My grandad served in the DLI in WW2 in France, Belgium and Holland. He passed away on 02/09/08. I have his colours and photo's of him in uniform. He never liked to talk about the war and said "There were no hero's everyone was crying for their mam's" but I think they all were. I am going to go to the DLI museum for sure and pay my respects in person. Name Withheld, St. Helens, Merseyside, England, 16/09/2008
In memory of Cpl.Mark Cawthorn, 13th Batallion,who died in the service of his country 0n 6 December 1915 and is buried in X Farm cemetery, la Chapelle d'Armentieres. Irene Somerville-Meikle, irene.sm@tiscali.co.uk, canterbury, , kent, UK, 11/09/2008
In memory of my Father, William Muir, Army number 5443018, who served in the 9th Battalion DLI. Dad sadly passed away last year at the age of 87. Never spoke much of the War but his family would like to hear from anyone who remembers him. We will never forget. Robert Muir, RMUIR1@sky.com, Gravesend, Kent, United Kingdom, 10/09/2008
in memory of John Joseph Huntley killed in action and now buried in jonkerbos holland Name Withheld, mizzymackay@hotmail.co.uk, hartlepool, cleveland, england, 06/09/2008
COULD ANYONE ADVISE ME ON MY GRANDADS CAREER IN THE DLI FROM ANY TRANSCRIPTS ETC HIS NAME WAS PVT.THOMAS PARRY FROM THE EVERTON AREA OF NORTH LIVERPOOL,HE WAS KILLED OUTSIDE CAEN 9/08/1944
HE WAS WITH THE 9TH BAT DLI HIS No: WAS 3652955 HE WAS AGED 27. THANKS steven parry, steparry.5150@tiscali.co.uk, LIVERPOOL, MERSEYSIDE, UK, 02/09/2008
I was interested to see the message from Jim Tuckwell re J.W.S. GIBSON of the 6th Batallion, DLI, as I am looking for photos and information about my relative JOHN (known as Jack I think)BURNS, of West Hartlepool, also in 6th Battalion and killed on 14 June 1944 at Verrieres. I have a moving letter from his CO Major Atkinson (whose memoirs are available at Durham)to his parents describing how he died. There is an account of the day in the book The Faithful Sixth by H. Moses. See also the website North East History: Horror in the Killing Fields of France. Brian Carter, briancarterwilliam@yahoo.com, Maryport, Cumbria, UK, 26/08/2008
My uncle Cpl J W S Gibson served pre-war in the 1st DLI in such places as Shanghi and Tientsin he was known to all as Bill or Billy,Transferred to The 6th DLI in Dec 43 My uncle was Killed in action on the 14/06/1944 at the attack on Verrieres.If any one who has any photographs or accounts of actions involving both the 1st and 6th battalions at this time a copy would be gratefully appreciated.Especially from anyone present at Verrieres on the 14/06/44.Please note the new e-mail address The previous one I posted has now failed completely .May I appologise to anyone who has attempted to use this. JIM TUCKWELL, EMTUCKWELL@TISCALI.CO.UK, SUNDERLAND, DURHAM, ENGLAND, 21/08/2008
My uncle Len Keers served with the DLI and was killed in action in France toward the end of the war.I believe that he had just been back form leave a couple of days when he was killed. He served through most of the war and almost made it through albert neal, dorman@q.com, Ocean Shores, Washington, USA, 22/08/2008
I would first like to pay my respect to all the brave men who fought for our freedom.Thank you to you all.
I am looking to hear from anyone who can remember
or who's farther or granfarther can remember or ever mentioned Major Viz Vizard. 16th DLI . i would love you to get in touch .I knew he kepted in touch with all his commrades.
Must be someone out there! graham skilton, gskilts@aol.com, 07/08/2008
Private John Coultas
15th bn Durham light infantry,
died 29th May 1918
81600 michael dean coultas, mick.coultas@btinternet.com, otley, 03/08/2008
My uncle Cpl J W S Gibson served pre-war in the 1st DLI in such places as Shanghi and Tientsin he was known to all as Bill or Billy,Transferred to The 6th DLI in Dec 43 My uncle was Killed in action on the 14/06/1944 at the attack on Verrieres.If any one who has any photographs or accounts of actions involving both the 1st and 6th battalions at this time a copy would be gratefully appreciated.Especially from anyone present at Verrieres on the 14/06/44. JIM TUCKWELL, lupus-matellus@tiscali.co.uk, Sunderland, Durham, England, 20/07/2008
We recently found the the details of my wifes great uncle. Alexander stobbart,who served in the Durham LI during the Great War. Alex was born in Leadgate,Co Durham we believe in 1898,and joined the 1/8th. His service no was 2063 and he was killed in action on the 26th april 1915,on Flanders field.His body was not recovered and he is mentioned Menin Gate,Ypres.We would be most grateful for any information regarding Alex or the events around that day. keith palin, keithpalin04@aol.com, washington, 17/07/2008
In memory of Archibald Robert Thorburn son of John Archibald Thorburn (born in Durham)and my grandfather who faught for Britain in Ypres and
whom was damaged by the first mustard gas poisoning. Kym John Thorburn, Stones_at_uk@yahoo.co.uk, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 09/07/2008
In memory of my father's cousin, Sergeant Harold Birchenough of the 15th Battalion, D.L.I. who was killed in action in the 3rd Battle of the Aisne, Marne, on the 27th May 1918. He was 21.
His body was never identified but I have recently discovered that the 15th were in the village of Cauroy De Hermonville on 27th May, in trenches under heavy fire and shelling from the Germans and there is a beautifully kept, peaceful cemetery by the War Graves Commission, with graves of other men from his battalion at the neighbouring village of Hermonville where he may be in the grave of an unknown soldier, of which there are a few.
His medals and documents have now been placed in the war memorial at his home town of Leek, Staffs. to represent all young men who sacrificed their lives for us in all wars.
We are very proud of them. Jean Mellings, jeanemel@btopenworld.com, Poole, Dorset, England, 06/07/2008
In loving memory of CPL Brian Fudge. 1943-1993
served with the DLI 1961-68 then re-badged to the RE and served till 1984.
Always remembered, never forgotten. Name Withheld, dratteddog6@yahoo.co.uk, Billingham, Teeside, UK, 29/06/2008
I was wondering if any surviving members of the DLI may have remembered my Grandfather Ernest Scarfe. I believe he may have served with the DLI during the second world war.
Lest We Forget D Scarfe, duane@face-consultants.com, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK, 06/08/2008
++CARR Anthony,L/Cpl++ = my maternal Great Uncle. His name is carved with, tragically, so many others on the Thiepval memorial and at Coxhoe memorial too. A beloved brother of Maggie George, Fred,Robert,Isabella and joseph Carr, Son of William and Mary Ann Carr. "Lions led by donkeys" an apt saying....? carol rogan, ca.rogan@blueyonder.co.uk, blackpool, lancashire, england, 07/08/2008
In loving memory of Stanley Hugh CLAYTON Private 4462065, 8th Battalion, DLI, born 15 May 1913 and died 29 November 1942 as a Prisoner of War in the Middle East, commemorated at Caserta War Cemetery, Italy. Although we never met, you will always be remembered. Rest In Peace. Denise Jervis, 15/08/2008
In memory of a loving father.C/Sgt William [Billy] Wallace 1st Battalion DLI.Served in Egypt Berlin Hong Kong Cyprus Borneo.Fought his own brave battle with cancer.Passed away December 2005 aged 77.Sadly missed by wife Irene and Daughters Annette,Susan and Olwen.RIP. SUSAN CLAUGHAN, susan.claughan@virgin.net, CHESTER LE STREET, DURHAM, UK, 04/06/2008
Anyone who guarded spandau jail approx 1952 . My Dads name is BRIAN DOUGLAS LEACH from OXFORD.His memory isnt as good as it was ,so it would be good to give him any comments or messages lorraine knipe, john.knipe@genesisconsultancy.com, 02/06/2008
In Memory of Frederick Ryder my husband's Grandfather who fought for his country and was badly wounded in WWI. Husband to Hannah and father to Raymond, Harold, Doreen, Raymond and Norman. A brave soldier like so many others. D Ryder, dawnryder2000@yahoo.co.uk, Stockton, England, 12/05/2008
WILLIAM BLACKWOOD
9TH BATTLION DLI
NUMBER...4460867
died March 1980
My dear dad who fought for his country in ww2 even though he was warned not to due to him suffering Pernicious anemia (no cure at that time) Thank you Dad you are my hero, always in my thoughts & heart.Love You...your daughter Marilyn. Also a special BIG THANK YOU to the GURKHAS my dad spoke well of you. Marilyn Grech, Bishop Auckland, Co.Durham, UK, 26/04/2008
Remembering the draft of men (165+) and officers (4+) of the 2/1st Derbyshire Yeomanry who joined 14th Bttn DLI in France in October 1916 of whom at least 40 died and at least 4 were taken POW ... and none returned unscathed by the ravages of war. Colin Alsbury, colin.alsbury@btinternet.com, Frome, Somerset, 25/04/2008
Remembering L/Cpl John Lowrey of the 15th DLI - number 21697 who lost his life in the Battle of Loos on 25th September 1915. His mother was my great-grandmother and I am continuing her search for information and understanding. So many young lives lost in the name of .... ?????
I didn't know my great-grandmother but I can relate to her mother's heart as would many mothers who have been blessed to live in times of peace.
We WILL remember them all. Lynda Peacock, hrstrategies@bigpond.com, Brisbane, Queensland , Australia, 25/04/2008
My great uncle Joseph Blythe was killed in action at Boetleer's Farm . He was in 1st/8th Bn., DLI. His number was 2675 and he died on 26th April 1915. His name is on the Menin Gate. William Cavanagh, krinkelt@aol.com, Chester-Le-Street, Durham, Uk, 18/04/2008
In memory of my uncle Private William Cavanagh who died aged 2 when the Scillin was sunk on 14th November 1942 by HMS Sahib. William Cavanagh, krinkelt@aol.com, Chester-Le-Street, Durham, 18/04/2008
In memory of my great uncle Joe.E.Sykes 81071 whom i never met but i think of the bravery and hardship he must have endured like so many other young men of his generation .He died aged 19 on the 15th of sept 1918 . He is buried at Glageon Communal Cemetary . This is the only info i have if any1 could help with more info it would be greatly appreciated . Anthony Sykes, tonysykes@samfuller.fsnet.co.uk, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, 27/11/2003
In memory of my granmother kaziahs brother who served in the DLI and died in belguim 31/10/1918.
His name was Henry Hill Bicker pte. 73802 He was the son of Kaziah and Robert Bicker of south shields, and moved to dunston when he married. I have very little info on his family.
He will never be forgotten. Name Withheld, fjne15780@blueyonder.co.uk, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, 26/05/2005
My Grandfather, Herbert Blowman, served with the DLI from 1907-1919. He died before I was born and I know little or nothing of what he did personally, other than looking at his 1914-1915 Star, his WWI victory medal and his India Service Afghanistan 1919 medal, but I know the sacrifices that they all made for our freedom. We must never forget. We must never let it happen again. Stuart Thomson, s.a.thomson@hotmail.co.uk, West Sussex, 16/03/2006
My Great Uncle Sydney Clark served with the 15th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. He was from Gateshead and this is where he enlisted. His service number was 76340 and he was killed in action on the 27/5/1918. He is remembered on the memorial at Soisson but I am unable to find him on a memorial in Gateshead. I know very little about this young man other than he had 6 weeks basic training before he was killed at the age of 18 years. My father was named in memory of him and he was born in the October of 1919. His Father (my Grandfather) was unable to join up as he had had rhumatic fever as a child and was not considered fit. He also had another brother Joe(Joseph) who also joined up and he I know survived the war. I have a photo of Joe but I know nothing about his war years or his life afterwards. My Grandfather was Thomas Clark and they lived in Edward Street, West St Gateshead. Is there anyone out there who knows anything of the 15th Battalion or anything about the events leading up to Private Sydney's death?
Having visited the first world War Battlefields last year for the first time I was overwhelmed by the shear scale of the carnage that went on. These young men where so brave and should never be forgotten by this generation and beyond for the sacrifices that they made for the world we live in today.
Any imformation on any aspect of this message would be gratefully received as it is difficult to research effectively when you are unable to visit an area. Thank you for taking time to read this. Sally Smith, thesmiffs15@blueyonder.co.uk, thornbury, south glos, England, 26/09/2006
| 
