Page 212 - The Bugle 2018

The 8th/11th Bns DLI OCA annual dinner moves to the Gilesgate Armoury, home of D Coy 8 Rifles
Commemoration of the battle of Gravenstafel Ridge 25/26 April 1915
The Annual Commemoration of the Battle of Graven- stafel Ridge took place on the lawns of the College of St Hild and St Bede at the Gravenstafel Memorial in the presence of her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Durham Mrs Sue Snowdon; the College Vice Principal, Laura Todd; Mr Michael Langelier BEM Chairman and Kenneth Suddes Secretary of the 8th & 11th Battalions DLI Old Comrades Association as well as many of their members. This ceremony commemorates the presence of former students of the then Bede College who formed Bede Contingent of the 8th Bn DLI which fought 25/26 April 1915 alongside 13th Bn of 1st Canadian Division in the second battle of Ypres, sustaining grievous casualties on the Gravenstafel Ridge after the French territorial and Algerian troops on their left had withdrawn in chaos following a German gas attack leaving the DLI and the Canadians to defend dangerously exposed salient.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Rifles
Secretary (Durham) Major Chris Lawton MBE DL, Chairman DLI Association Major Paul Wharton MM, staff and students of the college, including Elliott Mather President of the Students Representative Council and a his deputy Josh Hart. The Commem- orative wreath was laid by Lt Col John Heron TD, who spoke the words of the Exhortation. After the Commemoration, conducted by the Chaplain to the DLI Association The Revd Kenneth Crawford, and the College Chaplain The Revd Timothy Ferguson, assisted by students of the college, everybody repaired to the Caedmon Hall where the Band & Bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force, which had played for the Service under their Director of Music Major Colin Miller (RIFLES), played a Musical Retreat. After the playing of ‘Sunset’ and ‘No More Parades Today’, invited guests attended a buffet in the Collier Room of the college, while members of the Old Comrades Association and their guests climbed the hill to the Gilesgate Armoury for their Annual Dinner.
Special Recognition Award for Tommy Nicholson, Secretary Gateshead and Newcastle Branch DLI Association
The Association congratulates Mr Tommy Nicholson, Secretary of the Gateshead & Newcastle Branch on the Special Recognition Award he received for his work towards the Gateshead Community. The Gateshead Awards, presented annually by the Mayor of Gateshead, celebrate all those who have made a real difference to the lives of others in the borough. The Gateshead Award recognises the hard work and dedication of volunteers, carers and everyone else who goes out of their way to make the borough a better place to live, work and visit.
Alongside is a picture of Tommy with other members of the Gateshead Community who received Awards at the Presentation.
Dedication of a commemorative bench in Red Mall in The Metrocentre
Red Mall in the Metro-
centre rang with the
sounds of the Bugles
of Durham Army Cadet
Force as a memorial seat
sponsored by the North
East War Memorials
Project was unveiled.
Veterans from a number
of North East Regiments
bright with medals on
their chests paraded
with their Association
standards for the dedication which was conducted by the Metrocentre’s own Chaplain, the Revd Lyn Jamieson. A seat, of black metal, with symbols of conflict but also with two white doves of peace, was unveiled and revealed to stand in Red Mall to remind shoppers and veterans alike of the sacrifices made by their comrades and community in the First World War, the centenary of the end of which comes later this year. After a Welcome Address and Introduction, the Rev Canon Lyn Jamieson, dedicated the seat. The Chair of the NE War Memorials Project, Janet Brown, spoke of the work of the Project which has in its care hundreds of War Memorials in the Northern Area of which this seat is now one. After the singing of ‘Abide with me’ a wreath was placed on the bench by the Deputy Mayor of Gateshead, the Exhortation by a veteran of the 101 Regt Royal Artillery. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Buglers from the Durham ACF Band and Bugles, while represent- atives from a number of branches of the DLI Association were in attendance to give their support.
Tom Nicholson receives
his “Special Recognition Award” from the Gateshead Armed Forces Veterans Association
218 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES