Page 62 - Bugle Spring 2023

NORTH
The Ld Lt of Durham
Mrs Sue Snowdon accompanied by Lt Col Heron Secretary of the DLI Association speaks
to members of the DLI Association in the Cloister of Durham Cathedral
After many delays the DLI Reunion went ahead in October in the Cathedral and its precincts. Sadly, the traditional ‘Harry Lowe’ weather for the Reunion had deserted
us, and at the parade start-time the rain was lashing down, so the Chairman DLI Association decided that bearing in mind the age of many of the veterans it made sense to hold the event under cover. Instead of parading in the Cathedral Close it was held in the Cathedral Cloisters.
The Parade Commander on this occasion was Lt Col John Heron TD in his final Reunion Parade before retirement as Secretary DLI Association in April 2023 after 10 years, on the approach of his 83rd birthday. He invited the Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon to inspect the Association Members which she was pleased to do. The second rank was inspected by Major Chris Lawton MBE DL and the third rank by
the Mayor, Cllr David Freeman, and Mayoress of Durham, Laura Wilson. All the inspecting officers were able to spend time speaking
in comfort to the many veterans which the weather would not have allowed.
Afterwards commemorative wreaths were laid on the memorial in the DLI Garden by the Lord Lieutenant and the Association Chairman. The Cathedral Service followed in the DLI transept and Chapel, led this year by The Revd Daniel Parkinson, Minor Canon for Liturgy and Learning, assisted by the Chaplain to the DLI Association, The Revd Kenneth Crawford. The reading from the book of Hebrews was read by Lt Col Heron. The names of ‘The Fallen’ were read by the Chairman, Major Lawton, before
62 RIFLES The Bugle
the sounding of the traditional bugle calls of Last Post and Reveille, played by buglers of the Durham ACF Band & Bugles; Capt Jonathan Miller and Bugle Major Derek Corbett.
After the service members of the Association attended the Reunion lunch at Durham City Rugby Club, which was arranged by the Chairman and the
DLI Friend’s Secretary, Pat Johnson.
The Annual Draw was made by the
Lord Lieutenant at the conclusion
of lunch and then the Lord
Lieutenant spoke with great
respect about the recent
funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth
II, which she had attended
and where she had spent
time with our Royal Colonel,
HRH Princess Alexandra. The
Lord Lieutenant proposed
The Lord Lieutenant proposed a toast to our Sovereign Lord King Charles III, which was drunk
a toast to our Sovereign Lord King Charles III, which was drunk with acclaim. She said how much joy it gave her to be with the DLI Association at their Reunion. The Chairman thanked the Lord Lieutenant for gracing the
Reunion with her presence and looked forward to the
next occasion on which she
is able to be with
us.
with acclaim
The Ld Lt of Durham and the Chairman of the DLI Association lay wreaths at the Memorial in the DLI Garden at Durham Cathedral
Maj Chris Lawton Chairman of the DLI Association with The Mayor and Mayoress of Durham
waiting for the arrival of the Ld Lt Durham
The Reverend Daniel Parkinson Minor Canon lays the Durham Branch Standard on the altar of the DLI Chapel in Durham Cathedral
THE DLI REGIMENTAL REUNION 2022