- 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War -
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About
9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
The 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were a unit of the Territorial Force with their HQ at the Drill Hall, Burt Terrace, Gateshead, where A, B, C and D Companies also based. E Coy was based at the Drill Hall, Felling, F Coy at the Drill Hall, Chopwell. G Coy at the Drill Hall in Blaydon and H Coy were based at the Drill Hall, West Ryton.
They proceeded to France on the 17th of April 1915 landing at Boulogne to joined 151st Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. They saw action in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, on the Somme in 1916 and at Arras and Passchendaele in 1917.
On the 12th of February 1918 the 9th DLI converted to a Pioneer Battalion and transferred to 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. They returned to the Somme fighting at Bapaume in March and took part in the Second Battles of Arras, the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.
19th of April 1915 Establishing HQs
20th Apr 1915 On the Move
21st Apr 1915 On the Move
22nd Apr 1915 On Stand by
22nd Apr 1915 Into Billets
22nd of April 1915 Germans Attack
22nd of April 1915 Standing by
23rd of April 1915 Under attack
23rd of April 1915 Northunberlands Transferred
23rd of April 1915 Concentration
23rd of April 1915 Divisional Movements
23rd of April 1915 Delays
23rd of April 1915 Urgent Moves
23rd of April 1915 Brigade to 5th Corps
23rd Apr 1915 On the March
23rd Apr 1915 On the Move
24th of April 1915 Reserve Brigades
24th of April 1915 Transfer of Infantry
24th of April 1915 Units in position
24th Apr 1915 Into the Trenches
24th Apr 1915 On the Move
24th of April 1915 Positions of Northumberland Division
25th of April 1915 Counter Attack
25th Apr 1915 Entrenching
26th Apr 1915 Entrenching
26th of April 1915 Confusion
27th Apr 1915 In the Line
28th Apr 1915 In the Trenches
29th Apr 1915 In the Trenches
30th Apr 1915 Digging
1st May 1915 In Trenches
2nd May 1915 Under Shellfire
3rd May 1915 On the March
3rd of May 1915 Orders
3rd of May 1915 Divisional Area Allotted
3rd of May 1915 Orders
4th of May 1915 CinC to address troops
7th May 1915 Ready to Move
8th May 1915 Ready to Move
9th May 1915 On the Move
11th May 1915 On the March
12th May 1915 Heavy Shelling
13th May 1915 Heavy Shelling
14th May 1915 Heavy Rain
14th of May 1915 Thanks from Cavalry
15th May 1915 Digging
15th of May 1915 Concentration west of Ypres
16th May 1915 Digging
17th May 1915 On the March
18th May 1915 On the March
19th May 1915 In Huts
20th May 1915 Working Parties
20th of May 1915 Movement orders
21st May 1915 9th DLI go upto the Front
21st May 1915 Moving Up
22nd May 1915 On the March
23rd May 1915 Front Line Trenches
24th May 1915 9th Durhams suffer gas
24th May 1915 Gas
25th May 1915 Quiet
26th May 1915 Enemy Shelling
27th May 1915 Whizz Bangs
28th May 1915 Reliefs
29th May 1915 On the March
30th May 1915 Church Parade
31st May 1915 Inspection
31st of May 1915 Report
1st Jun 1915 Lectures
2nd Jun 1915 On the March
3rd Jun 1915 Inspection
4th Jun 1915 On the Move
5th Jun 1915 Inspection
6th Jun 1915 Inspection
7th Jun 1915 Kit Inspection
8th Jun 1915 Kit Inspection
9th Jun 1915 Reliefs Completed
10th Jun 1915 Trench Visit
11th Jun 1915 On the March
12th Jun 1915 Company Reliefs
14th Jun 1915 Working Party
15th Jun 1915 Working Party
16th Jun 1915 Working Party
17th Jun 1915 Working Parties
18th Jun 1915 Working Parties
18th of June 1915
18th of June 1915
19th Jun 1915 On the Move
20th Jun 1915 On the March
20th Jun 1915 On the Move
20th of June 1915 Move
21st Jun 1915 Into the Trenches
22nd Jun 1915 Reliefs Completed
23rd Jun 1915 Officer Killed
24th Jun 1915 Burial Party
25th Jun 1915 Machine Guns sent up
25th Jun 1915 In Trenches
26th Jun 1915 Shelling
27th Jun 1915 Reliefs
27th Jun 1915 Reliefs Completed
28th Jun 1915 Guard Duty
29th Jun 1915 Working Parties
30th Jun 1915 Reinforcements
1st Jul 1915 Working Parties
3rd Jul 1915 Reliefs Completed
4th Jul 1915 Almost Full Strength
5th Jul 1915 Rations
6th Jul 1915 Trench Inspection
7th Jul 1915 Ammunition
8th Jul 1915 Enemy Movements
9th Jul 1915 Reliefs Completed
10th Jul 1915 Preparations
11th Jul 1915 Preparations
12th Jul 1915 Working Parties
13th Jul 1915 Working Parties & Baths
14th Jul 1915 Burial Party
14th Jul 1915 Enemy Blow
15th of July 1915
16th Jul 1915 On the March
24th Jul 1915 Reliefs
1st Aug 1915 Battalion to be Re-established
7th Aug 1915 Reliefs
31st Aug 1915 Reliefs
4th Sep 1915 Communication Exercise
7th September 1915 Inspection
9th Sep 1915 Keep to the Last Drop of Blood
12th September 1915 Reliefs
24th September 1915 Orders
24th September 1915 Programme
25th September 1915 Wind
25th September 1915 Orders
26th September 1915 Reliefs Complete
26th September 1915 Reliefs Complete
27th September 1915 Patrols
27th September 1915 Orders
27th September 1915 Orders
28th September 1915 Reliefs complete
28th September 1915 Instruction
2nd of October 1915 Orders
2nd October 1915 Orders
3rd of October 1915 Quiet
3rd Oct 1915 Reliefs
6th Oct 1915 Relief Plan
8th Oct 1915 Reliefs
11th Oct 1915 Attack Planned
13th of October 1915 Orders
16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme
19th Oct 1915 Reliefs Completed
19th October 1915 Ammunition
23rd Oct 1915 Reliefs Completed
30th Oct 1915 Reliefs Completed
1st November 1915 Warnings
2nd November 1915 Ammunition Allotment
3rd of November 1915
4th Nov 1915 Reliefs Completed
4th November 1915 Reliefs
4th November 1915 Orders
4th November 1915 Training Programme
7th Nov 1915 Reliefs Completed
7th November 1915 Orders Issued
7th November 1915 Reliefs
8th November 1915 Orders
10th November 1915 Shelling
12th November 1915 On the Move
13th November 1915 Training Programme
1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets
2nd December 1915 Orders
11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment
11th December 1915 Orders
13th December 1915 Reliefs
13th December 1915 Orders
13th December 1915 Order
13st December 1915 Orders
13th December 1915 Reliefs
13th December 1915 Orders
15th December 1915 Advance Parties
19th of December 1915 On the Move
10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens
16th January 1916 Visit
16th January 1916 Reorganisation
27th January 1916 Snipers, Sausages and Whizz-bangs
29th of January 1916 Machine Gun Emplacements
29th January 1916 Machine Guns
30th January 1916 Snipers
31st January 1916 Enemy Lines
1st February 1916 Enemy Aircraft
2nd February 1916 Aeroplane Photographs
4th February 1916 Reliefs
4th February 1916 Enemy Guns
4th February 1916 Enemy Artillery
5th February 1916 Shelling
5th February 1916 Shelling
5th February 1916 Snipers
5th February 1916 Uniforms
6th February 1916 Orders
7th February 1916 Shelling
7th February 1916 Artillery Active
9th February 1916 Orders
9th of February 1916 Orders
9th February 1916 Artillery Active
9th February 1916 Call Ups
11th February 1916 Warning
11th February 1916 Enemy Active
12th February 1916 Gas Alert
12th February 1916 Quieter
14th Feb 1916 On Stand by
14th February 1916 Bomardment
15th February 1916 Orders
18th of February 1916 Reliefs Complete
18th of February 1916 Less Shelling
19th of February 1916 Reorganisation
21st February 1916 Snow
22nd February 1916 Gas
22nd of February 1916 Machine Guns
23rd Feb 1916 Unsatisfactory State
23rd February 1916 Warning
25th February 1916 Dangerous Wind
26th Feb 1916 Under Shellfire
26th February 1916 Hostile Artillery
28th February 1916 Dummys
28th February 1916 Orders
29th February 1916 Report
29th February 1916 Orders
29th February 1916 Orders
1st March 1916 Orders
1st of March 1916 Bombardment
2nd March 1916 Orders
2nd of March 1916 Attack Made
6th of March 1916 Orders
7th of March 1916 Orders
7th of March 1916 Orders
8th of March 1916 Mining
10th of March 1916 Reliefs Completed
10th of March 1916 Orders
10th of March 1916 Orders
13th Mar 1916 Concert
16th of March 1916 Orders
18th of March 1916 Orders
20th of March 1916 Orders
23rd of March 1916 Reliefs
31st of March 1916 Orders
3rd of April 1916 Orders
11th Apr 1916 Reliefs Completed
20th Apr 1916 Under Shellfire
20th of April 1916 Orders
22nd of April 1916 Gas
27th Apr 1916 Inspection
28th of April 1916 Inspection
30th of April 1916 Stand To
30th of April 1916 At Rest
1st of May 1916 Orders
4th of May 1916 Relief
8th May 1916 On the March
14th of May 1916 Training & Sport
15th May 1916 Brigade Cross Country Run
16th May 1916 Parade
18th of May 1916 Orders
20th May 1916 Boxing Match
20th of May 1916 Orders
21st May 1916 New CO
23rd May 1916 Inspection
24th of May 1916 Orders
25th May 1916 Football
25th of May 1916 Moves
25th of May 1916 Moves
27th of May 1916 Reliefs
8th Jun 1916 Reliefs Completed
14th Jun 1916 Reliefs Completed
20th Jun 1916 Reliefs Completed
26th Jun 1916 Reliefs
2nd Jul 1916 Reliefs Completed
19th Jul 1916 Reliefs
19th of July 1916
23rd Jul 1916 Church Parade
1st of August 1916 Gas
2nd of August 1916 Alert
30th Aug 1916 Practice Attack
1st of September 1916 Locations
1st Sep 1916 Flies
2nd of September 1916
2nd Sep 1916 Wet Day
7th Sep 1916 Conference
9th Sep 1916 Arrangements Made
10th Sep 1916 Moves
11th Sep 1916 Return to Duty
13th of September 1916 Instructions
13th of September 1916 Orders
14th Sep 1916 Stretcher Bearers
15th Sep 1916 In Action
16th Sep 1916 Large number of Casualties
17th Sep 1916 Stretcher Bearers
18th of September 1916
21st Sep 1916 Poor Sanitation
24th of September 1916 Reliefs
24th of September 1916 Orders
25th of September 1916 Attacks
27th of September 1916 Instructions
28th of September 1916 Reliefs
28th of September 1916 Attacks Made
29th of September 1916
29th of September 1916 Orders
29th of September 1916 Orders
30th of September 1916 Patrols
30th of September 1916 Barrage
30th of September 1916 Orders Amended
30th of September 1916 Patrols
1st of October 1916 Attacks
2nd Oct 1916 Counter Attack
2nd of October 1916 Orders
2nd of October 1916 Attacks
2nd of October 1916 Reliefs
2nd of October 1916 Orders
3rd of October 1916 Reliefs
3rd of October 1916 Congratulations
3rd of October 1916 Attack
4th of October 1916 On the March
6th of October 1916 Training
7th of October 1916 Training
8th of October 1916 Rain
9th of October 1916 Working Parties
12th of October 1916 Training
14th of October 1916 Training and Working Parties
15th of October 1916 Exercise
19th of October 1916 Orders
20th of October 1916 Working Parties
22nd of October 1916 Situation
22nd of October 1916 Orders
22nd of October 1916 Signals
23rd of October 1916 Orders
25th of October 1916 Situation
26th of October 1916 Orders
26th of October 1916 Orders
27th of October 1916 Situation
28th of October 1916 Orders
28th of October 1916 Appendix
28th of October 1916 Working Parties
28th of October 1916 Orders
30th of October 1916 Orders
31st of October 1916 Orders
31st of October 1916 Orders
1st of November 1916 Thick Mud
2nd of November 1916 Orders
2nd of November 1916 Instructions
2nd of November 1916 Orders
2nd of November 1916 Shelling
3rd Nov 1916 Reliefs
3rd of November 1916 Orders
3rd of November 1916 Reliefs
3rd of November 1916 Orders
4th of November 1916 Secret
5th of November 1916 In Action
6th Nov 1916 Reliefs
6th of November 1916 Orders
6th of November 1916 Intelligence
28th of November 1916
27th of December 1916
1st of January 1917
6th of January 1917
27th of January 1917
12th of February 1917
13th of February 1917
4th of March 1917
28th of March 1916
17th of April 1917
20th of April 1917
23rd Apr 1917 Attack and Counter Attack
23rd of April 1917
24th of May 1917
2nd of September 1917 Intelligence
3rd of September 1917 Intelligence
3rd of September 1917 Intelligence
4th of September 1917 Intelligence
5th of September 1917 Intelligence
6th of September 1917 Intelligence
7th of September 1917 Intelligence
8th of September 1917 Intelligence
9th of September 1917 Intelligence
9th of September 1917 Intelligence
10th of September 1917 Intelligence
11th of September 1917 Intelligence
12th of September 1917 Intelligence
13th of September 1917 Intelligence
14th of September 1917 Intelligence
15th of September 1917 Intelligence
16th of September 1917 Orders
16th of September 1917 Intelligence
16th of September 1917 Intelligence
17th of September 1917 Intelligence
18th of September 1917 Intelligence
19th of September 1917 Intelligence
20th of September 1917 Intelligence
21st of September 1917 Intelligence
22nd of September 1917 Intelligence
22nd of September 1917 Intelligence
23rd of September 1917 Intelligence
24th of September 1917 Intelligence
26th of September 1917 Intelligence
27th of September 1917 Gas
27th of September 1917 Intelligence
28th of September 1917 Intelligence
28th of September 1917 Intelligence
29th of September 1917 Intelligence
30th of September 1917 Intelligence
1st of October 1917 Intelligence
4th of October 1917 Intelligence
12th of October 1917 Orders
12th of October 1917 Orders
17th of October 1917 Orders
27th of October 1917 Intelligence
28th of October 1917 Intelligence
29th of October 1917 Intelligence
30th of October 1917 Intelligence
30th of October 1917 Orders
31st of October 1917 Intelligence
6th of November 1917 Barrage
8th of November 1917 Orders
13th of November 1917 Dispositions
13th of December 1917 Move
18th of December 1917 Intelligence
19th of December 1917 Intelligence
19th of December 1917 Intelligence
20th of December 1917 Intelligence
21st of December 1917 Intelligence
22nd of December 1917 Intelligence
23rd of December 1917 Intelligence
24th of December 1917 Intelligence
25th of December 1917 Intelligence
25th of December 1917 Intelligence
26th of December 1917
26th of December 1917 Intelligence
30th of December 1917 Orders
2nd of January 1918
24th of January 1918
31st of January 1918 Orders
2nd of February 1918 Orders
3rd of February 1918 Orders
10th of February 1918 Orders
10th of February 1918 Orders
10th of February 1918
10th of February 1918
12th of February 1918If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
Want to know more about 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry?
There are:5670 items tagged 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.
Those known to have served with
9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
during the Great War 1914-1918.
- Bell A. W.. 2nd Lt.
- Bowdary .
- Box .
- Boys-Stones R.. Capt. adj.
- Bradford Roland B.. Lt -Col
- Bridge .
- Clarkson Thomas. Pte. (d.30th April 1917)
- Cluff C. D. B.. 2nd Lt.
- Constantine Robert. Sgt. (d.15th Sep 1916)
- Crouch Ernest George. Lt. Col.
- Dixon MM. John. L/Cpl
- Edgar J. H.. Lt.
- Edwards Sydney. Pte.
- Field O.. 2nd Lt.
- Fisher .
- Fisher K J. Lt
- Foster Joseph. Pte. (d.5th Nov 1916)
- Gatherall .
- Gee C. H. R.. Capt. adj.
- Gibson E. S.. 2nd Lt.
- Hall .
- Harrington William John. L/Cpl. (d.16th Sep 1916)
- Haughton A. J..
- Heron Joseph. Sjt.
- Herring .
- Hillery Joseph. Pte. (d.25th Jul 1917)
- Innes .
- Innes MM. Andrew Peel. Pte. (d.12th Sep 1918)
- Jackson Albert Victor. Pte. (d.21st Dec 1916)
- Jameson .
- Jessyman .
- Johnson George Alfred. Sgt. (d.3rd February 1916)
- Jolly .
- Jopling Reginald G. . Pte. (d.5th Nov 1916)
- Kenny John. Pte. (d.12th Apr 1918)
- King W. R..
- Knowles Thomas Smith. Pte. (d.29th Mar 1918)
- Leatherbarrow .
- Little A.. 2nd Lt.
- Luke .
- Mack T.. 2nd Lt.
- Mackenzie Muir.
- Manley Thomas Henry . L/Cpl (d.27th May 1918)
- Marshall MM. .
- Marshall C. A..
- Mauchlin .
- Moody Hubert. L/Cpl. (d.24th Feb 1916)
- Nicholson John . Pte. (d.8th Feb 1916)
- Onslow John Charles. Pte.
- Palmer .
- Plummer .
- Renton William. Pte.
- Ridley .
- Robertson .
- Rowlands .
- Scott Walter Robert. Pte.
- Smales J.. Capt. adj.
- Steel J. G.. Lt.
- Stephens Alexander Leitch. Pte. (d.23rd Apr 1917)
- Stones R. B.. Lt.
- Tasker Francis. (d.14th Oct 1918)
- Torvill William Albert. Pte. (d.9th Oct 1918)
- Wall Herbert John Proudfoot. Pte. (d.21st July 1918)
- Wallace .
All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List
Records of 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry from other sources.
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Pte. Thomas Clarkson 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.30th April 1917)Tom Clarkson was not a conscientious objector but did not want to kill anyone. He still went to war when called up and first joined Yorkshire Regiment. He was then transferred to 9th Durham Light Infantry. He was severely wounded within 6 hours of going to the front line for the first time. Part of his head was shot away. He was transferred back to London and his brother Jack (my great grandfather) visited him but he died on 30th of April 1917. His body was returned to his home and he is buried in Muker Churchyard near to his parents.
Sgt. George Alfred Johnson 1/9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.3rd February 1916)George Johnson served with the 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry.Clare Kelly-White
Pte. Andrew Peel Innes MM. 1/9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Sep 1918)Andrew Innes served with the 9th Btn. Durham Light InfantryAndrea Ward
Pte. William Albert Torvill 9th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.9th Oct 1918)William Torvill was my great grand uncle and he was a private in the 9th Durham Light Infantry. He was born in 1898 in Haxby, Yorkshire and his father was my 2nd great grandfather. If anyone has any more information on my uncle or the name Torvill please get in touch with meKevin Liggs
Pte. Herbert John Proudfoot Wall 9th Btn. Durham Light Infanty (d.21st July 1918)Herbert Wall was the son of James and Mary Wall of Cley, Norfolk; husband of H. S. May Wall, of Salthouse, Holt, Norfolk.Mike Fry
L/Cpl Thomas Henry Manley 5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.27th May 1918)Harry Manley enlisted at Leicester town hall in November 1915 and joined the Durham Light Infantry regiment. He was at the Somme in August 1916. 7th Battalion D.L.I pioneers moved to Ypres and where they were attached to 9th Battalion Durham L.I.Harry was wounded and gassed at Ypres in November 1917 and sent to Endell Street Military Hospital in London. He was sent back to France in April 1918 and posted to 5th battalion Durham Light Infantry at Pontavert on the Aisne. He was killed in action on the 27th May 1918, aged 21. He is buried at Hermonville Military Cemetery, France.
Peter Manley
Pte. John Charles Onslow 5th Battalion Durham Light InfantryThe register for entitlement to the Victory medal and British War medal shows Jack Onslow as and also having served in the 7th and 9th Battalions.Liz Manning
Sgt. Robert Constantine 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry. (d.15th Sep 1916)My Great Uncle Robert Constantine was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1887 and married in 1910. He enlisted at Gateshead before the outbreak of war in 1914. In April 1915, he went to France and fought in the Second Battle of Ypres.Great Uncle Robert wrote many letters home from the war including this transcript of a letter to my Granddad.
Tuesday, 4th Sep 1916. Dear Jim, Received yours dated Aug[ust] 27th . Yes I got the parcel safe. I haven’t seen anything of Will since we left the north and he’s lying a good way from me just now, but they’ll probably be moving further up here when they go into action. Boy we haven’t half been getting put through it lately. We have now been [in crossed out] out of the line about 3 weeks but we are training heavy to take part in the push & I am only wishing the war was finished before we go up, but no such luck, never mind I’ll just have to take my chance the same has all the other boys. I expect you’ll have an idea what part we are at now lets know & I’ll write & tell you if you are right, there's an awful bombardment raging while I am writing this so some poor chaps are going through it hot. I had a letter from Percy & he was telling me about Robbie Rogerson & all the young uns being out here, the Tyneside Irish are down here but I’ve not come across any of them yet. Poor Dougall called up at last & in the dandy ninth, what does he think, I’m afraid they’ll all be wanted out here.
We are getting awful grub just now & I don’t know how I am sticking it & the small place we are in at present you can hardly buy anything fancy 1½ Fr[ancs] (1s/3d [1 shilling and 3 pence, or 6p]) for a loaf of bread & tin stuff is awful dear, sardines 10d [10 pence, or 4p] a tin, same in England for 2½d [2½ pence, or 1p], salmon 1s/8d [1 shilling and 8 pence, or 8p] in England 8d & 9d [8 pence and 9 pence, or 3-3½ p] a tin, eggs 2½d [2½ pence, or 1p] each boxed at that, the sooner this is over & I’m back home the better. I am getting properly fed up & sick of the damn job, but its no use grumbling I’ll have to stick it. Well Jim, I think this is all at present. Hope your let[ter]s have more news. Hoping all at home are keeping well. Remember me to all. With love to all, From your affect[ionate] brother Bob
Lets know if you get the card I am sending you safe, its for Alice. God Bless you all. Cheer up
Robert killed in action on 15th of September 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial near Albert, on the Somme.
Rachel Constantine
Pte. Thomas Smith Knowles 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Mar 1918)Thomas Smith Knowles was serving with the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was aged 25 when died on 29th March 1918. He was born in Jarrow in 1892, son of Charles and Elizabeth Knowles (nee Smith) of Jarrow. On the 1911 census he is listed as Thomas Smith Knowles age 19 Apprentice Grocer is with his parents Charles and Elizabeth Knowles and family at 12 Union Street, Jarrow. He was the husband of Mary Knowles (nee Fox) of 52 Nansen Street Jarrow. He enlisted in Durham.Thomas is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.
Vin Mullen
Pte. John Kenny 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Apr 1918)John Kenny of the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, was aged 35 when he died on 12th April 1918. He was the husband of Mary Ann Saunders (formerly Kenny nee Flowdy) of 82 Burns Street Jarrow.John is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church, Jarrow.
Vin Mullen
Pte. Alexander Leitch Stephens 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Apr 1917)Alexander Stephens died age 34, he had been born in Edinburgh and lived in Jarrow. On the 1911 Census, Alexander Leitch Stephens & his wife Lillie Bennett Stephens (nee Dobson), with their 6 month old son, are recorded as living at 236, South Taylor street, South Shields, his wife's family lived with them. He was age 30 & worked as a General Labourer for a Chemical Manufacturer. His mother Mrs. Davison (formerly Stephens) and Mr. Davison (stepfather) lived at 13 Philipson Street East Jarrow. He enlisted in South Shields. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.Vin Mullen
Pte. Albert Victor Jackson 9th Btn Durham Light Infantry (d.21st Dec 1916)Albert Victor died aged 29. He was born in Jarrow in 1887 he lived there and enlisted in Newcastle. He was the son of Jane Jackson and the late Joseph W. Jackson and the husband of Sarah Ann Jackson (nee McGill). Albert Victor Jackson age 23 Barman is with his wife Sarah Ann Jackson and children at 8 Cobden Street, Jarrow on the 1911 census.Albert is buried in Caterpillar Valley, Longueval and is commemorated on the Triptych in St. Paul's Church Jarrow.
Vin Mullen
Pte. Joseph Foster 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Nov 1916)Joseph Foster was the son of Thomas Foster of 45 Oak Street Jarrow and the late Frances Foster. On the 1911 census Joseph Foster age 15 Colliery Labourer is with his parents Thomas and Frances Foster at 7 Herd Street, Wardley Colliery. He was born and enlisted Gateshead. James died aged 20 on 5th November 1916 and is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery.Vin Mullen
Pte. Reginald G. Jopling 9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (d.5th Nov 1916)My Great Uncle, Reginald Jopling was missing presumed killed after the assault on Butte de Warlencourt, 5th November 1916. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. I wish I knew more.Geoff English
Pte. Joseph Hillery 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Jul 1917)Joseph Hillery was my Grandmother's uncle, from a long line of miners living in the north east of England, based around the Durham, Consett, South Shields area. He enlisted with the territorials in the 9th Btn prior to the Great War, but doesn't appear to have deployed to France until the 20th of April 1915 according to his record card.At some point, thereafter, he was attached to the 171st Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, but further details are sketchy (My Gran not knowing very much and being very ill at present). It is assumed this attachment was because of his mining background prior to the war. Tunnelling was to be his undoing, as from the records I have, he was killed in action 25th of July 1917 during a mining expedition aged just 23, during preparations for the 3rd Battle of Ypres. Being laid to rest at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery.
Chris Harris
Pte. Sydney Edwards 4th Btn. Durham Light InfantryMy grandfather, Sidney Edwards, (born in 1877) learnt tailoring while he was an orphan and this trade and his self-reliance helped him during WW1 too. He was only 5ft 2 ins tall, but joined the 9th Durham Light Infantry when he enlisted at Leyton, London on 21/7/1916 (his service number on joining was 5956 and his regimental number was 301741)He was a Private and was posted to France on 5/1/1917. On 27/5/1918 he was gassed and reported missing. While he was lieing in a shell hole, still very badly disabled by the gas attack, a young German soldier appeared over him and was about about to bayonet him when Sidney threw up his arms and shouted "comrade, comrade". So the German took him prisoner instead. Sid was eventually transferred to a POW camp in Germany.
On arrival at the camp the new prisoners were all lined up for inspection by the Camp Commandant, sitting on his horse. When the Commandant stopped at Sid he asked him where he was from and what he did. Sid answered he was a Tailor from Leyton. While they were talking Sid noticed a small tear in the Commandants uniform and told the Commandant he could repair it invisibly so it would not be noticed.
Sid became the camp tailor and was soon repairing the all uniforms of the very smart German officers and camp guards, who gave him small favours, plus extra rations which he shared with his hut mates. So he became popular with his colleagues and captors! He also slyly told the Germans he needed pork fat in order to "make their seams waterproof" but he, of course, used this to supplement the meagre prison rations of his hut too. So his early days of self reliance and quick wittedness, learnt as an orphan, in another large authoritarian institutional setting, served him very well again inside the prison camp and helped his survival in spite of his very small size. During his time in the prison camp he secretly made a large tailor made Union Jack by hand. When the armistice was declared he raised the Union Jack over the camp, on German soil!
When he was gassed and reported missing his wife was officially informed he was 'missing believed dead!'; so on his arrival back home, after his release, he was surprised to find his name had been included on the Honour Board, at his local chapel, for local men who had given their life in the service of their country during The Great War! However he was able to present, in person, his tailor made Union Jack 'victory flag', from the camp, to the chapel in Leyton in patriotic commemoration of the victory.
After the Great War he went on to become a Master Tailor living and working in Leyton. My cousins still have his medals and old German made treadle sowing machine.
George DeHaas
L/Cpl. William John Harrington 10th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.16th Sep 1916)William John Harrington was born in Bowburn County Durham. He served with the 8th, 9th and 10th Battalions DLI during the Great War He was killed in action with the 10th DLI on the 16th of September 1916 during an attack on Grid trench, north of Flers, during the Battle of the Somme. William was 22 years old and has no nown grave, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and his medals are on display in the DLI Museum in Durham City.T.R.Harrington
Pte. John Nicholson 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (d.8th Feb 1916)John Nicholson was my grandmother's younger brother who was only 19 when killed in action in France.Jo Alexandrou
L/Cpl John Dixon MM. 9th Btn. Durham Light InfantryI have been looking for the records of my Grandfather's military medal and why he won it. I can remember my father telling me that when he was on sentry duty he closed his eyes and heard a click and when he opened them he saw a gun pointed at his head. Who ever it was said you asleep weren't you, of course he denied it, other wise he would have been shot for sleeping on duty. He also told me that he held his brother on the battle field when he died then buried him on the field.Alan Dixon
Lt K J Fisher 9th Btn. Durham Light InfantryLt K J Fisher DLI is commemorated on the Grantown on Spey War Memorial. His name appears under the "Duthil" section. Can anyone supply me with more details about this officer? pp.aanderson@btinternet.comPeter Anderson
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