| |
History
The
DLI Association
was formed in 1933 and its membership grew rapidly until the beginning
of WW2. As one would expect during those turbulent years, membership
stagnated and it was not until after 1945 that membership of the
Association showed any significant increase.
Under the leadership of
Lieutenant Colonel Harry Lowe, the Association thrived and a number of
new branches were formed. However, when the Regiment was axed under the
re-organisation of the Army in the 1960s, and the
DLI’s Colours
laid up in Durham
Cathedral on 12th December 1968, many believed that the Association would go into decline. However, the
branches held firm and, far from declining, the Association grew
stronger.
This growth can be attributed to the fact that many who had served in the
Regiment now felt a need to hold on to the traditions and comradeship
they had experienced. Also the
DLI Association opened up membership to all Light Infantrymen, including
those serving in the newly designated Light Division.
The Association now has 16 active branches, spread throughout the North
East of England and much inter-branch activity takes place during the
year, including dinners, dances, indoor games and trips abroad to visit
old battlefields and war graves. The Annual
Reunion takes place in September in
Durham
City, when
about 600 members parade outside the Cathedral on College Green and
then, after a service in the DLI Chapel, celebrate in the usual style in
Bede
College.
|
DLI Association at the
Thieval Memorial 2006 |
|
| |
Aims
To maintain the spirit
of The Durham Light
Infantry and The Light Infantry amongst all ranks past and present.
To keep in touch with
those who have served in The Durham Light Infantry & The Light Infantry.
To maintain the
comradeship which existed in the Regiment and that which now exists in
The Light Infantry & to promote social intercourse by arranging
functions and other such gatherings on a regular basis.
To afford opportunities
of mutual assistance and, in close co-operation with the Regimental
Fund, to investigate cases of distress and hardship and to obtain or
give assistance where possible.
|
|
| |
 |
Membership
The following are eligible for membership:
All those who have
served in The Durham Light
Infantry or The Light Infantry or are serving as Commissioned Officers
in accordance with the London Gazette.
All other ranks who
have been enlisted in or transferred to The Light Infantry as shown in
the records maintained at the Regimental Records Office.
[for details of Honorary
Membership eligibility see below] |
|
|
Other Ranks and ex-other ranks of the affiliated Cadet Battalions who
have been recommended by their Commanding Officer and who have not
served with, or are not now
serving with, other Regiments, Corps or
Services |
| |
Structure
There are 16 branches
of the DLI Association.
The branches are
autonomous and elect their own officials, however, all branches are
subject to the General Rules of the Association and the authority of the
Executive Committee.
Each branch is entitled to a seat on the Executive Committee, which
meets three times per year in
The Rifles Durham Office, Elvet Waterside,
Durham,
DH1 3BW.
The Annual General
Meeting takes place in April.
The present appointed
Executive Committee officials are as follows:
|
|
%20greenback_darker.gif)
DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY NOW
