For many of us, the 1st step at Bodmin. Courtesy John Billett
1950s Bodmin nostalgia. Courtesy John Billett
Remembrance Day November 2010
Remembrance Day November 2010
The Warrilow Collection: entitled 'the boys' 1 Platoon (maybe) Sjnt Bert Love. 2Lt Middleton (?)
DLI. Band & Bugles, 1st and 2nd Battalions, Durham 1950
Photo above: Photo: Courtesy Tom Howell: Relates to 1st and 2nd Battalions DLI proceeding to Durham Cathedral to lay up the Colours on 9 July 1950. Band and Bugles are heading the parade lead by my uncle, Bugle Major Albert Shippen (RIP ). Note this pre-dated the re-introduction of No. 1 Dress. The battalions do appear to be wearing battledress and berets – probably khaki rather than LI green.
3 Platoon A Company 1DCLI. Prospect Garrison Bermuda July 1954
Photo montage of Truro LI Assn Members and wives at the Cassino Dinner Newquay, June 2009
Site Revision 9th July 2010: A British Army Light Infantry Blog site for comments related to anyone with a LI background or connection for as far back as you sensibly feel a living individual or living relatives will reply. The main focus however, is centered on the period 1DCLI 1953 – 1957, the service window for many Contributors.
Additional websites, published by the Editor, Derek Lovemore in Brisbane Australia, that relate to 1DCLI, “A” Company 1954 -1957 particularly, but also to other LI Regiments, are shown and hotlinked in the right hand column. Click to open to either view or post a particular blog comment. Similarly, click on any selection from the above blog “Titles” to transfer to your respective choice for comment. This entire site has undergone a downsizing due to waning participation, but some blog pages remain open however to permanently record Regimental News, in particular the DCLI Memoriale page, that will accept updates for Mentions of passing Old Mates.
WYSIWYG at Page Titling above is now – generally – how this site will look. New Pages have been opened (“E” Coy & “The Rifles”) and in due course might expand into other ‘sub’ pages that will be self explanatory.
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” Ralph Waldo Emerson
L to R: Mark Ware, Bugler DCLI, SCLI. Rex Brain, DCLI SCLI. Terry Joll, DCLI, SCLI, KSLI, LI. Pete Slade, SLI, SCLI, LI. Casino Dinner Newquay June 2008.
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NOTICE 17th July 2010: These blog pages and editorial content, are the intellectual property of the Author & Editor. Copyright release and site linking is denied unless written permission is obtained. Any earlier approval is withdrawn with immediate effect.
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Life’s strange ‘ennit?
I read a novel recently from which I quote “Our passage through life is marked by births, weddings and funerals, though when you get to our age the last seems to predominate” (Sleeper by Paul Adam, a fine novel).
We Bermudian DCLI’ians must now all at least be in our early ’70’s – some older of course, being regular soldiers with many years service when 1DCLI shipped out of Liverpool bound for the Caribbean in February 1954. Why then do we defer and ignore reference to the amazing highlights of our lives? Don’t know about many of you – but for me – my Bermuda experience was highly influential in my later life. The DCLI gave me adventure, romance, discipline, orderliness, ritual, challenge, rewards and mateship, the list is endless. Since those days I garnered adventurous experiences from all over the planet. Not that I needed the military to instill a sense of adventure in me.
As I reflect now, some 6 months after orchestrating these Blog pages and related web sites, I am ever more mindful of the apathy that pervades lives that are dulled by the lack of challenge. The brain is an organ that requires exercise, memory is rejuvenating in itself. Why wait until death or infirmity envelops our memories and kills off the desire to record history? You “Old Soldiers” out there with breath left in your body – GOYA! and tell it as YOU remember it – don’t leave the partial quote of your life to Jimmy your grandson – by all means get his expertise on the computer to make it happen – but tell it yourself – NOW.
Carpe Diem!
Hi All; This is more of a query than a comment. You may have spotted my memories as regards the old troopships which took many members of Britains Armed Forces around the world in the fifties and early sixties. For most of this I am reliant on my memory which in most cases is fairly reliable. However I have a vague memory of having carried a Light Infantry regiment to Gibraltar sometime during the late fifties. I think it may well have been the DCLI but I can’t be sure. I am sure it was a West Country regiment but as it was some fifty years ago I can’t be 100% certain. Can anyone enlighten me?
Regards John Williams.
PS: Editor 7th Sept 2007
Thanks John. I have a feeling that your memory is accurate. If not 1DCLI then maybe the SCLI. Keith Scudamore, webmaster LI sites will have the answer. May I suggest that you browse the LI Guestbook sites and post a comment there in the interests of all. Keith served in Gibralter in the 1960′s.
Hello
Just come across your wonderful memories of the DCLI Intake of 1953. My late brother Tony Wills, passed out at Victoria Barracks in 53?. He was then flown out to Jamaica. Eighteen months later he returned to the U.K and was demobbed in Harrogate.
Tony passed away in January 93. He often reminisced about those wonderful days in Kingston Town. Is there anyone who can remember Tone?
His surviving children would love to know.
ED: Thank You Irwin, I shall email you with the little info that we have on mates in Kingston during that time. Our condolences to you and his family for your loss.
Ed, Peter (Joe) Tippett passed away on Sunday Last. Joe as he was known to most that knew him well. Joe was CO’s Bugler in the West Indies and Joined the DCLI in Nov. 1953. His funeral takes place at St.Thomas’ Church, Heamoor, Penzance, Cornwall, at 1400hrs 8th May 2008, There will be DCLI Guard of Honour by the West Cornwall Branch DCLI Assn. Goodbye JOE RIP,
Swanny.
ED: Thanks for emailing me about Joe and posting the information to the blog Swanny and also the LI Message bank. Many will remember Joe and will wish to pay their last respects.