Welcome to the DLI Friends
The first items of the Durham Light Infantry Collection were donated in 1924.
The collection now contains over 15,000 objects, 4,000 medals & over 34,000 photographs.
The DLI Friends group was first launched as a registered charity in 1976 to:
“purchase important Regimental relics and research material which may disappear overseas or otherwise be lost to the County, and to help in the preservation and display of the many items in the collection.”
Since those early days the DLI Friends have become much more ambitious and now also help support the education of school pupils about the County’s military links and service.
Join our community of enthusiasts, scholars, and supporters. With your help the Friends will help to safeguard the heritage of the Durham soldier and the values for which he fought and died.
KEEP the memories alive
Help the Collection thrive
The DLI Friends is a charity run for, and by, people who support and work with, the DLI Collection. With the recent opening of “The Story”, the new home of the DLI Collection and other County archives, there has never been a more exciting time to become involved as a DLI Friend
Feedback on our site and services may be given here: Feedback Form
Latest News
Donald McDonald – a proud Durham Light Infantryman!
I first met Donald in 2003 at the Rifles Office, Durham (then, called the Light Infantry Office).
Major Donald McDonald was chairing an editorial team of ex-soldiers who were putting together a magazine called The Durham Bugle on behalf of The DLI Friends – a charity supporting the DLI Regimental Collection. The Durham Bugle was three years old – a new millennium production. I learned that Donald was the Editor, also the producer and that he had a big smile.Kevin Storey, the Secretary of the Durham Light Infantry Association was one of the team and that’s how I came to be there. We were both members of the Dunelm Club in the City.
Kevin believed I should join the team as I had been writing articles for some time for Picture Postcard, a national magazine.
Donald and the others made me very welcome – something I hadn’t really expected as I, initially, felt more like an intruder. I was certainly out of my depth regarding DLI history, never having been a regular soldier or a National Serviceman, and I saw my role as limited to that of helping to improve and develop the look of the magazine. I was happy to leave the content to those with the knowledge!
Donald set out to educate me, though, regarding DLI history, ably assisted by the rest of the editorial group. Before long, I was writing bits and pieces for the magazine. As part of his educational policy for me Donald insisted I went with him to the printer’s premises so that I could meet those individuals in the background who helped make the magazine a reality. This was to stand me in good stead eventually as, when Donald suffered a heart attack years later, I was able to step in and get the magazine finished, printed and distributed.
From the beginning, and particularly during his recovery, Donald was happy to pass on to me as much information as he could and it was an enormous help. His knowledge of the history of the regiment was invaluable, and he had made so many contacts during his military career, and post-service, that we were never short of content. We had an abundance, and Donald liked nothing more than the opportunity to relate a few of his regimental stories.
As the magazine design became more ambitious Donald was happy to leave the layout and production up to me and focus on the wonderful stories that went to print. He was a larger than life character, with a great pride in his regiment and its history and he took huge pleasure in being able to give something back by continuing the DLI tradition of publishing regimental magazines
I’m proud and grateful that I had Donald as a friend – only sad that his final years, fighting physical and mental illness, were difficult.
Donald died on Sunday 25th May 2025.
Farewell friend! You will not be forgotten! Rest in Peace!
Peter Nelson
Chairman DLI Friends
The First in a new series of articles about the exploits of The Durham Light Infantry and its predecessors written by DLI Friend “The Centurion”.
Righting the Wrong – Bugle Major John Gibbons
DLI Friends Battlefield Tour Holland & Belgium.
Between 4th and 9th May three members of the Bishop Auckland Branch of the DLI Association ( DLI Friends) John Rolfe, Ian Brown and Paul Errington travelled to Holland and Belgium for a Battlefield Tour centred on the DLI and their Battles of 1940 and 1944 during WW2.
Initially staying in Arnhem to cover some of the sites of the 1st Airborne Divisions Heroic defensive stand a visit was made to the area around Bemmel and Haalderen in the Betuwe the area between Arnhem and Nijmegen known as “ The Island “ where 6 , 8 and 9 DLI fought to hold Frontline against counter attacks by German Panzer units in early October 1944 suffering heavy casualties in the process many of which are buried in the Oosterbeek Cemetery in Arnhem together with many of the Polar Bears of 49th West Riding Infantry Division who alongside the Canadians liberated Arnhem during the second and almost unknown Battle for the City , Operation Anger / Quick Anger which took place in April 1945.
After leaving the Arnhem area a drive of 2 ½ hours via a stop at Valkensvard CWCG Cemetery which is on the famous “ Club Route “ of Operation Market Garden took us to Gastuche / La Tombe on the River Dyle where Dickie Annand d Coy 2 DLI won the Regiments and the British Armies first Victoria Cross of World War 2. The area which remains almost unchanged from May 1940 was walked to gain a lie of the land and the Battlefield of fields, heavily wooded slopes and of course the river and the bridge across it where Dickies famous action took place. A DLI Wreath was laid at the Memorial to all those lads from 2 DLI who were killed in action attempting to hold up the German advance towards Brussels.
Leaving the Dyle area, we headed to Geel for two days to look at one of the Regiments last major Battles in North west Europe where after 8 DLI forced a crossing over the Albert Canal both the 6th and 9th DLI followed them over to establish a bridgehead and capture the city of Geel. 6 DLI together with tanks of the Sherwood Rangers forced there way into the city but all three Bn’s were counter attacked by German Parachute units, Tanks and Jagdpanthers. Heavy fighting took place which led to substantial losses over the course of the Battle but the vital Bridgehead was held and eventually the Germans withdrew and 151 ( Durham Brigade ) went into reserve.
Visits were made to Battlefield locations and the Cemetery at Geel (Stelen) situated at the Church literally 100 years from where 8 DLI crossed the canal where a wreath was laid at the 50th Infantry Division memorial and then the main cemetery in Geel itself in each location sadly many young men of the Regiment found their last resting place.
The following day the 8th May, VE Day 80th Anniversary we were invited as guests of honour at a service arranged by the local community at Leopoldsburg CWCG Cemetery where Again many lads of the DLI now lie and are remembered. As part of the service John Rolfe laid a DLI Wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice and during what was a wonderful service attended by Belgian Military, local people and children the local Choir sang a number of songs one of which incredibly as it was sung during the wreath laying was the Regimental hymn Abide with Me . The Choir master and the members were thrilled to find out that their choice of Hymn chosen without knowledge of its significance was so poignant and meaningful to the DLI members present.
An excellent few days travelling to some of the areas of DLI Battles that are not often visited as part of the DLI Friends ongoing research into the History of the Regiment.
VE Day 80th Anniversary Bugler at The Story
The Fighting Bradfords
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!
The Durham Light Infantry Friends are volunteering at The Story on the last Thursday of every month.
Why not drop in this Thursday 29th May, 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 Auckland Project
Thanks to a link between members of the DLI Friends & The Auckland Project we have managed to secure a substantial amount of hardwood for The Veterans Community & Enterprise Centre Wood Turning Group at Newton Aycliffe.
We now have a list, complete with links, of historic footage of the DLI that’s located at various sources online.
Either use the information drop down in the menu bar and select DLI online video or follow this link:
DLI online video
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.
