Dates: 1758 - 2007
The story of the DLI begins in 1758, when General John Lambton of County Durham first raised the 68th Regiment of Foot as part of the British Army.
Fifty years later, the 68th was chosen to become a new light infantry regiment - with better trained and equipped soldiers - and was sent to fight in Wellington's Army in Portugal and Spain. There the Regiment won its first Battle Honours
Later the Regiment fought in the Crimean War and in New Zealand. During these campaigns, three Durham's were awarded the Victoria Cross - John Byrne, Thomas de Courcy Hamilton and John Murray.
In 1881 The Durham Light Infantry was formed and soon saw action in Egypt and against the Boers in South Africa.
During the First World War - the Great War - 1000s of volunteers from the mines, shipyards, farms, shops, schools, offices and industries of County Durham joined the DLI. By 1918, the Durhams had raised 43 battalions - like the Durham Pals - with 22 seeing active service overseas - on the Western Front, in Italy, Egypt, Salonika and India. The DLI (or better known as "Wipers”) fought in every major battle of the Great War - at Ypres, Loos, Arras, Messines, Cambrai, on the Somme and Passendale. Some 13,000 Durham's died on these battlefields, with thousands more wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. Six Durham's were awarded the Victoria Cross during the Great War
During the Second World War, 9 battalions of the DLI fought with distinction in every major theatre of the War - from Dunkirk in 1940, to North Africa, Malta, Sicily, Italy, Burma and in Europe. From D-Day to the final defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. Casualties during WW2 were far lower than in the Great War but in several fierce battles at Arras, Mareth, Primosole Bridge and Kohima, the DLI suffered heavy losses.
In Belgium in May 1940, Richard Annand, 2nd Battalion DLI, became the very first soldier of the Second World War to gain the Victoria Cross.
After WW2, The Durham Light Infantry was reduced in size until only the 1st Battalion DLI remained. In 1968, whilst the battalion was serving in Cyprus, it was announced that The Durham Light Infantry would join with three other county light infantry regiments to form one large Regiment - The Light Infantry.
In Durham Cathedral on 12th December 1968, the Durham's paraded their Colours (flags) for the last time. After 200 years of history,
In 2007 the The Light Infantry became part of a new regiment called 'The Rifles' following the amalgamation of them, plus the Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry and the Royal Green Jackets.
Type: Line Infantry
Garrison/HQ : Durham
Colors :
Facing Colour: Dark Green
Regimental Colours: Red and Dark Green
Identification
symbol Within a Bugle Horn stringed the
letters "D.L.I."
Memories of Durham Light Infantry
Durham Light Infantry, Cyprus UN Tour in 1968Written by Trevor Peart
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"210 years of service and many a battle. The last posting of the Faithful Durhams, always remember that year as one the saddest of my career is when we were informed that best regiment in the British Army was to be disbanded, it brought many a tear to every one in the regiment, even our CO was moved to tears, I had enjoyed my best years in Army until then,I had joined in 1966 after spending 2 years as a Junior bandsman,bugler in the 6th Battalion D.L.I. and was my county regiment,most of my family had served with the D.L.I. in most conflicts,during the first and second world wars, so it was with great sadness to realize that I would be the last of my generation to have the honor of serving in the
Durham Light Infantry, and with many good friends, whom I still have contact with today to share the good and not so good times, but to all I served with who remember me I wish them well, and those who don’t must have bad memories, here’s wishing you all well. TREVOR"
Durham Light Infantry, in 1960Written by kenneth (jacko) jackson
Contact this person >> "my proudest moment other than having my own family Was the day i joined the Durhams and got myself a second family and its still my second family. Having grown up in London and leaving it for the first time in my life. This was the moment that changed my life forever and the start of a great love affair with the north east and the Geordies. Also the great mates i had while i served and still have today. Thank you to all you Durhams that served from the beginning to the end. The greatest Regiment and the best you could serve with. "
Durham Light Infantry in 1957Written by John Colston
Contact this person >> "I was in A company and Major Fenner was our company commander, early in January the company went up to the Yemen boarder to sort out the Yemen army who came over the boarder and shot a few Aden Protector Levies. On arrival we set up our base camp and started to remove the Yemei who put up a resistance anyway we attacked the intruders and sorted out the enemy we then took over the fort and held it. next day we were relieved by another platoon. We then went to base camp to rearm to do the next assault but we had to climb up 300feet to take the next objective,we held up because the enemy was pinning us down so Major Fenner radio for air support the two Vampires fighters arrived and fired rockets and also cannon fire and we moved up as the fighters were blasting the enemy any way we got to our objective and took up a defensive position for four days as we could command the valley.
On one occasion i was with Alan 04 and we were on stand to but had to go numbers i said we were on stand to but never made any difference he went anyway the next a shot was fired so up go’s the flares to light the sky and I saw Alan 04 running along the skyline with his trousers around his ankles swearing things about his parents. When he came back to me he showed me his hat comical as we called them with two bullet holes in it, he was lucky that he servived. I think that the hat is now in the Regimental Museum in Durham City."
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Durham Light Infantry
" Can anyone help me find any infomation on my dads army career his N0 23608470 William James Mcgufie of the Durham Light Infantry, between the years of 1954 - 1960 his 2 years national service. Any info would be appreciated. Last edited by Lynda Mcguffie"
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" I don’t know if this website can help,or even if I’m in the correct section but I’m hoping someone somewhere can answer my questions regarding my great grandfather Richard Whitton 1900-1941 who seems to have led a very sad life. He ’joined’ the armed forces in 1918 ..."
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" I don’t know if this website can help,or even if I’m in the correct section but I’m hoping someone somewhere can answer my questions regarding my great grandfather Richard Whitton 1900-1941 who seems to have led a very sad life. He ’joined’ the armed forces in 1918 ..."
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" Got it Ken. Thr Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders were always referred to by us as "The Argyll & Bolton Wanderers" Durham Light Infantry -the DLI - were the "Dirty Little Imps" There are others.Keep remembering. Stan D "
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" Being in the senior service never had much chance to be beguiled by an RSM the one ocassion I did come across one(not literally) was in Hong Kong whilst practicing for a Royal Guard we had to march with the Army boys only problem was totally different timing add to this the Gurkas and the Durham ..."
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