Dates: 1968 - 2007
The Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Light Division. It was formed on 10 July 1968 by the amalgamation of the four remaining light infantry regiments of the Light Infantry Brigade:
* Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry
* King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
* King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
* Durham Light Infantry
The Light Infantry was descended from the original light troops that formed what were known as ’light companies’ of line infantry regiments and later regiments in their own right. These soldiers were trained to act independently on the battlefield, within the framework of the battle, as skirmishers. In this respect, the Light Infantry shared many characteristics with the old rifle regiments and their descendant, the Royal Green Jackets, with which the Light Infantry formed the administrative Light Division. The Light Infantry though was not a rifle regiment, and the majority of its traditions resembled those of the ordinary line infantry regiments. Prior to 1914 the various light infantry regiments wore the same scarlet and blue full dress as the line infantry, being distinguished solely by their dark green cloth helmets and bugle horn badges.
The uniforms of the Light Infantry as created in 1968 did however have much in common with those of the rifle regiments: dark (Rifle) green No 1 dress tunics, rifle green berets and stable belts and black officers’ shoes. The separate identity of the light infantry was however maintained by the retention of details such as the dark blue trousers also worn in No 1 dress and the red sashes of sergeants.
Memories of 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. "
Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, in 1963Written by Terry France
Contact this person >> "MALAYA
SINGAPORE
THE MEMORIES OF THESE EXOTIC PLACES. WILL LIVE IN MY MIND FOR EVER,HOW ELSE COULD A LAD FROM CASTLEFORD EVER MANAGE TO SEE LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD,,,"
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."
Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, berlin in 1969Written by colin richmond
Contact this person >> "id been up drinking till the early hours we had abig parade i got up got dressed then thought id have adoze iwoke up to a desserted barrack room when i got outside the coy was already marching i doubled onto the parade ground fell in and stated martching sargent mayor wakket stopped the parade came over to me but before he could bolluck me i said do you want me to march or what mr wakket said what or what copl smith to the gaurd room locked up for 2 weeks over chritmas biggest mistake of my life but god bless em all big vozbeki anyone remember him what a guy "
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Light Infantry
" do you remember me charlie turner signalsfirst light infantry serving pontefract then berlin,gravesend,aden,ballykinler. 1964-1971 please get in touch"
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" I am Major General Abdul Wahid Jassim (Iraqi Army - Retired). I attended Sandhurst 1956-58 and would love to get in touch with anyone from Blenheim Company who was there at the same time. I retired from the Iraqi Army in 1984; more recently I have been working as an interpreter for the Light ..."
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" The 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion was formed from the 10th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry in 1942. 7th Bn.(C.O. Lt.Col.R.G.Pine-Coffin) were part of 6th Airborne Div. not 1st A.B.Div.who were at Arnhem. Perhaps you have it wrongly identified as 4th Bn.I know of no other S.L.I.troops who were in Airborne role, either Para or Glider troops. I hope this info. is of some help. "
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" 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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" Can anyone out there help me. I’m trying to find out how to collect a medal i think it’s a service medal.My dad did his national service in the fifties but died soon after, from a disease he caught in Malaya where he was stationed with 1st Bn. The Somerset Light Infantry (P.A)I have ..."
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