Durham Light Infantry historical timeline

When was the DLI first formed?

In 1758 Colonel John Lambton of Lambton Castle near Chester le Street in County Durham raised a new Regiment of the British Army - the 68th Regiment of Foot. This was the ancestor of  The Durham Light Infantry.

What are Regular soldiers?

Regular soldiers are full-time, professional soldiers. In the 18th and 19th Century, Regulars joined the 68th Regiment or enlisted for 'life'. Many of these men came from Ireland, especially at the time of the Irish Famine. After 1870 Regulars enlisted for only 12 years and served just 7 years 'with the Colours' then 5 years in the Reserve. Few men from County Durham served as Regulars in the DLI before the First World War.

What is the difference between Light Infantry and ordinary infantry?

On battlefields in the 18th Century, most infantry soldiers stood and fought in rigid lines, whilst dressed in cumbersome uniforms and laden with heavy equipment. During the wars in North America, the British Army saw the need for a new type of better trained and equipped soldier, who could move quickly and quietly, scout and skirmish and use his initiative in battle. These soldiers were the first Light Infantrymen and the bugle became their symbol. In 1808 the 68th Regiment of  Foot was re-equipped and re-trained and became the 68th Light Infantry.

Did the 68th Light Infantry fight at the Battle of Waterloo?

From 1811-14 the 68th Light Infantry served with the Duke of Wellington's Army in the Peninsular War in Spain and Portugal. The Regiment fought in the main battles against Napoleon's French Army at Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle and Orthez. After the Peninsular War ended, the 68th LI sailed for Ireland and was in Belfast when the Battle of Waterloo was fought.

Did the 68th Light Infantry take part in the Charge of the Light Brigade?

The 68th Light Infantry were at the Battle of Balaclava but did not take part in the Charge of the Light Brigade because this was made by cavalry regiments and not by infantry soldiers. From 1854-56 the 68th LI was part of the British Army in the Crimea fighting to capture the Russian Black Sea naval base of Sebastopol. The 68th LI saw action in the major battles at Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman.

Why does the DLI have the Battle Honour 'Persia'?

In 1839 the 2nd Bombay European Infantry Regiment was raised in India by the Honourable East India Company. This Company governed India and had its own Army of Indian and British soldiers. In 1856 a HEIC Army from Bombay, including the 2nd Bombay European Light Infantry (made Light Infantry in 1840), invaded Persia. This war against Persia (now known as Iran) was fought over Afghanistan and the 2nd Bombay European LI saw action in the battles of Bushire, Reshire and Kooshab. Later these Battle Honours were added to the DLI's Battle Honours.

What was the link between the East India Company and the DLI?

After the near-disaster of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, the British government took control of India from the Honourable East India Company and the old Company Army was broken up. The 2nd Bombay European Light Infantry was then made part of British Army and was renamed the 106th Light Infantry. In 1881 the 106th LI became the 2nd Battalion The Durham Light Infantry.

Why does the DLI have the Battle Honour 'New Zealand'?

In 1864 the 68th Light Infantry was ordered to New Zealand, where the Maoris had gone to war to try to halt the spread of the British settlements on North Island. The Regiment saw action in two battles at Gate Pah and Te Ranga, where Sergeant John Murray won the Victoria Cross.

When did the Regiment become The Durham Light Infantry?

In 1881, as part of a major reform of the British Army, the 68th Light Infantry, the 106th Light Infantry and the Durham Militia merged to form a new Regiment - The Durham Light Infantry.

Did the DLI fight in red coats at the Battle of Ginnis in 1885?

In 1885 the 2nd Battalion DLI formed part of an Army sent to defend Egypt from invasion from the Sudan by the Mhadi's Army. The Battle of Ginnis was fought by the River Nile in December 1885. This was the last battle fought by British soldiers wearing red coats but, as the Durhams had left their red coats behind in Cairo, they were wearing khaki.

Did the DLI Regulars, Militiamen and Volunteers ever see action at the same?

The three different types of DLI soldier - Regular, Militia and Volunteer - were only once in action together. This was in South Africa in the Boer War (the Boers were white farmers of Dutch ancestry). From 1899-1902, the 1st Battalion took part in Relief of Ladysmith fighting at Colenso, Spion Kop and Vaal Krantz; the 2nd Battalion served on horseback as Mounted Infantry and the Militia and Volunteer Battalions also saw action in South Africa.

Is it true that more DLI soldiers died of disease in the Boer War than in battle?

In all the wars before the First World War, diseases, especially those caused by dirty water, killed more soldiers than bullets or bayonets. In the Boer War the DLI lost over 100 soldiers dead with many more wounded or invalided home through poor health. Most of these were caused by disease.

What was the Durham Militia?

In the 18th Century, every county in England had its own Militia with the local gentry as its officers and its part-time soldiers chosen at first by ballot. The Militia was only for home defence and in wartime would be called up (mobilized) to defend towns and coastal forts from invasion, freeing Regular (professional) soldiers to fight overseas. The Durham Militia was formed in 1759 by the Earl of Darlington at Barnard Castle. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Durham Militia was mobilized and served over 20 years in England and Scotland on garrison duty.

What happened to the Durham Militia?

In 1853 the Durham Militia was split into the South Durham Militia at Barnard Castle and the North Durham Militia in Durham City. In 1881 these units became the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the newly-formed Durham Light Infantry. During the Boer War (1899-1902), both saw active service in South Africa but during the First World War (1914-18) they remained at home defending County Durham's coastline. With the end of the First World War, the Militia was put into 'suspended animation' and was finally scrapped in 1953.

Who were the Durham Volunteers?

During the Napoleonic Wars units of armed, part-time soldiers - Volunteers - were raised in Durham to defend the County if the French invaded. None of these units saw any active service and all were disbanded by 1815. In 1859 fear of France saw a revival of Volunteers across the country and in County Durham 19 towns and villages raised units of Rifle Volunteers (for example Stockton, Beamish, Castle Eden, Bishop Auckland and Sunderland). These part-time soldiers became Volunteer Battalions of the DLI in 1887 and then in 1908 were renamed as Territorial Battalions of the DLI.

How many DLI Territorial battalions were formed in 1908?

In 1908 five Territorial Battalions of the DLI were formed - 5th Battalion in the Stockton, Darlington and Castle Eden area; 6th Battalion in the Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle and Consett area; 7th Battalion in Sunderland; 8th Battalion in the Durham City and Chester le Street area; 9th Battalion in the Gateshead and Blaydon area.

How many battalions did the DLI have during the First World War?

At the start of the First World War in August 1914, the DLI had only nine battalions - two Regular, two Reserve (old Militia) and five Territorial (old Volunteers). By 1918 the DLI had grown to 43 battalions. 22 of these battalions fought overseas.

Were the DLI at Gallipoli?

Most of the DLI's 22 active service battalions fought on the Western Front in France and Belgium. Some saw action in Egypt, Italy, India, Macedonia and northern Russia but none took part in the Gallipoli Campaign.

In the First World War what were Service Battalions?

Service Battalions were battalion of volunteers originally formed in 1914-15, for example the 13th (Service) Battalion DLI. These soldiers only joined the Army to 'serve' for as long as the war lasted.

Who were the Durham Pals?

As soon as the First World War began in August 1914, thousands of Durham men heard Lord Kitchener's call for volunteers - 'Your County Needs You' - and left their civilian jobs to join a New Army. These volunteers were then formed into Service Battalions like the 'Durham Pals' (18th Battalion DLI), 'Durham Bantams' (19th Battalion DLI) and the 'Wearsiders' (20th Battalion DLI).

Who were the 'Bantams'?

During the First World War, the height limit for joining the Army was lowered, so that men between 5' and 5'3" could volunteer. Many of these men were coal miners and in County Durham the 19th (Bantam) Battalion DLI was formed in 1915.

What happened at Hartlepool in December 1914?

On 16 December 1914 German warships attacked ports on the East coast of England and Hartlepool was shelled. Some of the Durham Pals were based at Hartlepool during the attack and Private Theo Jones, a 27 year old teacher from Hartlepool, was killed. He was the first soldier of Kitchener's New Army to die in action.

What did the 1st Battalion DLI do in the First World War?

The 1st Battalion DLI was in India when the First World War began in August 1914. These Durhams remained on garrison duty in northern India throughout the war and also took part in the 3rd Afghan War of 1919.

Which DLI battalion was first into action in the First World War?

The 2nd Battalion DLI's Regular soldiers were the first of the Durhams in action at Troyon on the River Aisne in northern France in September 1914. In one day's fighting the battalion lost almost as many men (40 dead and 100 wounded) as the Durhams had lost in the Boer War.

When did the DLI's Territorial battalions first go into action in the First World War?

In April 1915, just days after landing in France, all five DLI Territorial battalions fought at the 2nd Battle of Ypres as part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. These battalions had been training for war since August 1914 and, in just a few weeks of battle around this ruined town in Belgium, they lost almost a third of their soldiers killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

When did the DLI's New Army battalions go into action in the First World War?

The DLI New Army volunteers had been in training since the early months of the war in 1914. The 10th Battalion DLI was the first in action in the trenches in June 1915 but then in September 1915 the 14th and 15th Battalions were sent straight from landing in France into the Battle of Loos. The Durhams lost over 750 men killed or wounded in this attack.

Who was the first DLI soldier to win the VC in the First World War?

In November 1915 Private Thomas Kenny, a coal miner from South Wingate in County Durham, was awarded the first DLI Victoria Cross of the First World War.

Did any DLI's battalions attack on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916?

On 1 July 1916, the first day of Battle of the Somme, two DLI battalions took part in the attack. The 15th Battalion DLI attacked south of the Somme near Fricourt, whilst the 18th Battalion - 'Durham Pals' - were north of the river at Serre. On the first day of the battle, 'D' Company 18 DLI lost over 50 men killed advancing towards the German trenches.

When did the Battle of the Somme end?

In November 1916 the Battle of the Somme ground to a standstill in mud and rain. The DLI's last action on the Somme was the failed attack by the Territorials on the Butte de Warlencourt on 5 November 1916.

Was the DLI in action on the Western Front in 1917?

During 1917 the Durhams fought on the Western Front at Arras in April; Messines in June; and from July to November in the 3rd Battle of Ypres - better remembered today as the Battle Passchendaele. At the end of 1917, the 14th Battalion DLI also fought in the Battle of Cambrai - the first great tank battle in history.

What happened to the DLI in the spring of 1918?

In March 1918 the German Army launched a massive attack on the Somme and the 2nd Battalion DLI was overwhelmed with only 60 men escaping death, wounding or capture. Other battalions suffered heavily in the German attacks of April and May, before the German advance was halted. Four DLI battalions - 5th, 6th, 8th and 22nd DLI - ceased to exist after these battles.

Did any DLI battalions fight in Italy during the First World War?

Three DLI battalions - 12th, 13th & 20th DLI - fought in northern Italy against the Austrian Army. In October 1918 the 12th Battalion DLI took part in the final attack across the River Piave that forced Austria to surrender.

Did the Durhams play any part in the Allied victory of 1918?

In August 1918 the British Army, with its French and American allies, launched the first of its attacks on the Western Front. Battle after battle drove the Germans back and 11 battalions of the DLI took part in the advances in Belgium and France that ended with the defeat of the German Army and the Armistice of 11 November 1918.

Did any DLI battalions go into Germany after November 1918?

On 11 November 1918 the Armistice was signed and the guns fell silent on the Western Front. Three battalions - 2nd, 9th and later 20th DLI - were then sent into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. In March 1919 two battalions of Young Soldiers - 51st and 52nd DLI - left Catterick Camp for Germany. There they took over as military guards in Cologne.

How many of the Durhams died during the First World War?

The Durham Light Infantry lost 13,000 men killed during the First World War with thousands more wounded, gassed or taken prisoner.

Did the DLI ever fight in Afghanistan?

The 1st Battalion DLI fought in the 3rd Afghan War in 1919 and all the Durhams involved were awarded a campaign medal, though it is possible that none of them fired a shot in anger and the fighting ended without the battalion going into action.

When was the DLI last in action on the North West Frontier of India?

In 1930 the 2nd Battalion DLI saw action on the North-West Frontier of India against local Mahsud tribesmen. During a brief skirmish near Razmak, Corporal William Brooks won the Military Medal for his bravery leading his men under fire. This was the only Military Medal awarded in 1930.

How many battalions of the DLI served overseas during the Second World War?

During the Second World War, nine DLI battalions fought as infantry overseas - 1st, 2nd, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 16th Battalions DLI. But there were other battalions that only served at home like the 70th Young Soldiers' Battalion DLI.

Did the DLI fight in every major campaign of the Second World War?

Other than for the campaign in Norway, DLI battalions fought in every major campaign of the Second World War - Dunkirk, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Burma and from D-Day to the final defeat of Nazi Germany in May 1945.

In what Divisions did DLI battalions serve during the Second World War?

• The 1st Battalion DLI served with the 10th Indian Division in Italy.
• The 2nd Battalion DLI served with the 2nd Division in 1940 and then in Burma.
• The three Territorial battalions - 6th, 8th and 9th DLI - served with the 50th Division throughout the war.
• The 9th Battalion DLI also served with the 7th Armoured Division - the Desert Rats - in the last months of the war.
• The 10th and 11th Battalions DLI served with the 49th Division in Iceland and Normandy.
• The 16th Battalion DLI served with the 46th Division in North Africa and Italy.

Which DLI battalion was first in action in the Second World War?

Just as in the First World War, the Regulars of the 2nd Battalion DLI were the first to be sent to France in September 1939 and were the first in action when the Germans invaded Belgium in May 1940. In that first battle Second Lieutenant Richard Annand from South Shields won the Victoria Cross.

Was Richard Annand VC the first person to win the Victoria Cross in the Second World War?

The first Victoria Cross of the Second World War was awarded to a sailor. In May 1940 Second Lieutenant Richard Annand was the first soldier to win the Victoria Cross of the war.

Why did some Durham soldiers wear a Polar Bear badge during the Second World War?

After returning home from Dunkirk, the 10th and 11th Battalions DLI were re-equipped and sent to Iceland in October 1940, as part of the 49th Division, to stop the Germans from using the island as a base. They remained there until December 1941. Whilst on Iceland the 49th Division adopted a new badge - a Polar Bear. The most exciting event during the long months on Iceland was a visit by Winston Churchill on his way home after meeting the US President.

Who was the last DLI soldier to win the Victoria Cross?

In June 1942 Private Adam Wakenshaw of Newcastle upon Tyne was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his outstanding bravery with the 9th Battalion DLI at Mersa Matruh in North Africa. Adam Wakenshaw was the last soldier of the DLI to win the Victoria Cross. He was also Newcastle's only VC winner.

What did Monty think about the DLI?

Thousands of DLI soldiers served under Monty - Field Marshall Montgomery of Alamein - in North Africa and Sicily and from D-Day to the end of the war. Monty later said of DLI - 'It is a magnificent Regiment, steady as a rock in battle and absolutely reliable on all occasions. The fighting men of Durham are splendid soldiers'.

Did any DLI soldiers fight in Burma during the Second World War?

Only the 2nd Battalion DLI, as part of the 2nd Division, served in India and Burma during the Second World War. These Durhams fought in the Battle of Kohima in April-May 1944 that halted the Japanese invasion of India. The battalion later took part in the advance through Burma and was at Rangoon when the Japanese surrendered on 15 August 1945.

Did any DLI soldiers fight on the Italian mainland during the Second World War?

Both the 1st and 16th Battalions DLI fought in the campaign on the Italian mainland. 16 DLI landed at Salerno in September 1943. The 1st Battalion arrived later and both were still in Italy when the war ended in May 1945.

What was the most terrible battle of the Second World War fought by the Durhams?

In July 1943 Durham Territorial soldiers from 6th, 8th & 9th Battalions DLI fought German parachutists at Primosole Bridge in Sicily. There the Germans lost over 300 men killed and the Durhams suffered 500 casualties. Part of the battlefield was called 'Stink Alley'. This battle was possibly the most terrible in Europe but nothing compares to the horrors of the fighting at Kohima in 1944.

Were many DLI soldiers taken prisoner during the Second World War?

Thousands of Durhams were taken prisoner during the Second World War. Many were captured in 1940 before Dunkirk and spent five years in prison camps. Others were captured in battles in North Africa at Mersa Matruh and Mareth; whilst the 1st Battalion DLI was almost wiped out on the island of Cos in the eastern Mediterranean in 1943. However no DLI soldiers were captured in India or Burma and suffered imprisonment in Japanese prisoner of war camps.

Where did the DLI land on D-Day?

On D-Day - 6 June 1944 - the 6th, 8th and 9th Battalions DLI, as part of the 50th Division, landed on Gold Beach in Normandy. Later that month the 10th and 11th Battalions DLI joined the fighting in Normandy. The 50th Division took part in the advance across France and into Belgium, where in September 1944, the three Durham battalions fought their last major battle at Gheel.

Did any DLI battalions join the final advance into Germany in 1945?

Only the 9th Battalion DLI took part in the final advance into Germany and was in Hamburg when Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945. 9 DLI later took part in the Victory Parade with Russian and American forces in Berlin.

How many DLI soldiers were killed in the Second World War?

Over 3,000 DLI soldiers died in the Second World War with many more 1000s wounded or made prisoners of war.

Did the DLI serve in Korea?

The 1st Battalion DLI served as part of the Commonwealth Division with the United Nations in the Korean War in 1952-53. Many of these Durhams were young conscripts doing their National Service.

What happened to the 2nd Battalion DLI?

The 2nd Battalion DLI - the old 106th Light Infantry - was finally disbanded in 1954 whilst serving in Germany.

Who was the last Colonel in Chief of the DLI?

Princess Alexandra was the DLI's last Colonel in Chief. She had been appointed in December 1957 and played a leading role in the Regiment's 200th Anniversary celebrations at Brancepeth Castle in 1958.

Did the DLI ever serve in Cyprus?

The 1st Battalion DLI served twice on the island of Cyprus, firstly in 1958 and again in 1968, with the United Nations. In July 1968, whilst the battalion was on Cyprus, the DLI became part of a newly-created Regiment - The Light Infantry.

What is the link between the DLI and the Berlin Wall?

The 1st Battalion DLI was serving in Berlin in 1961 when the Berlin Wall was being built. By a strange coincidence, the 1st Battalion The Light Infantry was in Berlin when the Wall came down in November 1989.

Where did the DLI fight its last battle?

In 1966 the 1st Battalion DLI saw action for the last time in the jungles and mountains of the island of Borneo. In February 1966, Thomas Griffiths died - the last of the Durhams to be killed in action - and John Arnot was awarded the Military Cross - the last gallantry award to a soldier of The Durham Light Infantry.

What happened to the 1st Battalion DLI?

In July 1968, The Durham Light Infantry became part of a newly-created Regiment - The Light Infantry. The 1st Battalion DLI then briefly became the 4th Battalion The Light Infantry before that battalion was disbanded. On 12 December 1968, the last set of the DLI's Colours (flags) were paraded on Palace Green and then finally laid-up in the Regimental Chapel in Durham Cathedral.

Which Regiments merged in 1968 to form The Light Infantry?

In 1968 four old 'County' Regiments - The Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry, The King's Shropshire Light Infantry, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and The Durham Light Infantry -merged to form one new large Regiment - The Light Infantry.

What was the DLI's motto?

During the 1770s, the 68th Regiment of Foot - the ancestor of the DLI - began to use the motto 'Faithful'. The reason for this is now lost but 'Faithful' remained the DLI's motto and is still used today by ex-members of the Regiment.

Was the DLI the fastest marching Regiment in the British Army?

The DLI marched at 140 paces to the minute but other Regiments marched as quickly and so the Durhams were not the fastest marching soldiers in the British Army.

How many VCs were won by the DLI?

Eleven Victoria Crosses were won by the DLI:

• Private John Byrne, 68th LI, Crimea, 5 November 1854.
• Captain Thomas Hamilton, 68th LI, Crimea, 11 May 1855.
• Sergeant John Murray, 68th LI, New Zealand, 21 June 1864
• Private Thomas Kenny, 13th Battalion DLI, France, 4 November 1915
• Lieutenant Colonel Roland Bradford, 9th Battalion DLI, France, 1 October 1916
• Private Michael Heaviside, 15th Battalion DLI, France, 6 May 1917
• Second Lieutenant Frederick Youens, 13th Battalion DLI, Belgium, 7 July 1917
• Captain Arthur Lascelles, 14th Battalion DLI, France, 3 December 1917
• Private Thomas Young, 9th Battalion DLI, France, 25-31 March 1918
• Second Lieutenant Richard Annand, 2nd Battalion DLI, Belgium, 15-16 May 1940
• Private Adam Wakenshaw, 9th Battalion DLI, Egypt, 27 June 1942

What are Battle Honours?

Battle Honours are the names of battles or campaigns in which a Regiment took part. The DLI's Battle Honours include 'Inkerman', 'Somme 1916', 'Dunkirk 1940' and 'Kohima'.

What the last Battle Honour awarded to the DLI?

'Korea 1952-53' was the last Battle Honour awarded to the DLI. None was awarded for the Borneo campaign of 1965-66.

What are the Colours?

The Colours are special flags carried by an infantry Regiment. Each regiment had two flags - a Regimental Colour and a King's or Queen's Colour. Most of the DLI's old Colours are hanging in Durham Cathedral.

What were the DLI's Regimental Days?

The DLI had two special Regimental Days. The 1st Battalion DLI's was 'Inkerman Day' held on 5 November and the 2nd Battalion DLI's was 'Hooge Day' held on 9 August.

Where was the DLI Headquarters?

In 1881 the DLI's first Depot or Headquarters was in Sunderland. In 1884 the Depot moved to Fenham Barracks in Newcastle upon Tyne, where it remained until 1939, when it moved to Brancepeth Castle near Durham City. In 1962 the DLI's Depot moved out of the North East of England to Sir John Moore Barracks in Shrewsbury. This was the DLI's last Depot.

What is a Freedom Town?

A Freedom Town gives a Regiment the right to march with 'Colours flying, bugles sounding & bands playing'. The DLI had three Freedom Towns - Durham City (granted on 15 March 1944), Sunderland (granted on 10 June 1944) and Hartlepool (granted on 22 April 1958).

What is a battalion?

A battalion is part of a regiment, for example the 2nd Battalion The Durham Light Infantry. During the First World War each battalion was made up of about 1,000 men led by a Lieutenant Colonel.

What is a company?

A company is part of a battalion, for example 'B' Company 2nd Battalion DLI. During the First World War there were four companies in a battalion, each with about 250 soldiers led by a Major or a Captain.

What is a platoon?

A platoon is part of a company, for example No: 3 Platoon, 'B' Company 2nd Battalion DLI. During the First World War there were four platoons in a company, each with 30 to 50 soldiers led by a Lieutenant or a Second Lieutenant.

What is a division?

A division was the main fighting unit of the British Army with its own artillery, infantry & transport, for example the 50th Northumbrian Division. During the First World War there were over 70 British Divisions, each with 18,000 soldiers and led by a Major General.

What was the DLI's Regimental March?

It was 'The Light Barque'.

What was the DLI's Slow March?

It was 'The Old 68th'.

What was the DLI's Double March?

They were 'Keel Row' and 'Moneymusk'.

What was the DLI's Regimental Hymn?

It was 'Abide With Me'. This hymn was first sung during the First World War by the 9th Battalion DLI.

What were the DLI's favourite songs?

They were 'Blaydon Races', 'Geordie Hinny', 'Lambton Worm' and 'Cushy Butterfield'.