Durham Light Infantry information sought.

[historylover]

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

[Temic]

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 would be only too happy to help you, I'm sure.

[historylover]

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

[Buzancy18]

10th DLI were in 43 Brigade, 14th Division. see http://www.1914-1918.net/14div.htm
Buzancy18

[historylover]

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

[vonni]

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

[historylover]

Vonni - sorry.  What is the WWI board?  The other sites have been very informative.  Is that another one?

Patricia

[vonni]

HI,

It is on rootschat. The link is here....

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,397.0.html

Vonni

[historylover]

Thanks Vonni. (I'm a new girl here.)

Patricia