Durham Light Infantry
The Durham Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed on 1 July 1881 under the Childers Reforms by amalgamating the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) and the 106th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Light Infantry).[1] It initially consisted of two regular battalions, with the 1st Battalion tracing its lineage to the 68th Foot and the 2nd Battalion to the 106th Foot, and served as a light infantry unit specializing in skirmishing and rapid maneuvers.[2] The regiment's depot was established in Durham, England, reflecting its strong ties to the county from which it drew many recruits.[1] The 68th Foot, raised in 1758 during the Seven Years' War, had a distinguished record including service in the Peninsular War (notably at battles such as Badajoz in 1812 and Salamanca in 1812), the Crimean War (where it earned three Victoria Crosses at Inkerman in 1854 and Sevastopol in 1855), and the New Zealand Wars (1863–66).[2] It was converted to light infantry in 1808 and had earlier participated in the Carib War (1769–73) in the West Indies.[2] The 106th Foot originated in 1839 as the 2nd Bombay European Light Infantry for the East India Company, seeing action in the Persian War (1856–57, including Reshire and Khushab) and the Indian Mutiny (1857–59) before transferring to the British Army in 1859 and being redesignated the 106th Regiment of Foot in 1862.[3] Together, these predecessors brought a legacy of colonial and imperial service to the new regiment, which adopted the Durham Light Infantry title to honor the county's association with the 68th Foot.[1] Throughout its existence, the Durham Light Infantry participated in major conflicts, including the Second Boer War (1899–1902), where the 1st Battalion fought in South Africa; the First World War, deploying the 2nd Battalion to the Western Front and raising over 30 battalions for service; and the Second World War, with the 2nd Battalion earning the first Victoria Cross of the war for Captain Richard Annand's actions at the River Dyle in May 1940,[4] while the 1st Battalion campaigned in North Africa, Italy, and Greece.[1] Post-1945, it served in the Korean War (1950–53), the Suez Crisis, and counter-insurgency operations in Aden, Cyprus, and Borneo.[1] The two battalions were merged into a single unit in 1948, and the regiment was finally amalgamated on 1 July 1968 with the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, and the Shropshire and Herefordshire Regiment to form The Light Infantry.[1]Formation
Childers Reforms and Creation
The Childers Reforms of 1881, spearheaded by Secretary of State for War Hugh Childers, fundamentally restructured the British Army's infantry by amalgamating existing regular battalions with militia and rifle volunteer units to create larger, county-affiliated regiments, thereby fostering stronger local ties for recruitment and improving overall efficiency and morale.[1] These reforms, effective from 1 July 1881 via General Order 70, built directly on the Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, which had introduced paired battalions, localized depots, and short-service enlistment terms to modernize the force.[5] By abolishing traditional regimental numbers and emphasizing territorial identities, the changes aimed to integrate auxiliary forces more seamlessly into the regular army structure, with each new regiment typically comprising two regular battalions, two militia battalions, and associated volunteers.[6] In the case of the Durham Light Infantry, the reforms culminated in the merger of the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry)—a unit with deep roots in County Durham since its territorial designation in 1782—and the 106th (Bombay Light Infantry) Regiment of Foot, which had transferred from the East India Company's service in 1862.[2] This pairing had been established earlier under Cardwell's system in April 1873, when the two regiments were linked for recruiting purposes and assigned to Regimental District No. 3, with a joint brigade depot at Sunderland Barracks to centralize administration and draw personnel from the North East of England.[7] The amalgamation formalized the regiment's light infantry role, inheriting the agile tactics and traditions of both predecessors, and positioned it as the primary county unit for Durham.[3] The resulting Durham Light Infantry was immediately designated as such upon formation, without a numerical prefix like earlier foot regiments, underscoring the shift to territorial naming under Childers.[1] Existing militia units affiliated with the 68th were redesignated as the 3rd and 4th Battalions, while rifle volunteers in the region began integrating as special reserve and territorial forces, emphasizing the reforms' focus on linked depots for sustained territorial recruitment from County Durham and adjacent areas.[8]Initial Structure and Recruitment
The Durham Light Infantry was established in 1881 under the Childers Reforms, which amalgamated the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) and the 106th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Light Infantry) to form the regiment's two regular battalions: the 1st Battalion, derived from the 68th, and the 2nd Battalion, from the 106th.[1][9] Linked to these were two militia battalions redesignated as the 3rd (formerly the 1st Durham Militia Fusiliers) and 4th (formerly the 2nd North Durham Militia), serving as reserve units, while five volunteer battalions—numbered 1st (Stockton-on-Tees), 2nd (Bishop Auckland and Darlington), 3rd (Sunderland), 4th (South Durham), and 5th (Gateshead and Durham)—provided additional part-time forces tied to local communities in County Durham and surrounding areas.[9][10] Recruitment primarily targeted men from North East England, particularly County Durham, to maintain a regional identity and draw on hardy local stock suited to the demands of light infantry service.[10] The process emphasized enlisting individuals with aptitude for agile tactics, including skirmishing, rapid movement, and expert marksmanship, reflecting the regiment's light infantry heritage inherited from its predecessor units.[1][11] The regimental depot was initially established at Sunderland Barracks in Sunderland, where new recruits underwent basic training before assignment to battalions.[9][12] Early uniforms adopted light infantry distinctions, featuring scarlet tunics with white facings and a green plume on the helmet, alongside bugle horn badges symbolizing the use of bugles for signaling in lieu of drums to preserve stealth during skirmishes.[11] These elements underscored the regiment's adoption of light infantry traditions, prioritizing speed and initiative over line infantry formations. Training regimens, shaped by post-Crimean War reforms aimed at improving efficiency and marksmanship, included rigorous drills in open-order tactics, live-fire exercises, and endurance marches to prepare soldiers for independent operations.[10][13] In peacetime, the regular battalions focused on garrison duties at stations such as Ireland for the 2nd Battalion and India for the 1st Battalion, while the depot and militia/volunteer units concentrated on sustaining recruitment and conducting annual training camps to uphold readiness.[1][9] This structure ensured a steady flow of trained personnel, with volunteers providing a pool of skilled reserves for potential mobilization.[10]History
Late 19th Century (1881–1900)
Following its formation in 1881 under the Childers Reforms, the Durham Light Infantry's battalions were rapidly assigned to imperial duties, reflecting the British Army's expanding global commitments. The 1st Battalion, drawing from the lineage of the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot, was initially stationed in India but was soon redeployed to Egypt for the Anglo-Egyptian War of 1882. There, it participated in the decisive Battle of Tel el-Kebir on 13 September 1882, where British forces under Sir Garnet Wolseley routed the Egyptian army led by Ahmed Urabi, securing control over the Suez Canal and restoring order. The battalion's role involved advancing under cover of darkness in a surprise assault, contributing to the rapid collapse of Egyptian defenses despite challenging terrain and artillery fire.[14][15] The 1st Battalion returned to home service rotations in England and Ireland, including garrison duties amid the escalating tensions of the Irish Land War (1879–1882), where agrarian unrest and nationalist agitation required military support for civil authorities to enforce evictions and protect property. This period honed the battalion's skills in internal security operations, adapting light infantry tactics to urban and rural policing amid political volatility. Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion, formerly the 106th (Bombay Light Infantry), began its post-formation service in Ireland before transferring to Gibraltar in 1882. It was then committed to the Nile Expedition (1884–1885) as part of the Gordon Relief Force against Mahdist forces in Sudan, enduring arduous riverine advances and harsh desert conditions in a failed attempt to rescue General Charles Gordon at Khartoum. The battalion later fought at the Battle of Ginnis on 30 December 1885, one of the last major actions in red coats, where it helped repel a Mahdist attack, earning praise for its discipline under General Sir Frederick Stephenson.[1][9][16] In 1887, the 2nd Battalion relocated to India for an extended tour lasting into the 1890s, where it undertook garrison duties across the subcontinent and adapted to tropical warfare amid ongoing frontier tensions. The regiment's time in India emphasized training in colonial skirmishing, marksmanship, and mounted infantry roles, preparing it for future conflicts. Home rotations for the 1st Battalion continued to include Irish stations, reinforcing stability during the lingering effects of land reforms and Home Rule debates.[1][9]Second Boer War
The 1st Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry deployed to South Africa in late 1899 as part of the British response to the outbreak of the Second Boer War, sailing from Southampton on 24 October and arriving at the Cape on 18 November before proceeding to Durban.[17] Initially attached to Major-General Lord Methuen's 1st Division in the 2nd Brigade, the battalion participated in the early western advance, engaging in the actions at Belmont on 23 November 1899, where it helped dislodge Boer forces from kopjes under cover of darkness, and at Graspan two days later, enduring intense fire during assaults on entrenched positions.[18] The battalion continued in this sector at the Battle of Modder River on 28 November, holding the line against a determined Boer defense along the riverbed amid heavy rifle and artillery fire, suffering casualties but contributing to the British consolidation of the position.[18] Later redeployed to Natal under Major-General Sir Redvers Buller's army, the 1st Battalion joined the 4th Brigade for operations to relieve Ladysmith, including the costly assault at Vaal Krantz in February 1900, where it stormed Boer trenches and incurred significant losses of 14 killed and 82 wounded.[17] The battalion remained in South Africa through the guerrilla phase until May 1902, performing occupation duties such as railway protection and column patrols in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony.[1] Elements of the 2nd Battalion, stationed in India during the war, contributed through the formation of mounted infantry companies drawn from regimental personnel and volunteers, which were converted for mobile operations suited to the open terrain and Boer hit-and-run tactics.[17] These mounted detachments supported operations in the Cape Colony, including the defense around Colesberg in December 1899 and January 1900, where they conducted reconnaissance and harassed Boer supply lines under French's cavalry.[18] A Durham Light Infantry mounted infantry company also took part in the Battle of Paardeberg in February 1900, aiding in the encirclement of General Piet Cronje's forces by pinning down Boer outposts and facilitating the investment that led to their surrender.[17] This adaptation highlighted the regiment's light infantry role, emphasizing speed and skirmishing over traditional line formations, which proved effective against guerrilla warfare.[1] Throughout the conflict, the Durham Light Infantry suffered over 300 casualties, including approximately 153 killed in action or died of disease, with the majority from the 1st Battalion's intense engagements.[19] The regiment earned the battle honour "South Africa 1899–1902" for its service, which reinforced its identity as versatile light infantry capable of both conventional assaults and prolonged counter-insurgency operations.[20]Pre-First World War (1900–1914)
Following the Second Boer War, the Durham Light Infantry incorporated tactical lessons from the conflict, particularly emphasizing improved marksmanship and skirmishing tactics to enhance infantry effectiveness in open terrain.[21] The regiment's regular battalions returned from South Africa, with the 1st Battalion redeployed to India in 1902, where it served for a decade until returning to the United Kingdom in December 1912.[1] During this period, the 2nd Battalion, after its own Boer War service, undertook garrison duties that included rotations to Mediterranean stations such as Gibraltar and Malta, maintaining British imperial defenses in strategic outposts.[1] The Haldane Reforms of 1908 marked a pivotal reorganization for the regiment, establishing the Special Reserve and Territorial Force to bolster home defense and expeditionary capabilities.[22] Under these changes, the existing militia units were redesignated: the 3rd Battalion became the Special Reserve battalion, focused on training and supplying drafts to regular units, while the 4th Battalion served as the Extra Reserve for additional manpower.[23] Simultaneously, four volunteer battalions were integrated into the Territorial Force as the 5th through 9th Battalions, providing part-time soldiers for county-based mobilization.[22] These reforms expanded the regiment's structure to nine battalions by 1914, with the depot at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle upon Tyne coordinating recruitment from Durham and surrounding areas.[22] Amid escalating Anglo-German tensions, particularly the naval arms race that heightened fears of European conflict, the British Army intensified training regimens across units like the Durham Light Infantry.[24] Emphasis was placed on rapid mobilization exercises and advanced rifle skills, including musketry courses that built on Boer War experiences to improve accuracy and fire discipline under simulated combat conditions. Territorial Force battalions conducted annual camps focused on quick assembly and field maneuvers, preparing for potential defense against invasion.[22] The outbreak of war in August 1914 prompted further expansion under Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener, who called for mass voluntary enlistment to form the New Armies.[1] The Durham Light Infantry responded by raising initial service battalions, including the 10th through 15th and 18th through 20th, drawing heavily from local mining and industrial communities to reach a total of around 18 battalions by the end of 1914.[1] These new units underwent intensive basic training at camps in County Durham, prioritizing rifle proficiency and platoon tactics to integrate rapidly into the expanding field forces.[22]First World War
The Durham Light Infantry underwent significant expansion prior to the war, enabling the raising of 42 battalions during the conflict, of which 22 served overseas across multiple fronts. The regular 2nd Battalion, part of the 6th Division's 18th Brigade, was the first to deploy, landing at St Nazaire on 10 September 1914 and immediately engaging in the Battle of Mons as part of the British Expeditionary Force's retreat. This battalion remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war, enduring subsequent engagements including the First Battle of Ypres in late 1914, where it helped stem the German advance toward the Channel ports.[1][22] Territorial Force battalions, such as the 1/5th, 1/6th, 1/7th, 1/8th, and 1/9th, joined the Western Front in April–May 1915 as part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, participating in the Second Battle of Ypres that May, where they faced gas attacks and intense artillery fire while holding key positions north of the salient. The Battle of the Somme in 1916 brought particularly grievous losses; the 18th Battalion, within the 9th (Scottish) Division, advanced toward Serre on 1 July, suffering approximately 91 killed and 200–220 wounded in the failed assault amid uncut wire and machine-gun fire. Other service battalions, including the 15th, 19th, and 20th, also fought on the Somme, contributing to attacks around Fricourt and later phases of the offensive. In 1917, multiple battalions engaged at Arras during the First Battle, capturing objectives but at high cost, and later at Passchendaele (Third Ypres), where the 13th Battalion advanced at Menin Road amid mud and shelling. The Hundred Days Offensive in 1918 saw battalions like the 13th and 14th pushing through the Hindenburg Line, aiding the final Allied advances toward the Armistice. The 18th and 19th Divisions, incorporating several DLI battalions, played pivotal roles in these Western Front operations.[22][25][1] Beyond the Western Front, the regiment served in diverse theaters. The 12th and 13th Battalions transferred to Italy in November 1917 as part of the 23rd Division, fighting on the Piave River and at Asiago until the war's end, helping repel the Austro-German offensive at Vittorio Veneto. In the Salonika (Macedonian) Campaign, the 2/5th and 2/9th Battalions arrived in November 1916, conducting trench warfare against Bulgarian forces until the Armistice with Bulgaria in September 1918. The 2/7th Battalion participated in the North Russia intervention from October 1918 to May 1919, operating around Archangel against Bolshevik forces during the Allied occupation. Territorial battalions, including elements of the 1/10th and others, were deployed to India for internal security duties and to Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), where they supported operations against Ottoman forces in the Tigris-Euphrates region from 1916 onward. The 1st Battalion, a regular unit, remained stationed in India (Nowshera Brigade, Peshawar Division) throughout the war, conducting frontier patrols without overseas combat deployment.[22][26] The Durham Light Infantry's widespread service resulted in over 12,000 fatalities among its ranks, reflecting the intense demands of the global conflict. For its contributions, the regiment was awarded 67 battle honours, among them "Ypres 1915" for the defence against gas at Second Ypres and "Somme 1916" for the protracted offensive that summer and autumn. These honours, embodied on regimental colours such as those of the 9th Battalion, underscore the unit's endurance across Europe's battlefields and beyond.[22][27]Interwar Period (1919–1939)
Following the Armistice in 1918, the Durham Light Infantry underwent demobilization, with surviving battalions returning from the Western Front and other theatres to reform in the United Kingdom and abroad. The 1st Battalion, having served in the Third Afghan War in 1919, was posted to the Army of Occupation in Germany at Cologne in 1920 before relocating to York in 1921. The 2nd Battalion, meanwhile, was deployed to Constantinople in Turkey as part of the Allied occupation forces in 1920, reflecting the regiment's role in stabilizing post-war Europe. These duties were part of the broader reduction in military strength, as the British Army implemented economies under the 1922 Geddes Axe reforms, which curtailed establishments and limited most line infantry regiments, including the Durham Light Infantry, to two regular battalions with diminished manpower to focus on imperial commitments.[1][9] Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the regiment's battalions undertook garrison and policing duties across the British Empire to maintain order amid colonial unrest. The 1st Battalion was stationed in Northern Ireland at Ballykinlar in 1925, contributing to security operations during a period of political tension, before moving to Egypt in 1927 and then to India, where it participated in operations in Waziristan in 1929, including the relief of Datta Khel and actions against tribal strongholds. The 2nd Battalion spent much of the interwar years in India from 1920 to 1936, engaging in frontier skirmishes in Waziristan during the 1930s as part of efforts to suppress Pashtun rebellions. In 1937, the 1st Battalion was redeployed to China, arriving in Shanghai amid the Sino-Japanese crisis and later garrisoning Tientsin in 1938 to protect British interests. These postings highlighted the regiment's versatility in low-intensity conflicts, bolstered by the morale from First World War battle honours displayed on colours and standards.[9][28][1] Military modernization shaped the regiment's training and equipment during this era. As part of the British Army's shift toward mechanized warfare, Durham Light Infantry units took part in experimental trials in the mid-1930s, incorporating universal carriers and anti-tank weapons into infantry tactics. The adoption of the Bren light machine gun in 1937 enhanced firepower at the section level, replacing older Lewis guns and aligning the regiment with infantry-wide rearmament ahead of potential European conflict. Amid the economic depression of the 1930s, social traditions provided continuity and esprit de corps; the regimental band performed at ceremonies and public events, while sports activities, including annual athletics meets and association football teams, fostered camaraderie among ranks, as seen in the Durham Light Infantry Association's sports day in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1937.[29][30]Second World War
At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, battalions of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) were mobilized for service with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France, while others prepared for home defense and overseas deployments.[1] The 6th and 9th Battalions, part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, arrived in France in early 1940 and engaged German forces during the Battle of France, fighting rearguard actions before participating in the Dunkirk evacuation in late May and early June 1940, where over 338,000 Allied troops were rescued despite heavy losses.[31] Following Dunkirk, elements of the regiment, including the 11th Battalion, were deployed to Iceland in October 1940 as part of the Allied occupation to secure the North Atlantic against potential German invasion, remaining there until December 1941 when they returned to the United Kingdom for further training.[32] In 1941–1943, several DLI battalions served in the North African campaign with the 50th Division, defending against Axis advances and participating in key battles such as Gazala in May–June 1942, where they helped contain Italian and German forces, and the Second Battle of El Alamein in October–November 1942, contributing to the decisive Allied victory that turned the tide in the desert war.[31] The 8th and 9th Battalions also fought at Tobruk, Mersa Matruh, the Mareth Line, and in the Tunisian campaign, including actions around Medjez Plain in late 1942–early 1943. Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion, after evacuation from Dunkirk, trained in amphibious operations before redeployment to the Far East in June 1942, initially to India, and later joining the Fourteenth Army in Burma. There, it played a critical role in the Battle of Kohima in April–June 1944, holding defensive positions on Garrison Hill against intense Japanese assaults during the wider Imphal-Kohima campaign, which halted the enemy's advance into India.[33] The regiment's commitments expanded to multiple theaters in 1943–1945. The 1st Battalion, after service in the Middle East including the capture of Vichy French Syria in 1941, moved to Italy in 1944, joining the 10th Indian Division and fighting in the Anzio beachhead campaign from January to May 1944, where it endured prolonged defensive fighting against German counterattacks.[1] Other units, such as the 9th Battalion, also participated in the Italian Campaign after landing in Sicily in July 1943 and advancing through Salerno and beyond. In Northwest Europe, the 6th Battalion landed in Normandy shortly after D-Day on 6 June 1944, engaging in fierce bocage country battles and contributing to the closure of the Falaise Gap in August 1944, which trapped and destroyed much of the German Seventh Army during the Battle of Normandy.[31] Home defense roles were fulfilled by reserve and training battalions, including the 11th, which underwent glider pilot training in preparation for airborne operations like Arnhem in September 1944, though this mission was ultimately unexecuted for the unit. Throughout the war, the DLI suffered over 3,000 fatalities, with thousands more wounded or captured, reflecting its extensive multi-theater engagements from defensive withdrawals to major offensives.[34] The regiment earned 18 battle honours for its Second World War service, including "Medjez Plain" for North African actions and "Imphal" for the Burma campaign, recognizing its contributions to Allied victories across Europe, Africa, and Asia.[35]Postwar Era (1945–1968)
Following the end of the Second World War, the Durham Light Infantry's regular battalions were merged into a single unit in 1948, reflecting broader postwar restructuring within the British Army.[1] The 1st Battalion then undertook occupation duties in Germany from 1948 to 1952, contributing to the Allied control of the British zone amid rising Cold War tensions.[1] This period of relative stability was interrupted in September 1952 when the battalion deployed to the Korean War as part of the 1st Commonwealth Division, initially joining the 29th Infantry Brigade after landing at Pusan.[36] During its service until the armistice in July 1953, the battalion conducted defensive operations along the Imjin River sector, including the intense defense of Point 355—known as "Little Gibraltar"—against repeated Chinese assaults from April to July 1953, which overlooked key river crossings and helped stabilize the front line.[36] Notable actions included Operation Blaydon on 22 November 1952, a raid on Chinese positions that resulted in 13 wounded and three missing, alongside routine patrols and engineering tasks that earned the battalion the nickname "Marvellous Diggers" for their fortifications; overall, it suffered 24 killed, three missing, and 124 wounded, with awards such as Military Medals to Corporals Ronald Moore and Robert Lofthouse for gallantry.[36] From 1953 to 1961, the 1st Battalion rotated through deployments in the Middle East, including Egypt where it was stationed in the Suez Canal Zone after Korea, and participated in the 1956 Suez Crisis by being airlifted to Aden on 4 November for potential reinforcement, though most returned to Egypt by February 1957 without direct combat involvement.[1][37] The battalion also served in Cyprus during the 1955–1959 Emergency, engaging in counter-insurgency operations against EOKA insurgents, such as patrols, checkpoints, and cordon-and-search missions in urban and rural areas to suppress bombings and ambushes, as part of the broader British effort to maintain control amid demands for enosis with Greece.[1][38] These duties exemplified the regiment's adaptation to low-intensity conflict, drawing on Middle Eastern experience from the Second World War for riot control and intelligence-led operations.[1] In the mid-1960s, the battalion shifted to Southeast Asia, deploying to Borneo in 1965 as part of the Indonesian Confrontation (1963–1966), where it conducted jungle warfare patrols along the border with Indonesia, establishing forward operating bases, ambushing infiltration parties, and supporting Malaysian forces in operations like Claret to preempt cross-border raids by Indonesian regulars and irregulars.[1] This demanding terrain warfare involved small-unit tactics, helicopter insertions, and close coordination with Gurkha and local units to secure the First and Second Divisions against guerrilla incursions, with the battalion returning to Britain in 1966 after contributing to the stabilization that led to the confrontation's end.[39] Earlier Middle East rotations included guarding the Western Aden Protectorate in 1957 amid rising unrest, involving convoy escorts and fort defense against tribal attacks.[1] The regiment's independent operations wound down under the impacts of the 1957 Defence White Paper, which mandated significant reductions in conventional forces, ending national service by 1960 and halving the Army's size, thereby setting the stage for streamlined structures and eventual mergers without altering the DLI's core commitments during this era.[40] By 1967, final postings emphasized readiness in the UK following Aden withdrawals, marking the close of the DLI's postwar independent service.[1]Amalgamation and Lineage
The amalgamation of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) in 1968 was a direct outcome of the British Army's efforts to streamline its structure following the 1957 Defence White Paper, which reduced the number of infantry battalions from 64 to 49 through mergers, and the 1966 Defence White Paper, which proposed forming larger regiments to maintain efficiency amid further cuts. On 10 July 1968, the DLI merged with the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry, the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and the King's Shropshire Light Infantry to create The Light Infantry, a large regiment comprising four regular battalions; the DLI specifically became the 4th Battalion, though this unit was disbanded in 1969 as part of ongoing rationalizations.[1][41][42] In 2007, The Light Infantry amalgamated with the Royal Green Jackets, the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, and the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment to form The Rifles on 1 February, creating the British Army's largest infantry regiment with five regular battalions. The DLI's lineage and traditions were integrated into this new formation, particularly through the 4th Battalion The Rifles, which perpetuated elements of the Light Infantry heritage; these include the retention of the bugle-horn collar badges, the rapid 180-paces-per-minute marching pace, and specific regimental marches such as "The Light Barque" and "The Keel Row" for ceremonial occasions. County affiliations to Durham were also preserved, ensuring continued recruiting ties and regional identity within The Rifles' structure.[41][43][44] The 2021 Future Soldier reforms further impacted the successor elements of the DLI by re-roling several battalions of The Rifles to adapt to modern threats, including the conversion of the 2nd Battalion to the 2nd Battalion of the new Ranger Regiment for special operations support and the 5th Battalion to a heavy protected mobility role equipped with Ajax vehicles. These changes reduced the regiment's overall footprint while enhancing its versatility, with the DLI's light infantry ethos influencing the emphasis on agile, expeditionary capabilities across the reformed units.[45][46]Honours and Awards
Victoria Cross Recipients
The Durham Light Infantry and its predecessor units, the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot and the 106th Bombay Light Infantry, received 11 Victoria Crosses for acts of outstanding gallantry across several conflicts, reflecting the regiment's tradition of bravery under fire.[47] These awards, the British Army's highest honor for valor, were distributed as follows: three during 19th-century campaigns (Crimean War, Indian Mutiny, and New Zealand Wars), six during the First World War, and two during the Second World War. The recipients' actions often involved rescuing comrades, leading assaults, or holding positions against overwhelming odds, embodying the regiment's ethos of steadfastness.[48] Several Victoria Crosses belonging to Durham Light Infantry recipients are held in the regimental medal collection at the Durham Light Infantry Museum in Durham, including those awarded to Sergeant John Murray (New Zealand Wars, 1863), Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford (First World War, 1916), Private Michael Heaviside (First World War, 1918), Captain Arthur Moore Lascelles (First World War, 1918), Second Lieutenant Frederick Youens (First World War, 1917), and Private Thomas Young (First World War, 1918).[48] Other medals are preserved elsewhere, such as Captain Richard Annand's in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, Sergeant John Byrne's at the Museum of London, and those of Major General Thomas de Courcy Hamilton, Lance Sergeant Thomas Kenny, and Private Adam Herbert Wakenshaw, which are not publicly held but documented in regimental records.[48]| Recipient | Rank and Battalion | Date and Location of Action | Brief Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Byrne | Sergeant, 68th Regiment | 5 November 1854, Battle of Inkerman, Crimean War | Byrne charged alone into enemy lines to spike a field gun under heavy fire, then assisted in capturing another, saving his unit from artillery bombardment. |
| Thomas de Courcy Hamilton | Captain, 68th Regiment | 16 November 1857, Siege of Lucknow, Indian Mutiny | Hamilton led a bayonet charge to repel attackers at the Shah Najaf, personally engaging multiple foes despite wounds, securing the position for his comrades. |
| John Murray | Sergeant, 68th Regiment | 6 May 1863, Waiari, New Zealand Wars | Murray defended a position against Maori warriors, holding off assaults with rifle fire and hand-to-hand combat until reinforcements arrived. |
| Thomas Kenny | Lance Sergeant, 13th Battalion | 4 November 1915, La Houssoie, France, First World War | Kenny repeatedly crossed no man's land under machine-gun fire to rescue an injured officer, carrying him to safety despite wounds. |
| Roland Boys Bradford | Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, 9th Battalion | 1 October 1916, Eaucourt l'Abbaye, France, First World War | Bradford led his company in capturing a German trench, personally killing several enemies and organizing defenses amid intense shelling; he was later promoted posthumously. |
| Frederick Youens | Second Lieutenant, 13th Battalion | 7 July 1917, Triangle Wood, Belgium, First World War | Despite severe wounds, Youens bombed a German position, enabling his platoon to advance and capture a strongpoint. |
| Michael Heaviside | Private, 15th Battalion | 21 March 1918, Moyenneville, France, First World War | Heaviside single-handedly attacked a machine-gun post, killing the crew and capturing the weapon during a German offensive. |
| Arthur Moore Lascelles | Captain, 3rd Battalion (attached 4th Battalion) | 28 September 1918, Selridge Farm, Canal du Nord, France, First World War | Lascelles led an assault across a canal, capturing bridges and prisoners while under heavy fire, turning the tide of the advance. |
| Thomas Young | Private, 9th Battalion | 25–31 March 1918, First Battle of the Somme, France, First World War | Young manned a Lewis gun alone after his crew was killed, holding off multiple attacks and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. |
| Richard Annand | Captain, 2nd Battalion | 15–16 May 1940, River Dyle, Belgium, Second World War | Annand destroyed enemy machine-gun posts and captured 50 prisoners during the retreat to Dunkirk, fighting on despite concussion and wounds. |
| Adam Herbert Wakenshaw | Private, 9th Battalion | 27 June 1942, Mersa Matruh, Egypt, Second World War | Wakenshaw, severely wounded, propped himself up to fire an anti-tank gun at approaching tanks, destroying one before succumbing to his injuries (posthumous). |
Battle Honours
The Durham Light Infantry was awarded battle honours for its engagements across multiple conflicts from the late 19th century to the postwar era, including 59 for the First World War alone.[50] These honours, inherited from predecessor regiments like the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot, as well as those earned directly by the DLI, were officially recognized by the British Army and emblazoned on the regimental colours to commemorate significant actions and campaigns.[20] In the Second Boer War (1899–1902), the regiment earned honours for key engagements, including Belmont, Graspan, Modder River, Paardeberg, and South Africa, 1899–1902, among a total of five specific awards for its contributions to operations in South Africa.[1] During the interwar period, the DLI received unique honours such as Waziristan 1921–24 for operations on the North-West Frontier of India, highlighting its role in maintaining imperial security.[1] The First World War saw the regiment's battalions, including regular, territorial, and service units, awarded 59 battle honours for actions on the Western Front, in Macedonia, and North Russia, with representative examples including Neuve Chapelle, Ypres 1915 '17 '18, the Somme 1916 '18, and Arras 1917 '18.[20] In the Second World War, 41 honours were granted for service in North Africa, Italy, and the Far East, such as Sedjenane, Anzio, and Kohima, underscoring the regiment's diverse deployments against Axis forces.[1] Postwar, the DLI added honours including Imjin River for its stand during the Korean War in 1951, where elements of the 1st Battalion participated in the defence against Chinese assaults as part of the 29th Infantry Brigade.[1] The final honour, Aden 1967, recognized operations during the Aden Emergency, marking one of the regiment's last independent actions before amalgamation.[1] In 1958, the British Army underwent a standardization process for battle honours, permitting regiments to emblazon selected honours on both the King's (or Queen's) Colour and the Regimental Colour, with up to 40 per colour to better represent accumulated legacy without overwhelming the designs.[51] This change allowed the DLI to display a broader selection of its honours, including those from earlier conflicts like the Peninsular War (Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, Peninsula) and the Crimean War (Alma, Inkerman, Sebastopol), on its colours.[20]| Conflict | Representative Battle Honours | Total Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1881 (106th Foot) | Reshire, Bushire, Koosh-ab, Persia, Central India | 5 |
| Peninsular War (1808–1814) | Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, Peninsula | 6 |
| Crimean War (1854–1856) | Alma, Inkerman, Sebastopol | 3 |
| New Zealand Wars (1860–1866) | New Zealand | 1 |
| Second Boer War (1899–1902) | Belmont, Graspan, Modder River, Paardeberg, South Africa 1899–1902 | 5 |
| First World War (1914–1918) | Aisne 1914 '18, Neuve Chapelle, Ypres 1915 '17 '18, Somme 1916 '18, Arras 1917 '18 | 59 |
| Interwar (1919–1939) | Waziristan 1921–24 | 1 |
| Second World War (1939–1945) | Sedjenane, Anzio, Kohima | 41 |
| Korean War (1950–1953) | Imjin River | 1 |
| Aden Emergency (1967) | Aden | 1 |