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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: historylover on Thursday 06 May 10 05:54 BST (UK)
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Over the years, I have made several enquiries to the Durham Light Infantry Museum and received very helpful information. But each reply brings up more questions. Perhaps someone here has information which could assist. My grandfather was a member of the 4th Battalion DLI. I am told these were reserves who became part of the 10th Battalion which served in France.
Why does my grandfather's medal show his Battalion number as 4/...... and not 10/......?
Was being a reserve common practice or just at that pre-war time?
Where in France did this Battalion serve? I would love to know where to put my grandfather's Battalion in the picture when viewing films of WWI.
I would be grateful for any information.
Regards,
Patricia
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I'm sure someone's going to correct me, but your grandfather's number will reflect the battalion that he was initially enlisted in. I also believe that being in a reserve battalion was essentially a holding battalion for training, before joining a frontline battalion. Sometimes battalions in World War One were simply merged simply because of the number of losses a single battalion may incur - although the only mention of the 4th DLI I've seen on the net is that it stayed in the UK. In which case, you would need to be tracking the 10th battalion in France. I understand it was in France from May 1915.
The good people at the Great War Forum (http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/) would be only too happy to help you, I'm sure.
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Many thanks Temic. So good to get help to get this all in further perspective. It was my understanding also that the 4th did not serve overseas. I will definitely look into the Great War Forum for further information on where the 10th battalion served. Thankyou. Patricia
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10th DLI were in 43 Brigade, 14th Division. see http://www.1914-1918.net/14div.htm
Buzancy18
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Thankyou for that Buzancy. I'll read that in depth too.
I'm attaching a photograph for further interest. This photograph of my grandfather was said in the family to have been taken in the Black Forest. I cannot see that this could be true, but perhaps Delville Wood could be possible. Perhaps it could even have been taken before embarkation - of each member of the battalion?
Perhaps others have similar photographs and have better knowledge of its location. Is that a milestone on the ground - a battalion badge?
Regards,
Patricia
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HI Patricia,
I have just had some great help off the WW1 board...I have been researching the 5th DLI and someone helped me track down the 5th DLI war diaries at the national archives....
The 5th DLI were part of another divission but they maintained a war diary for the 5th DLI despite that... I have been able to track down some information on how my Great 'uncle' was probably injured.
I would definitely link this thread to the WW1 board.
Good luck
Vonni
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Vonni - sorry. What is the WWI board? The other sites have been very informative. Is that another one?
Patricia
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HI,
It is on rootschat. The link is here....
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,397.0.html
Vonni
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Thanks Vonni. (I'm a new girl here.)
Patricia
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No Probs :D
They know all sorts on that board....v useful
Hope it helps
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Hi, have you also checked to see if you can find his WW1 service records? I found my grt grandad's and they can sometimes be interesting though not all have survived, I got them through Ancestry.co.uk if you havent already tried there? I found out he was drunk whilst on duty in Malta and was demoted!!!
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Thanks AnnabelleH. I'm in the process of trying to work through all the sources available. They're all new to me. And all that terminology! I hope something exists. I'm not expecting there to be though.
Regards,
Patricia
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;)
Hi,
Ive just found this forum purely by chance. My great grandfather, Tom Stoddart served in the 10th Service Battalion, service number 119413. I did a ton of work years ago to pre-empt a trip to Belgium and France to trace his footsteps to where he was shot, wounded and discharged near Hellfire Corner in 1917 just outside of Ypres.
A book which aided me greatly was entitled "into battle" by EW Parker. I think this is still in print and it is essentially a diarised account from a chap who served with the 10th. Well worth hunting out.
I also have a very, very rare copy of the entire service records of the 10th which a book which I managed to pick up in the Shell hole book store in Ypres for an incredible £75, current market value is vastly more than that so whilst not for loan I may well be able to help you out if you can give me some specific information.
I also belive that Durham County Libraries have one in group which is able to be accessed under supervision. Like I say, very rare and very valuable indeed.
Havent got much time to chat at moment but will try to help you out.
Cheers
Tony
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Hello Tony. Unfortunately I have very little information on my grandfather, Robert Winter. We have his medals, his service number, his photograph and a copy of his medal card. I now know he served in France. He may have been wounded, and was gassed - but I don't know when. If I knew when he was gassed, I might know in which battle and could concentrate my investigation. I have not been able to learn anything there, to date. He rose to Corporal. I know very little else. I could enquire about his service records, but I am not hopeful that they will still exist.
Jim Smithson from the Great War Forum has e-mailed me copies of the Battalion diary for April 1917 which added perspective to my understanding. You may find it of interest to contact him yourself. I have his e-mail address if you are interested. This site - Rootschat - also has a WWI Forum which may be of interest to you.
The book you purchased was quite a find. I wasn't aware that there was also a diary by a member of the 10th DLI. So, unfortunately, while you may not be able to help with any advancement on these few known details of my grandfather's service, you have been most helpful regarding the books, which I will now seek out. Thankyou very much for this assistance.
P.S. I have been able to order the diary of Edwin W. Parker. Thankyou for this lead. I had long sought diary information from soldiers.
Patricia
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Hi,
glad Ive been of help sofar. You may be pleasantly surprised if your enquire for copies of his service record, I managed to get copies. Apparantley a lot of the records were terminally damaged during a bombing raid in WW2. You never know you may be lucky.
I will check out the book I have with his name and see if anything comes back.
What I have is essentially a compilation of the officers service diary entries from the war relating to the service battalions which was printed in 1920 so still very fresh.
It is entitled, "The Durham Forces in the Field 1914 - 1918, Vol 2, The service battalions of the Durham Light Infantry" by Wilfred Miles"
Whilst I have an original hardback period copy you can actually purchase papaerback reprints from Amazon. An essential purchase for you I suspect??
Will come back to you
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I've been tempted to enquire re Service Records, but having to pay without guaranteed results had made me reluctant. Others have kindly checked on Ancestry.com's records for me, without result.
I will look into Wilfred Miles' book also. Thankyou for that further information.
Patricia
P.S. Wilfred Miles' book ordered. Thankyou for this lead also.