with apologies for lateness due to seasonal holiday

Armed Forces Memorial

The Armed Forces Memorial Project will provide a new National Memorial dedicated to the men and women of the United Kingdom Armed Forces (Regular & Reserve) killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since the Second World War.   It will commemorate some 16,000 members of our Armed Forces.

Construction began on 24 July 2006 at the National Memorial Arboretum.   A ceremony to mark the cutting of the first turf was held on 4 August.   The main contractor on site is Geoffrey Osborne Limited and progress on the construction of the six metre high mound on which the Memorial will stand is currently ahead of schedule.

The Trustees need to raise £7million to complete the whole Project which includes the Memorial in Staffordshire, Rolls of Honour for the Royal Navy and the Army similar to those for the RAF that will record the names of those who have died in Service, and a Memorial in Westminster Abbey, without  names of those killed in conflict.  

£5million has been raised so far including a grant from the Treasury of £1.5million from the sale of the Trafalgar coin and a pledge of £2million from the Millennium Commission.   Further information about how to support the appeal can be found at www.forcesmemorial.org.uk  or from the LI Office, Durham.

The above was found in a Durham City car park after the Remembrance Sunday Parade - it evidently fell off the top of a car as it pulled away. The finders description - “ it has a green woollen plume, a silver disc with the number 68 on it” 

Anyone who identifies it by this description will find the hat/beret at Birtley Fire Station, Durham Road Birtley - the contact there is Susan Tubman on 0191 4441850 or 0775 8609052(m).

Appeal - Horden & Peterlee Branch

Branches may have received a circular from the above Branch regarding their wish to sponsor two members of the family of Tommy Griffiths  to visit his grave in Singapore.  

Pte Griffiths was the last DLI soldier to be killed in action in Borneo and Branches should place this request before their members with or without a recommendation.  

All donations should be sent by cheque to the Horden & Peterlee Branch and addressed to the Secretary : Mr T. Smith 5 St,Bedes Crescent, Thornley, Co. Durham. DH6 3HN.

Colonel John Wykeham

Col. John Wykeham will cease to be Regimental Secretary for the Light Infantry  on the formation of The Rifles on 1 February 2007 when he will take up the post of Assistant Regimental Secretary (Comms/Pubs) for The Rifles. 

After discussion with the Colonel of The Light Infantry it was considered that it would be more appropriate for the Light Infantry to recognise Col. Wykeham’s contribution to the Regiment now - for his long tenure as Regimental Secretary began in March 1992 - rather than when he retires in October 2008.  

As time is of the essence, it is proposed that the DLI Association donate the sum of £25.00 from Central Funds.   If any Branch objects to this please contact the LI Office, Durham, by 15 January 2007.

Future Events

Branches may wish to put the following events in their diaries for 2007:

            a)         25 February 2007 -         Dedication of Plaque to Pte Tommy Griffiths.

            b)         4 March 2007       -         Indoor Games at Fencehouses

            c)         4 October 2007    -         Visit to France & Flanders (Paschendale). (TBC)

Deaths

The Chester-le-Street Branch have reported the death of the following member:

                                                                                                            Tommy Hodgson

MAY HE REST IN PEACE

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29 March 2007