   location map

5th of August 1916   location map

6th of August 1916 Orders  location map

10th of August 1916 

14th of August 1916 Orders

14th of August 1916 Orders

15th of August 1916 

15th of August 1916 Orders

16th of August 1916 Orders  location map

17th of August 1916 

1st of September 1916 Locations

1st Sep 1916 Flies  location map

2nd Sep 1916 Wet Day  location map

3rd Sep 1916 Orders Received  location map

4th Sep 1916 Billets  location map

7th of September 1916   location map

7th Sep 1916 Conference  location map

11th Sep 1916 Return to Duty  location map

13th of September 1916 Instructions  location map

13th of September 1916 Orders  location map

13th of September 1916   location map

16th of September 1916 Ground Gained  location map

21st of September 1916    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

29th of September 1916 Orders  location map

29th of September 1916 

29th of September 1916   location map

29th of September 1916 Orders  location map

2nd of October 1916 Orders

2nd of October 1916 Orders

3rd of October 1916 Reliefs  location map

3rd of October 1916 Congratulations

9th of October 1916 Working Parties

19th of October 1916 Orders  location map

22nd of October 1916 Situation

22nd of October 1916 Orders  location map

22nd of October 1916 Signals

23rd of October 1916 Orders

23rd of October 1916 

26th of October 1916 Orders  location map

26th of October 1916 Orders

26th of October 1916 Orders  location map

28th of October 1916 Orders

28th of October 1916 

30th of October 1916 Orders  location map

31st of October 1916 Orders

31st of October 1916 

31st of October 1916 Orders  location map

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 Orders  location map

4th of November 1916 Secret  location map

14th Nov 1916 7th DLI In Action

7th of December 1916 

26th of December 1916 

27th of November 1916 

1st of April 1916 

2nd of April 1916 

21st of April 1916   location map

4th of January 1917 

12th of January 1917 

19th of January 1917   location map

19th of January 1917 

21st of January 1917 

22nd of January 1917 

24th of January 1917 

26th of January 1917 

28th of January 1917   location map

31st of January 1917 

13th of February 1917   location map

6th of March 1917 

13th of March 1917 

25th of March 1917 

27th of March 1917 

31st of March 1917 

1st of April 1917 

4th of April 1917 

9th of April 1917 

10th of April 1917 

12th of April 1917 Very Cold West Day

13th of April 1917   location map

20th of April 1917   location map

23rd Apr 1917 Attack and Counter Attack

25th of April 1917   location map

30th of April 1917 

1st of May 1917 Orders

15th of May 1917  

19th of May 1917 Concentration

23rd of May 1917 Dispositions

24th of May 1917 

25th of May 1917 

27th of May 1917 

29th of May 1917 

30th of May 1917 

31st of May 1917 

15th Jul 1917 New Line

16th Jul 1917 Trench Work

17th Jul 1917 Trench Work

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 of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

14th of September 1917 Intelligence  location map

15th of September 1917 Intelligence  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

1st of October 1917 Orders

1st of October 1917 Orders Received

4th of October 1917 Intelligence  location map

12th of October 1917 Orders

12th of October 1917 Orders

12th of October 1917 Orders

18th of October 1917 Orders

22nd of October 1917 Orders  location map

22nd of October 1917   location map

23rd of October 1917 Orders  location map

24th of October 1917 Orders  location map

26th of October 1917 Orders

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

1st of November 1917 Warning

3rd of November 1917 Orders  location map

8th of November 1917 Orders  location map

13th of November 1917 Dispositions  location map

6th of December 1917 

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 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 Intelligence  location map

1st of January 1918 

19th of January 1918 Orders

20th of January 1918 

21st of January 1918 

24th of January 1918 

24th of January 1918   location map

31st of January 1918 Orders

15th of February 1918 Orders  location map

26th of February 1918 Orders

15th of March 1918 

15th of March 1918 

19th Jun 1918 From the Line

23rd of March 1918 Orders  location map

23rd of March 1918   location map

24th of March 1918 Message

1st of April 1918 Operations  location map

3rd of April 1918 Orders

3rd of April 1918 Orders

6th of April 1918 Orders

7th of April 1918 Orders  location map

12th Apr 1918 In Action  location map

13th of April 1918 Report  location map

15th of April 1918 Orders

15th of April 1918 Orders  location map

16th of April 1918 into Billets

1st May 1918 Field Day

5th of May 1918 Orders

5th of May 1918 

27th May 1918 In Action

27th of May 1918 In Action

28th of May 1918 Orders

30th of May 1918 

5th Jun 1918 Into the Line

7th of June 1918 Reliefs

10th of June 1918 

16th of June 1918 

20th of June 1918 

23rd Jun 1918 On the Move

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





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


There are:5721 items tagged 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

7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

during the Great War 1914-1918.

  • Archibald VC. Adam. Spr.
  • Bergman Thomas. Pte.
  • Canham Robert Dixon. Pte. (d.11th Apr 1918)
  • Carswell-Hunt MC. William David. Mjr. (d.5th Apr 1917)
  • Dale Robert Addison. Pte.
  • Drakesmith Henry. Pte. (d.26th May 1915)
  • Edwards John William. Pte. (d.25th May 1915)
  • Hails William. Pte. (d.30th May 1916)
  • Hancock William Carter. Pte. (d.29th May 1915)
  • Harrison John William Scott. Pte.
  • Haswell Robert. Pte. (d.5th Apr 1918)
  • Lanaghan William. Pte. (d.27th May 1918)
  • Liddle Robert William. Pte. (d.1st June 1918)
  • Manley Thomas Henry . L/Cpl (d.27th May 1918)
  • Mason William Sewell. Pte. (d.27th May 1918)
  • O'Hara John. Sgt. (d.21st Apr 1917)
  • Onslow John Charles. Pte.
  • Shepherd Tom. Pte. (d.3rd Nov 1917)
  • Tate Andrew. Pnr. (d.17th April 1917)
  • Taylor Michael. Pte. (d.22nd October 1917)
  • Tovell John George. Pte. (d.23rd Jun 1916)
  • Warren Temperly. Pte.
  • Wilson Albert Sanderson. Pte. (d.2nd June 1918)

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 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry from other sources.


  • The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

  • 1st of September 2023 marks 24 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time.

Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text.



Looking for help with Family History Research?   

Please see Family History FAQ's

Please note: We are unable to provide individual research.

Can you help?

The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors.

If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web.

If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.


Announcements

  • 28th March 2024

        Please note we currently have a massive backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 263784 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit.

      Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted.





      We are now on Facebook. Like this page to receive our updates, add a comment or ask a question.

      If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page.


      World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery
      Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.








  Pte. John William Scott Harrison 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

My Great Grandfather, John William Harrison served in the early days of WW1 as he enlisted 5 Sep 1914 and was wounded (shot in the face)sometime around 1915-1916. He was discharged on 24 Apr 1916 due to wounds. There are photos of him that clearly show his face being disfigured and from family it was said he was never the same man. I have found his silver badge and medal rolls card but have had no luck finding his pension or service records (Burned during WWII?).

<p>

<p>

Simon Harrison






  Pte. John William Edwards 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th May 1915)

John Edwards died of wounds on the 25th of May 1915, aged 25. Buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France, he was the son of John William Edwards deceased, and Jane Bewick (nee Scott), and was born at 38 East Holborn, South Shields, Durham on 13 May 1890. He left a wife, Mary Eleanor, a daughter, Mary Eleanor aged nearly 3 and another daughter, Florence May aged 7 months.

The photo at Bailleul was taken by his great-great-granddaughter, Michelle, on a trip to Europe from Australia in 2002 and she is believed to be the first family member to visit his grave.

<p>

s flynn






  Pte. Robert Haswell 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (d.5th Apr 1918)

On 8th of April 1915, Robert Haswell enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. On 19th of April, his battalion left Newcastle railway station for France. On 21st of September 1916 and then again on 28th of September, he was wounded at Thiepval and Schwaben Redoubt, respectively. At some point, he transferred to the 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment

He died on 5th of April 1918 and is buried at Cambrin Military Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France.

Susan Dearey






  Pte. William Carter Hancock 1st/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th May 1915)

William Hancock fought in WW1 and was my second great-uncle. Enlisting in South Shields, he was part of the Durham Light Infantry, 1st/7th Battalion. He died of wounds on 29th of May 1915 at Rawalpindi British General Hospital. This is the only information I have so far, and if anyone knows anything else I would be very grateful to receive more information.

Rebecca Hancock






  Pte. Tom Shepherd 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd Nov 1917)

Tom Shepherd is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, in Belgium.He was the son of Thomas Shepherd and Eliza Alice Spelman Shepherd Robertson. He enlisted in 1914 at South Shields. He is believed by the family to have died in of poison gas inhalation. His mother Eliza was able to visit his grave at some point before her death, and her trip was paid for by the British Army.

Bonnie Follett






  Pte. Temperly Warren 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry

Temperly Warren enlisted on the 6th of May 1914, aged 19. He landed in Boulogne in April 1915, and saw action through that year. He survived being blown up in 1916 and was sent to No 5 Convalescent Depot, then home to recover and finally he was medically discharged in August 1916 aged 21. Makes you think doesn't it?

He went on to become my grandfather, a lovely man, very fondly remembered. He ate a fry up every day, smoked anything he could put in his pipe and made his own beer and wine and enjoyed drinking it too. Pneumonia finally claimed him in 1977 at the age of 82. I've just been reading through his service papers today on the 100th anniversary of the armistice.

Here's to you Grandad! Having a beer in your memory.

Howard Warren






  Pte. Robert William Liddle 1/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st June 1918)

Billy Liddle was the older brother of my grandfather. He enlisted on 22nd of August 1917, joining the 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on the 7th of April, 1918. From what I have learned he would've joined them at the Battle of Lys, and was captured and killed in action from Allied air bombardment. He is buried at the Anzac Cemetary, Sailly-Sur-La-Lys. His inscription reads, "We are the dead if Ye break faith with us we shall not sleep".







  Pte. Albert Sanderson Wilson 1/7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.2nd June 1918)

Private Albert Wilson was my grandmother's brother. I cannot find his birth date but I have discovered that he is buried in Cologne.

Roger Mansell






  Pte. Michael Taylor 15th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.22nd October 1917)

Michael Taylor was a regular soldier, he enlisted in 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in 1911. In 1916 he was a lance corporal. He was discharged in the summer of 1916 but he re-enlisted on Christmas Day 1916 and joined 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. Michael Taylor was killed in action on 22nd October 1917 at Ypres. He has no known grave and is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

John M Smith






  L/Cpl Thomas Henry Manley 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

Harry Manley enlisted at Leicester town hall in November 1915 and joined the Durham Light Infantry regiment. He was at the Somme in August 1916. 7th Battalion D.L.I pioneers moved to Ypres and where they were attached to 9th Battalion Durham L.I.

Harry was wounded and gassed at Ypres in November 1917 and sent to Endell Street Military Hospital in London. He was sent back to France in April 1918 and posted to 5th battalion Durham Light Infantry at Pontavert on the Aisne. He was killed in action on the 27th May 1918, aged 21. He is buried at Hermonville Military Cemetery, France.

Peter Manley






  Pte. John Charles Onslow 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry

The register for entitlement to the Victory medal and British War medal shows Jack Onslow as and also having served in the 7th and 9th Battalions.

Liz Manning






  Pte. William Sewell Mason 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

William Sewell Mason served with the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he was aged 21 when he died on 27th May 1918. Born in Boldon in Colliery 1897 he was the son of John and Catherine Mason (nee Wigham) of Carman Villa, Monkton Village, Jarrow. on the 1911 census William Sewell Mason age 14 Labourer in Shipyard is listed as living with his parents John and Catherine Mason and family at 15 Ash Street, Hebburn. He lived in Hebburn Colliery when he enlisted in Jarrow.

William is remembered on the Soissons Memorial.

Vin Mullen






  Pte. William Lanaghan 1st/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)

William Lanaghan died aged 17, he was born in Jarrow on the 23rd October 1900, son of John Patrick and Charlotte Anne Lanaghan (nee Robson). In the 1911 Census he is listed as William Lanaghan, age 10, at School, living with his parents John & Charlotte Lanaghan & his siblings at 43, Commercial Road, Jarrow. For some unknown reason he is down as James Lanaghan on his Medal Index Card, perhaps he had used his brother's details to enlist underage? He had an older brother James who was discharged from the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment on the 7th February 1917 due to losing a leg. William is remembered on the Soissons Memorial and on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.

<p>

<p>

Vin Mullen






  Pte. John George Tovell 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Jun 1916)

John Tovell died age 19, born in Jarrow 1896, son of John and Elizabeth Tovell of 20 Sheldon Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Jarrow.

John is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord).

<p>

Vin Mullen






  Pte. William Hails 7th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.30th May 1916)

William Hails died aged 24. Born in South Shields he lived in Jarrow. He was the son of Elizabeth Jane Hails (nee Burnside) and the late James Hails of South Shields and the husband of Dora Johnson (formerly Hails nee Jobson) of 25 Philipson Street East Jarrow. On the 1911 census William Hails age 19 Lamp Lighter is recorded as living with his widowed mother Elizabeth Hails in South Shields. He enlisted at South Shields.

William is buried in La Laiterie Military Cemetery.

Vin Mullen






  Mjr. William David Carswell-Hunt MC. 7th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Apr 1917)

William David Carswell-Hunt served with the 6th and 7th Battalions Durham Light Infantry and died age 44 on the 5th April 1917. He is buried in St. Pol Communal Cemetery Extension.

William was born in Kirkaldy, Fife, husband of Margaret A. Carswell-Hunt of 30 Henry Street Jarrow. William David Carswell-Hunt age 39 Manager of Botanic Brewing is with his wife Margaret A. Carswell-Hunt and family at 24 Hunter Street, South Shields on the 1911 census.

Vin Mullen






  Pte. Robert Dixon Canham 1/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.11th Apr 1918)

Robert Dixon Canham aged 35, died on 11th April 1918 whilst serving with the 1/7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was born, lived and enlisted in Jarrow. He was the son of George and Isabella Canham and husband of Margaret Canham (nee Purvis) of 3 Randolph Street Jarrow.

Robert is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial and was commemorated on the Triptych (right panel) in St. Mark's Church Jarrow (it is no longer a Church)

Vin Mullen






  Spr. Adam Archibald VC. 218th Field Coy. Royal Engineers

Adam Archibald enlisted with the 7th Durham Light Infantry in 1915. He transferred to the 218th Field Company, Royal Engineers during the Second Battle of the Sambre. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for action while his unit was attempting to bridge the Sambre–Oise Canal, he was 39 years old. He received his medal from King George V at Buckingham Palace in May 1919.

His citation reads:

"On 4 November 1918 near Ors, France, Sapper Archibald was with a party building a floating bridge across the canal. He was foremost in the work under a very heavy artillery barrage and machine-gun fire. The latter was directed at him from a few yards distance while he was working on the cork floats. Nevertheless he persevered in his task and his example and efforts were such that the bridge which was essential to the success of the operations was very quickly completed. Immediately afterwards Sapper Archibald collapsed from gas poisoning."







Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.



The Fighting Pioneers - The Story of the 7th Battalion DLI

Clive Dunn


Story of the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. With the creation of the Territorial Force in 1908 the battalion was re-designated as the 7th Battalion. It went to France in April 1915 with the rest of the Northumbrian Division seeing action almost immediately at the Second battle of Ypres. In November 1915 the battalion was picked to become the divisional pioneers. The 1/7 Battalion suffered 600 fatalities. In 1920 when the Territorial Army was reformed it was re-raised in its original role as infantry. The story concludes on 10 December 1936 when the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry became the 47th (Durham Light Infantry) A.A. Battalion R.E. (T.A.), whose personnel went on to serve in the Second World War.






Links


    Suggest a link

















    The free section of The Wartime Memories Project is run by volunteers.

    This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources and we currently have a huge backlog of submissions.

    If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running.


    Hosted by:

    The Wartime Memories Project Website

    is archived for preservation by the British Library





    Copyright MCMXCIX - MMXXIV
    - All Rights Reserved -

    We do not permit the use of any content from this website for the training of LLMs or for use in Generative AI, it also may not be scraped for the purpose of creating other websites.