The Durham Light Infantry

[@patrioticarchive]

God bless them

[@MsThepoet]

They fought. Now the fight is on to save the Durham Light Infantry Museum. The County Council must realise that some things are sacred.

[@alneal100]

My uncle Lenny was in the DLI. He was killed in France, in July of 1944. I have lived in the USA for over forty years, but I still love and miss the people of my homeland.

[@thebestofforum]

My two oldest brothers served in the Durhams (Berlin, Hong Kong, Borneo) both now dead. I just wish you had that bugle the right way round!!!

[@Giltedge04]

My Grandad, William Horn from Middleton In Teesdale was a War Horseman in the DLI. He received the Military Medal for his bravery in the Battle at Le Cateau.

[@namalur]

The line up with Mick Tyas was the best Whisky Priests line up ever. Saw them several times in Stuttgart and Reutlingen and had the chance to talk to them. Very nice people.

[@Spratmac8]

Couldn't agree more Tommy. The county regiments were never defeated on the battlefield, but have been repeatedly stabbed in the back by politicians of all persuasions. Respect to your Great-Granddad, another Brave Bonny Lad who lives on in our admiration. Best wishes, Spratmac8

[@davekathybanks]

Proud of the service of my late father Sgt W Banks 1st Battalion , Durham Light Infantry 1944- 48.

[@gb2301]

my great grandfather was raised in slough but served with 20th DLI 1916-1919. To The Faithful Durhams.

[@Spratmac8]

Respect to your great grandfather. If he fought with the Durhams he was as much a bonny lad as any other member of the DLI.

[@Spratmac8]

My thanks and respect to your Granda. What an achievement and what a debt we owe him. To adapt a phrase of Oscar Wilde's - "to have served in one World War is brave, to have served in two begins to look like true heroism". My uncle John Tingle did three years in an Italian POW camp, but as we know they had nothing on the Stalags. Best wishes to you and your family, Spratmac8

[@Sharpe7]

yeah, my grandad was in the DLI, 8th bat B company, saw action at tobruk, bengazi and El Alamien, i'll have to show him this. cheers

[@shishilala]

In Honour of my uncle - Private Robert Hutchinson 9th Battalion DLI who died 15th July 1943 at the Battle of Primosole Bridge, Sicily. Now laid at rest in Catania War Cemetary. R.I.P. DLI's Regimental Hymn was 'Abide with me' This hymn was first sung during the First World War by the 9th Battalion DLI.

[@Laygate1960]

I'm from South Shields. If you ever go to Durham Cathedral there is a place where you can say a few words for these brave men.

[@MrPictaker]

Great to hear this again, I remember the early days in the Angel in Durham with Mick "Sticks" Stoker on the drums. Good times

[@cogidubnus1953]

Grandad (a resident of Brighton, Sussex) started out in 1915 with the 226th Mixed Signal Regiment, but ended up with the DLI - twice gassed, and finally invalided out in 1919, but something he was incredibly proud of...thank you for posting this....

[@Spratmac8]

My respect to both you Great Granddad and your Granddad - both heroes. It is great to know that the men in the photos are still identifiable thanks to their proud families. Thanks for you kind words and for adding further depth to the DLI story. Best wishes, Sprat.

[@Victoria-zk1yn]

My great great grandad was in the 69th batalion. S.M W.Burnkitt. I was given his cane, compass and cross hairs on his uniform. I have a photo of him from the 1930's, and its all i have left of him. His medals were given to my cousain. He will always be missed. R.I.P

[@viixzons]

My great grandfather was Henry Ashton (43036)

[@johnsimpsonkirkpatrickhist1372]

An excellent slideshow with amazing photographs.

[@Spratmac8]

They certainly did. I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like. Thanks for your comment and my respects to your Granda and what he did for us. Cheers.

[@paulscaife7677]

My late father served in this regiment and saw active service during and after WW2 Whenever I asked him what he did or witnessed he always said I didn't need to know. What a Man and hero

[@Spratmac8]

Respect to your Father. The things he must have gone through and kept within himself - the definition of a hero.

[@davesturdy]

My Great Grandfather, Private Thomas Thomas Was killed in action at Ypres, battle of Hooge, Monday 9th August 1915.

[@Spratmac8]

He and the rest of the band did an excellent job. Please thank him on my behalf. The band left a great legacy of music which I and many others are still enjoying. Best wishes, Sprat.

[@Dead4857]

Im from Darlington, and my family are from Consett. We've had someone serve since the Crimea when it was the 68th foot. Im thinking of joining the army, and I would join this regiment if it was not disbanded :/ God bless brave Durham soldiers :)

[@Spratmac8]

Thank you very much Sharpe7. Please give my thanks and regards to your Granddad for all that he did for us.

[@Uguccione1409]

Thanks a lot for posting, from a reenactor of the 12th DLI (Italian front 1917/1918).

[@MrPictaker]

Great tune for today. Lest we forget

[@Spratmac8]

riflemansaund: I have never heard that nickname before, but it sums up the regiment brilliantly! It is great to hear that the spirit of the DLI is still marching on in The Rifles. Well done on continuing the great tradition and best wishes to you and the rest of your unit.

[@Necrovamp101]

Sorry for the late reply. That is strange indeed! Sadly My Grandad was buried in Nottingham this year a Soldier to the end. I am proud to be a Durhamite and I hope you can say you are proud Nottinghamian!

[@Spratmac8]

@LundyIsle I think 'proud and sad' exactly sums up the feelings I had when putting it together. Thank you for your kind words. Best wishes, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

Thank you very much for your kind words Korinekk. The song is called 'The Durham Light Infantry' and is by The Whisky Priests from their album Nee Gud Luck. Best wishes Sprat.

[@tomjohntig]

God Bless my Great Grandfather company sergeant Major Thomas Tighe DSM a man to be proud of served South Africa and first world war.

[@Spratmac8]

@Dead4857 What a great family tradition! My respects to your family and the service they have given over the centuries. I agree it is a real shame that the DLI was disbanded, but the spirit of the Regiment lives on thanks to the memories of all the bonny lads and lasses associtated with it. Thanks for comment and good luck for the future. I would like to echo your best wishes for Durham soldiers, where ever they may be. All the best, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

My respect to your two brothers. You must be very proud of the fine service they did. I can only apologise about the bugle.

[@averylividmoose3599]

Proud of my county and its history, God save Durham

[@Necrovamp101]

Thank you for the condolences, and the memory of your Uncle shall live on, alon with the DLI and our freedom they fought for!

[@Spratmac8]

Thank you for your comment Shishilala and my respect and thanks to your uncle for making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Thanks also for the information on the hymn, which I didn't know. Best wishes Sprat

[@Necrovamp101]

thank you for posting this, both my Great Grandad and Grandad (SGT P.Woodward and PVT E.Woodward) fought for the Durhams despite bieng from Nottingham! Mpt sure about my G.Grandad but my Grandad was in 16th battalion in Africa and Italy in WW2

[@STEPASAUR]

love and respect to Albert Flynn my Great grandfather who served in the DLI

[@bluebird7962]

Love and respect to my g.grandfather Robert Trotter who served in WWI - Durham Light Infantry. Stand to me bonny lad!

[@Spratmac8]

I am so sorry to hear about your Grandad and please accept my condolences. You can be proud of a life well lived and the values of freedom that he fought to uphold. I am delighted to be able to call myself a Nottinghamian. My Great-Uncle John is buried in Nottingham - even in death the ties remain. Gan Canny, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

Thank you verrieres for your kind words! Best wishes Sprat.

[@Spratmac8]

THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY When I was just a young lad I used to mine the land With a pick across me shoulder Or a shovel in me hand But then the bloody war came And me hero's instincts grew And the posters in the street said "Your country needs you" "Your country needs you" And I knew then what I must do

[@Spratmac8]

My respects to your Great Grandfather. Another brave man, who no doubt saved many others. Thank you for comment. Best wishes, Sprat

[@Spratmac8]

rodbobthebrit: Respect to your Granddad. That must have been a terrible injury to sustain and he must have been a strong man to survive it.

[@CoalMiningTown]

Raise a beer to the Durhams.

[@Spratmac8]

Your Grandad is brave man to whom we all owe a debt. Thanks for your comment.

[@Spratmac8]

The band were called The Whisky Priests and the track comes from their album Nee Gud Luck, which is, sadly, no longer available. Best wishes Spratmac8.

[@GeordieT]

Gigged a lot with the Priests in the 80's. Great bunch of lads :o)

[@Spratmac8]

@tomjohntig Another Durham Hero. My respects to your Great Grandfather who must have shown real courage to win a DSM. Best wishes, Spratmac*

[@Spratmac8]

Thanks Danny.

[@Spratmac8]

@lambtonesq Damn those meddlers! I was born in County Durham, spent my primary school years in the borough of Teesside and my teenage ones in a place called 'Cleveland' and never moved once! Now my hometown of Stockton-on-Tess is back in the 'ceremonial' County of Durham, whatever that is. In my opinion it never left the Land of the Prince Bishops :) Thanks for your comment and best wishes, Spratmac8.

[@Spratmac8]

Respect and honour to him and the sacrifice he made. May he rest in peace. Thank you for your comment, Sprat.

[@GeordieT]

I could. Of course I was very..very drunk! :o) Had a few laughs. The Angel in Durham seems to spring to mind for some reason. Got on particularly well with the drummer I remember. Happy days :oD

[@Spratmac8]

@Chewlip A brave man and a hero. My respect to your Great Granddad. Thanks for your comment, best wishes Spratmac.

[@Spratmac8]

@sedgwick2008 Thanks for your comment. You are right. If you want to serve in the 'grandchild' of the DLI (and the other 'fast-step' infantry regiments), The Rifles is where you need to be. The Regiment is certainly continuing the proud tradition of 'boots on the ground' soldiering that was the meat and drink of the DLI.

[@Spratmac8]

@MrPictaker Great memories. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for commenting. Best wishes, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

Another bonny lad and hero. My respects to him and the debt we owe him. The historians at the DLI museum are very helpful. KZbin won't let me put a link to its site here, but if you Google DLI Museum Durham City you should find it. Best wishes, Spratmac8.

[@garyjohnmaddison6245]

Fine Bunch of Men to walk Alongside

[@Spratmac8]

@Thisbloodypave Thanks for your comment, it is much appreciated. Those Warwickshire Fusiliers were no mean shakes either :)

[@Spratmac8]

Respect to your Great Uncle Sman. I hope he found a warm welcome in the DLI after losing all his comrades from his original unit. I will send you the link for the DLI museum as this comment feature doesn't allow the pasting of web addresses on it. Best wishes, Sprat

[@Spratmac8]

Your very welcome cogidubnus1953. My deepest respect to your Granddad, another DLI Hero. I can't imagine the horror of being gassed. Best wishes, Spratmackrel

[@Spratmac8]

@Necrovamp101 Thank you, you are most welcome. Strangely, my Great Uncle John Tingle, who was born and grew up in south Durham, also fought with the DLI in Italy in WW2, where he was captured and spent three years in a POW camp. After the war he moved to NOTTINGHAM. My respect to your Grandfathers, by virtue of their heroism you have dual nationality British/Durhamite. Best wishes, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

Thanks Jim for your kind words. I would also recommend jpt6573's great Verrieres video to those interested in the DLI.

[@Spratmac8]

@ftmlennox Totally agree! Gary Miller the creative force behind the Preists now perfoms solo and has videos on the his whippetrecords channel

[@Spratmac8]

@Elliot9UK What a dreadful loss for one family to suffer! I can't imagine what effect it must have had. The DLI most certainly did recruit from Sunderland. If you contact the DLI museum in Durham City (they have a website, but KZbin does not allow links to be posted in comments) they should be able to tell you, if and when your relatives served with the Regiment. Best wishes and my respect to your heroic ancestors, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

So we buried all our dead Well at least those that could be found As well as bits of bodies That were scattered all around And it made us sick with anger At the things that the war had done But when it was all over We still kept marching on We still kept marching on Though all me mates are dead and gone Now we'll sing a song of victory That was paid for with the brave But we're left only with monuments And an unknown soldier's grave

[@Spratmac8]

@bluebird7962 My respect to your G.Grandfather. Another bonny lad who went through hell for us. Thank you for your comment. Cheers, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

@tommy3lions A brave man and a son who did his Father proud. My respects to both. Thanks for your comment. All the best, Spratmac8

[@rogerstill71]

My grandfather, George Henry King, was a career soldier, having enlisted in the 1890's. He was serving with the DLI and received a very severe head wound in 1917. This was supposed to have happened at Cambrai, but my sister, the family genealogist, is unable to find records of his particular unit serving there. Any info would be appreciated. (Knowing Poppa, he probably volunteered to be in the thick of it.)

[@korinekk]

one of the most excellent tribune of this site! how is the song called please? thanks

[@Spratmac8]

@AirsoftColm My respect to your family and their great service. Thanks for commenting. Cheers, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

And a special day once every year To remember them to God And commemorate their bravery With a poppy the colour of blood A poppy the colour of blood But we've paid too high a price with all that blood

[@Spratmac8]

@STEPASAUR May I add my respect to your Great grandfather too. Another brave 'bonny lad'. Thank you for your comment, Best wishes, Spratmac8

[@Spratmac8]

Hi Danny, have tracked down the lyrics and will hopefully post them 2morrow. Best wishes, Sprat.

[@Spratmac8]

I bet you could tell a few stories SPLOD41 ;-) Thanks for your comment. Best wishes, Sprat.

[@garymillersongwriter]

A new version of this song, with updated lyrics, by Gary Miller & The Ferryhill Town Band is now available on CD/Download Single : - garymiller.bandcamp.com/album/the-durham-light-infantry

[@Sharpe7]

Awesome mate, my Grandad was in the 8th Bn. DLI WW2, served at El-Alemaen (spelling?) he's still alive 89 years old, I will show him this

[@coldheartgangster]

I know this is years late but my grandad was in the 8th field 1944 9th of september

[@midnightrider4066]

Just found out few min ago my great uncle was killed 22oct 1917,age 20,he was from oxford,can anybody help in knowing what small battle it might be,I kno it was passchendale..OH MY DAYS,iv just watched this video & think that's him stood at 2min45sec.mad.his brother made it thru & would march every remembrance day with tears(my great Gramp).I also have pictures on Brit coast before string off for France,& a few of his platoon looking fresh

[@Spratmac8]

So Billy signed up For a soldier's bloody wage And Jimmy joined the navy So that he could rule the waves And they stood so proud and smart In their uniforms so new And the people lined the street with flags Coloured red, white and blue Coloured red, white and blue -And you'll die for your country too So we're off me boys Through the hell and the noise to fight die for wor country And they'll raise a cross to remember the loss of the Durham Light Infantry

[@robno1]

after doing more research he has in the 8th battalion of the Durham Light Infantry and he died on 5th november at the Butte de Warlencourt

[@Sharpe7]

sweet bro, I'll probably see him this weekend

[@Spratmac8]

In the muddy fields of Flanders We fought like men from hell And the ground itself was ripped apart Where all me best mates fell Jacky Cranston got his balls blown off And a shell took Chorley's leg And in all that hell and madness I wished that I was dead I wished that I was dead And all the sky was filled with lead

[@drifty_grifty]

My great great uncle wasn't originally in the D.L.I. but when his original unit was wipe out in the Somme he was put in their. He died 1918 and he may be in several of these photos but we have no way of telling. Also, could anyone give me a website for the D.L.I's museum, because I know they have one but I can't find any officila stuff. Thanks, Sman

[@robno1]

i think my great great uncle Robert William Robson served with the D.L.I but on his death record it just says Durham whereas on other records it says D.L.I , so im not completely sure

[@henchcunt2669]

they are called the rifles now aren’t they

[@Spratmac8]

Yes, you're right, they were amalgamated with the other Light Infantry regiments.

[@laurent22000]

Lest we forget

[@peterkell2341]

Is this the whiskey priests

[@Spratmac8]

It is indeed, marra 👍

[@peterkell2341]

Happy School lads you know who 😊

[@lesj15]

Not Durhamite,its Dunelmian.