Page 59 - Bugle Issue 18 Auntumn 2021

Durham County Council pays its respects to HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh
Major Lawton, as one of the Lord Lieuten- ant’s Deputy Lieutenants, stood in for The Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon and spoke about the life of HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh. Cllr Katie Corrigan, Chairman of the Council and The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Durham, John Hewitt, Interim Chief Executive, Durham County Council were in attendance. Major Lawton said that His Royal Highness had been an important figurehead for our country, playing a prominent part during times of great social change in many aspects of national life.
In addition, he was a distinguished, decorated veteran of World War 2. A remark- able man of many talents, known for his
In the years before WW1 students at Bede had been encouraged to enrol as members of the college Volunteer Rifle Company attached to 8th Bn DLI. Around 102 of them were serving in the Bede Coy of 8 DLI when it went to war, their first and only action being on the Gravenstafel Ridge near Ypres on 25/26 April 1915, alongside the Canadians, when they were thrown in against the German Army. The French having retreated in disorder when attacked with gas. The
unit suffered numerous deaths, many wounded, a number taken POW, but only a small number survived the action to re-join. The battle is commemorated every year at the college war memorial by the College, the Old Comrades of 8/11th Bns DLI, the DLI Association, and the Durham Army Cadet Force Band & Bugles.
The commemoration of the battle was held on 24 April at the college war memorial in a much-reduced format. Due to the restrictions of Social Distancing, at the War Memorial at
passion for the skills of science, engineering design and art, who will be remembered for his dedication to the military, his promotion of the Outward-Bound Trust, the World Wildlife Fund, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the encour- agement of sport, the welfare and encourage- ment of young people and much more. The Duke of Edinburgh will be remembered with great affection for his sense of humour, his energy, zest for life, and a lifetime of devoted public service, but above all for his unwavering devotion, commitment, and steadfast support to Her Majesty the Queen. Cllr Katie Corrigan then led the One Minute’s Silence in respect of HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh.
Hild-Bede are (l to r) Mr Steve Coad, Maj Mike van der Gucht, Lt Col John Heron, Bugle Major Derek Corbett, Major Chris Lawton, Mr Pat Greenan, Revd Tim Ferguson, Bugler Derek Corbett.
Also present was the Lord Lieutenant
of County Durham Sue Snowdon, who laid
a wreath alongside that representing the Durham Light Infantry by the Chairman DLI Association Major Chris Lawton MBE DL. The College of St Bede & St Hild was represented by the Principal Dr Simon Forrest. The service was arranged by the college Chaplain Revd Tim Ferguson assisted by the DLI Association Secretary Lt Col John Heron who spoke
some words of Lawrence Binyon from his poem For the Fallen. The bugle calls were sounded by Durham ACF Bugle Major WO1 Derek Corbett. Branch Standards from Ryhope & Silksworth and Durham Branches were carried by Mr Steve Coad and Mr Pat Greenan. Also present was the Vice Chairman DLI Asso- ciation Maj Mike van der Gucht and Mr Ralph Harrison Chairman of the 8/11th Bns DLI OCA. The ceremony was followed by a short drinks party provided by the college, which was held on the terrace and which might have gone
on for longer had the weather been a little warmer.
NORTH
Branches of the Durham Light Infantry Association paying respect on the occasion of
The Funeral of HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh
BATTLE OF GRAVENSTAFEL RIDGE COMMEMORATION