The Durham Light Infantry Friends are volunteering at The Story on the last Thursday of every month.
Why not drop in this Thursday 24th April, between 10:00-14:00 and have a chat with this extremely knowledgeable, passionate and friendly group. The DLI Friends is a charity run for, and by people who support and work with the DLI Collection.
Please note we can only assist with research about the DLI as we don’t have Full access to other Regiments records.
The meeting will take place on Saturday 12th April at 11:00 am at Plawsworth Hall, Plawsworth Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham, DH2 3LD.
The AGM is open to all current DLI Friends. Please make every effort to attend.
The medals awarded to Colonel Sir Thomas Bradford – the eldest of four North East brothers who all fought with valour in the First World War – are now back in his home county, thanks to the vigilance of The DLI Friends member Sid Patterson.
Sid is a keen collector of medals and has a vast knowledge of the Durham Light Infantry. He recently spotted the medals for sale on a London Auction site (they have been sold several times over the years) and it was flagged up to the Trustees of the Regimental and Chattels Charity of The Former Durham Light Infantry.
The Trustees bought the medals at the auction and have presented them to Durham County Councils culture and heritage venue, The Story, for safe keeping.
The Story is home to the DLI Collection and Archive, and the acquisition means the medals have been united with other gallantry awards, objects and archives relating to the Bradford brothers. This includes the Victoria Cross presented to Brigadier General Roland Boys Bradford VC and the Death Penny of Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford MC, both of which are on display in The Story’s free exhibition space.
These items are a record of the Bradford brothers’ heroic actions during the First World War, but they are also a poignant reminder of a family’s tragic loss. Thomas was the only brother to survive the conflict. Both Roland and James, who also served in the DLI, and their other brother, Lieutenant Commander George Nicholson Bradford VC, who served in the Royal Navy, were killed in action.
Raised in Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, the ‘Fighting Bradfords’ are believed to be the most decorated family of the First World War, with two Victoria Crosses, one Distinguished Service Order, two Military Crosses and three Mentions in Despatches between them.
All items relating to the Bradford brothers under The Story’s care are available to view in the venue’s Collections Search room by appointment.
Well spotted Sid!
Sid Patterson from The DLI Friends recently discovered and successfully bid, on behalf of the DLI Friends for the document below.
The document is signed by Lieutenant Malby Brabazon on 26th February 1777 in Strabane, Ireland for the supply of 10 men for the use of his Majestys 68th Regiment of Foot.
The Receipt was accepted into the DLI Collection on 6th February 2025 where it joined other early 68th Regiment documents which include:-
A copy of a list of officers of the 68th Regiment of Foot, Jersey, Channel Islands, 1755 – 1758
A statement of the parade state of the 68th Regiment of Foot, commanded by Colonel John Lambton, as it embarked at Cowes, Isle of Wight, 23 July 1758 and Several officer commissions for 1760.
