The Durham Light Infantry Collection contains over 15,000 objects spanning the entire history of the Durham Light Infantry regiment from 1758 to 1968. It is currently housed at various sites in County Durham but plans are underway to rehome it in the new Durham History Centre opening in 2023. The collection includes uniforms, medals, weapons, and other artifacts that tell the stories of those who served in the DLI and witnessed major events such as the Crimean War, World Wars I and II, and other conflicts.

1. Since 2016 the Durham Light Infantry Collection, owned by the Trustees of the
Former Durham Light Infantry, has been housed in the Study and Research
Centre at Sevenhills, Spennymoor with objects on display at various sites across
County Durham. Exciting plans to rehome the collection in the brand-new
Durham History Centre at Mount Oswald are currently underway with a projected
opening in 2023.
The Durham Light Infantry Collection holds more than 15,000 objects spanning
the entire period of operations beginning with the formation of the 68th Regiment
of Foot in 1758 and the creation of the Durham Light Infantry in 1881 serving in
Crimea, New Zealand and South Africa. The DLI fought in every major battle of
the First World War and every major theatre of war in the Second World War,
later serving in Korea, Cyprus, Germany and Borneo before merging with The
Light Infantry in 1968.
Every object in the Durham Light Infantry Collection is significant, but what
makes one object more significant, interesting or worthy of display than another?
Here are just eight objects and the stories they tell us about those who served in
the DLI.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Former Durham Light Infantry Regiment and the DLI Collection.

2. This Officer's Grenadier Cap is the oldest known
surviving item of uniform worn by the Durham Militia
and one of the oldest objects in the Durham Light
Infantry Collection. It belonged to Crosier Surtees of
Redworth Hall, one of the first Officers commissioned
by the Earl of Darlington when the regiment was formed
in 1759. The Durham Militia was a forerunner of the
DLI.
It was particularly important for volunteer and militia
regiments to have a uniform. It created a sense of
shared identity amongst the enlisted men. The uniform
was a visual reminder of their responsibilities and
encouraged discipline and allegiance.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Former Durham Light Infantry Regiment and the DLI
Collection.

3. Ensign Severus Stretton, 68th Light
Infantry, was severely wounded by
two musket balls at the Battle of
Vittoria (Spain) in 1813.
The first was removed from his right
hip within days. This musket ball,
seen here beneath an image of
Stretton as a young man, lodged
near his spine where despite
several operations it remained for
55 years.
When it was finally removed in
1869 Stretton, by now retired, kept
it as a souvenir.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Former Durham
Light Infantry Regiment and the DLI Collection.

4. This 1885 kettle-shaped
port cup was used at mess
dinners and placed in front
of whoever told the tallest
story.
It is inscribed ‘You take the
kettle’ and shows a lighter
side to the military whose
social traditions helped
them form the close bond
necessary to fight alongside
each other.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the
Former Durham Light Infantry Regiment and the DLI
Collection.

5. This souvenir card was created by Roland Boys Bradford shortly
before his death in 1917 as a gift to the men who served under
his command. During the First World War Bradford achieved
fame due to his exemplary military career. He was awarded the
Military Cross in 1915 and the Victoria Cross in 1916. At 25 years
old he became the youngest General in the British Army.
It was the love and respect he shared with his men that made him
such a highly regarded figure. He encouraged his men to sing the
regimental hymn Abide With Me every night at sundown to remind
them that even in their loneliest moments, they were never alone.
After his death in 1917 many of the 10,000 copies of this
keepsake remained on display in houses across County Durham
as a reminder of the heroism and spirit of brotherhood found in
the DLI.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Former Durham Light Infantry Regiment and the DLI Collection.

6. This cross-shaped pendant
is a lovely example of First
World War trench art
where beautiful objects are
created from bullets, shell
cases and other items of
destruction.
Stanley Allan, from
Durham, made this
pendant from a German
bullet and gifted it to
Kathleen, his wife.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the
Former Durham Light Infantry Regiment and the DLI
Collection.

7. 'The Wakenshaw Gun’ has become a memorial to Private
Adam Herbert Wakenshaw who lost his life defending it.
On 27th June 1942, at Mersa Maturh, North Africa every
member of this 2-pounder anti-tank gun’s team was killed
or injured. Wakenshaw, having lost his arm, managed with
the help of Eric Mohn to load and fire five more rounds.
After a German shell explosion killed Mohn and threw
Wakenshaw from his position he returned to his post and
loaded one final round before succumbing to wounds.
For his bravery Private Wakenshaw was awarded the
Victoria Cross. The gun initially stood by Private
Wakenshaw’s grave in North Africa, however, along with
the final unfired round, is now on display at Sevenhills. It
remains a memorial to Wakenshaw and his heroic actions.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Former Durham Light Infantry Regiment and the DLI Collection.

8. Thomas Young of County Durham was 19 when he joined the 9th
Battalion of the DLI in 1914.
In 1918 he was awarded this Victoria Cross for his gallant deeds as a
stretcher-bearer in France. During the six days of the Defence of
Bucquoy Young, on nine separate occasions, entered the front lines in
broad daylight and under heavy fire to rescue the wounded. Those too
badly wounded to be moved he dressed under harassing fire before
carrying them single-handedly to safety.
After the war he returned to his job as a miner and was married in 1920.
He is remembered by his grandson John as a modest man who was
'one of the lads’, he was generous and loved his whippets.
This is only one of the many stories told by the DLI’s medal collection.
The medals are a physical reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of
those who served.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Former Durham Light Infantry Regiment and the DLI Collection.

9. For hundreds of years infantry
regiments have been presented
by the monarch with a stand,
comprised of two Colours. The
Colour with the union flag
celebrates loyalty to the Crown
and the regimental Colour,
loyalty to and the honour of the
regiment.
This King’s Colour of the 9th
Battalion of the Durham Light
Infantry is decorated with First
World War battle honours. It was
laid to rest in St. Mary’s Church,
Gateshead but was fire-
damaged in the 1970s. It was
conserved, framed and donated
to the Durham Light Infantry
Collection.
Colours are highly respected,
representing regimental honour
as well as every member who
served in the regiment.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Former Durham Light
Infantry Regiment and the DLI Collection.

10. This is only a small selection of
stories from the Durham Light
Infantry Collection. You can visit
www.durham.gov.uk to find out
more, submit enquiries and book an
appointment to view objects from the
collection.
It is by caring for the collection,
preserving and recounting the
stories of soldiers, that we create a
shared identity and emotional
connection to those who served in
this historic regiment.
© Reproduced with the permission of the Trustees of the Former Durham Light
Infantry Regiment and the DLI Collection.