Page 215 - The Bugle 2018

Re-dedication of “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club Victoria Cross Stone 28 July 2018 In the forecourt of Bishop Cossin’s house on Palace Green, the Reverend Kenneth Crawford, Chaplain to the Durham Light Infantry Associ- ation re-dedicated the newly placed Victoria Cross Stone in the presence of the officers of ”The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club, the Mayor of Durham Cllr John Lethbridge, Colonel Arthur Charlton TD DL, Major Chris Lawton MBE DL, the Chairman of DLI Association Major Paul Wharton MM, Lt Colonel James Brown, and Maj Alasdair Watson TD. Parade Commander Mr John Norton paraded seven standards from the DLI Associ- ation, the FIDC Banner as well as the Replica Colours of the 1st Battalion DLI.
Messrs James Carroll and John Adey, Members of the Chester-le-Street Memorial Fund who had donated funds to the project were present, as were many members of “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club, which had raised the funding for the original VC Stone when it was placed beside the former DLI Museum, and members of the Durham Light
Infantry Association, their wives and families. The cost of relocating the stone from its original site was borne by Durham County Council.
Mr Ralph Harrison Chairman of the “The Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club opened proceedings, welcoming the guests, followed by the President Lt Col John Heron TD who spoke of the signifi- cance of the VC stone. After the reading of the VC holders’ names inscribed there, the Stone was re-dedicated by the Chaplain to the DLI Association the Revd Kenneth Crawford. Wreaths were laid by the Mayor Cllr John Lethbridge, the Chairman of the DLI Association Maj Paul Wharton MM, the Secretary (Rifles) Durham Major Chris Lawton MBE DL. The Exhortation was spoken by the Chairman and the Kohima Epitaph by Mr John Norton. The Buglers of the Durham ACF sounded the Last Post and Reveille, followed by the singing of the Regimental Hymn, Abide with me. The Blessing and The National Anthem concluded the ceremony.
After the ceremony everyone was invited into the historic surroundings of the Tithe Barn, the Old Prison Officers Club, at The Hallgarth, Old Elvet, Durham for drinks and nibbles. The buffet was a little delayed but as everyone was enjoying themselves they were prepared to party on until the buffet arrived. At the end of the day a chorus of ‘We are some of the DLI ‘ concluded proceedings and everyone went home after a most enjoyable day.
Chaplain to the DLI Association, Revd Kenneth Crawford conducts the re-dedication service on Saturday 28 July 2018
DLI Association members support the members and guests of the “Faithful” Inkerman Dinner Club on Palace Green
THE BUGLERS OF THE DURHAM ACF SOUNDED THE LAST POST AND REVEILLE
Ralph Harrison, Chairman of the FIDG opens the proceedings in front of the Bishop Cossin’s House
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 221