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About the DLI Association

The DLI Association was formed in 1933 and its membership grew rapidly until the beginning of WW2. As one would expect during those turbulent years, membership stagnated and it was not until after 1945 that membership of the Association showed any significant increase.

Under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Harry Lowe, the Association thrived and a number of new branches were formed. However, when the Regiment was axed under the re-organisation of the Army in the 1960s, and the DLI’s Colours laid up in Durham Cathedral on 12th December 1968, many believed that the Association would go into decline. However, the branches held firm and, far from declining, the Association grew stronger.

This growth can be attributed to the fact that many who had served in the Regiment now felt a need to hold on to the traditions and comradeship they had experienced. Also the DLI Association opened up membership to all Light Infantrymen, including those serving in the newly designated Light Division.

The Association now has 16 active branches, spread throughout the North East of England and much inter-branch activity takes place during the year, including dinners, dances, indoor games and trips abroad to visit old battlefields and war graves. The Annual Reunion takes place in September in Durham City, when about 600 members parade outside the Cathedral on College Green and then, after a service in the DLI Chapel, celebrate in the usual style in Bede College.

Our Aims

The aims of the branch are to maintain the spirit of the Durham Light Infantry and the former County Regiments by:

• Keeping in touch with those who served in all of the Light Infantry County Regiments.
• Providing opportunities to meet with other ex service associations and branches by arranging regular meetings, functions and events.
• Giving assistance where possible and looking after the welfare of members in times of need.

About our Branch

The Durham Light Infantry Association, South Shields Branch meets at the Royal British Legion Club, Queen Street, South Shields on the last Tuesday each month at 2000hrs.

The branch comprises of ex regular soldiers mainly from the Light Infantry County Regiments, but we do have within the branch members from other regiments.

Our Branch President is Lt Col (retd) John Davis and our Branch vice President is Major (retd) Malcolm Pearce.

The branch is run by its members who elect a committee each year at the Annual General Meeting.

current Committee
President	Vice President	Chairman	Treasurer
Lt Col (retd) John Davis	Major (retd) Malcolm Pearce	Mr Robert (Bob) Hall	Mr Norman Dick
Secretary & Standard Bearer	Assistant Secretary	Sports & Social	Welfare Officer
Mr Douglas Mather	Mr Brian Mckeith (MBE)	Mr Jimmy Jordan	Mr Rocky Hunter

If you are interested in becoming a member of the DLI Association (South Shields Branch) please email us on admin@dlisouthshields.org.uk for further information or why not visit us on one of our monthly meetings (last Tuesday of every month 20:00hrs, Royal British Legion - South Shields).

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