Private, 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry - Cologne, Germany, February 1919

Uniform and equipment of a Private, 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry on sentry duty in Cologne, Germany in early 1919.
/ riflemanmoore
/ riflemanmoore

[@RiflemanMoore]

Something I neglected to mention in the commentary; the DLI's enlisted shoulder insignia of the period should also include a separate bugle horn worn above the 'DURHAM' title. However, there are many photos from the period showing this detail omitted so I followed suit and wore the 'DURHAM' title only.

[@gb2301]

@Rifleman Moore can you put me on to a link to these photos please. my gt grandfather was 20th D.L.I and believe he was in cologne in 1919, well up to demob in feb 1919. we have a pair of photos from andover 1916, when he was 2/7 DLI, but these are of him only.

[@TheEphemeris]

Always suburb content. I stumbled upon your channel by accident. I was actually looking for British enameled canteens then found your channel and am blown away by your commitment to preserving history. What a collection!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thank you! My collection pales in comparison to those of some of my friends, between us we have quite a lot of British military history preserved I have to say.

[@finlayshields5860]

This is a great video good job , my great grandfather fought in France with the DLI during the First World War

[@johnbrigg3184]

The 2nd Bn. Durham LI after active service in the Far East in the Second World War, including Kohima as part of the Second Infantry Division, was disbanded in 1948 only to be re-formed in 1953 and serve in BAOR, against as part of 2 Div. I joined in 1955 as a National Serviceman. Interestingly we were at Wuppertal only 30 miles from Cologne, and doing the same job as our predecessors in Colgne in 1918, before disbanding again in July 1955

[@davesturdy]

My great grandfather was in 2nd battalion in DLI , he was killed in action in Ypres, 1915.

[@dream5142]

So was my great great nephew he died as well

[@David-vi4ne]

The Regimental museum in Durham is worth a visit.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Shall have to try and find time to pop over.

[@michaelamos4651]

Another great video. Very interesting period. Thanks

[@RiflemanMoore]

A fascinating period indeed, many thanks!

[@dream5142]

My great uncle was in the 2nd battalion he died in France june 16th 1916

[@steveday1257]

There was over 44 battalions of DLI at one point if my ageing mind serves me well , my dad and Grandad both served with them.

[@RiflemanMoore]

42 I believe, some of which were very short-lived holding battalions, etc. but 22 of the battalions would serve overseas which is no mean feat.

[@steveday1257]

That will be right, some were PALs battalions one i studied was a short lived AA and Searchlight battalion. I checked out parts of Teesdale where there camps were located. @@RiflemanMoore

[@synappticuser1493]

John Henry kidd DLI Crook Co Durham stationed Cologne 1919 deserted Wife and 4 children -1931 the boy preacher in the Crook circuit his new eve Elizabeth from PENSHAW CO DURHAM HE LIKES THE NAME MY MOTHER ALSO CALLED ELIZABETH a disgrace to the Regiments traditional Name The Faithfull one of the twins [e-mail]

[@firearmsaremagic]

Very interesting and informative video, much appreciated, the post war occupation of Germany is something you don't hear much about. Would you consider doing a presentation on British troops in stationed in Russia during the allied intervention of this same period? I'd imagine the uniform would be mostly the same as this.

[@RiflemanMoore]

I'm very glad you found it interesting! Uniform would indeed be similar in Russia but the amount of web equipment worn would depend on duties to some degree. Some clothing designed for more extreme cold weather was also on issue at the time.

[@michaelamos4651]

Could you possibly tell me how many battalions of the DLI there were at this time

[@RiflemanMoore]

During the war the regiment grew to 42 battalions, some 22 of which saw service overseas. However, by 1918 some had been reduced to cadre strength or disbanded through Army reorganisation. There is an interesting article covering this on Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battalions_of_the_Durham_Light_Infantry