The VC Commemoration Stone was erected by “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club to record the valour of all the men of the Durham Light Infantry who had been awarded the Victoria Cross.

Every year on the Sunday nearest to Inkerman Day (5^th November) the members of the club, their wives and families, and other former DLI men, as well as a detachment from the LI/RGJ Company of the Infantry Training Regiment at Catterick assemble to commemorate the valour of the Durham Light Infantry VC holders.

Each year, in rotation, the story and citation of a VC holder named on the stone is read out by the President of the Club.  A short service follows, including the playing of the Last Post, a wreath laying, and the playing of Reveille, followed by refreshments in the DLI Museum.

The stone

The main stone is sandstone from Barnard Castle quarry. It is faced with a black plaque bearing the 'For Valour' listing in gold of the 11 DLI VC winners and the place and year dates of their act of valour.

Inset into the face of the plaque are a replica VC and DLI badge encapsulated in glass by The National Glass Centre in Sunderland which also made a time capsule to be buried after the stone was unveiled. 

The stone is situated close to the public access route into the Durham Light Infantry Museum which also houses medals and memorabilia associated with the men named on the unique memorial.

The VC Stone was unveiled by Brigadier Bob MacGregor-Oakford(centre in bowler hat).  Also present with former DLI Chelsea Pensioners was Capt RW (Dick) Annand VC.  Front left is a member of the 68th Regiment of Foot Re-enactment Society.

Inkerman Dinner Club Committee 2001

L to R: Lt Col JR Heron, TD, Ronald Hague, Alan Summerson, Brian Hardman, Robert Scott, Colin Armstrong (Chairman), Lt Col Fred Phillips TD, DL (President), George Fraser (Secretary), Joseph Danby, Colin Rose, Alan Finnigan, James S Wilson, William A Hall

The President, Lt Col Fred Phillips,  Chairman Colin Armstrong and Secretary/Treasurer George Fraser with the Time Capsule

Bob Scott, ready to place the Time Capsule, accompanied by (left) Alan Finnigan and (right) Ron Hague

The stories of all eleven Durham Light Infantry VC holders can be found in the booklet, 'Beyond Praise', by Stephen D Shannon.

This booklet tells the stories of all the Durham Light Infantry VC holders, tracing their personal life stories, giving a description of the campaigns in which they fought and relating in detail the circumstances which resulted in the award of each Victoria Cross.

The booklet, costing £3.50, is available from the Durham Light Infantry Museum or by contacting the Light Infantry Office, Durham - Tel: 0191 3865496 or mailto:licsecdurham@licsecdurham.wanadoo.co.uk