How do I find army service records?
You can request your military records in any of these ways:
- Mail or fax a Request Pertaining to Military Records (Standard Form SF 180) to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).
- Write a letter to the NPRC.
- Visit the NPRC in person.
- Contact your state or county Veterans agency.
- Hire an independent researcher.
Where did soldiers from Durham fight?
During the Second World War, nine battalions of the DLI fought with distinction in every major theatre of the War – from Dunkirk in 1940, to North Africa, Malta, Sicily, Italy, Burma and in Europe from D-Day to the final defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.
Where did the Durham Light Infantry land on D-Day?
The landing was made at LA RIVIERE and within an hour the forward troops had passed through VER-SUR-MER and were re-organising in the assembly area some two miles inland. The enemy was withdrawing on the Brigade front and the Battalion encountered only spasmodic shelling during the landing.
What is a light infantry brigade?
The Light Infantry Brigade was an administrative formation of the British Army from 1948 to 1968. The Brigade administered the regular English light infantry regiments. After the Second World War the British Army had fourteen infantry depots, each bearing a letter.
Was Durham Light Infantry at Dunkirk?
Durham Light Infantry during WW2 Thousands of Durham Light Infantry were taken prisoner during the Second World War. Many were captured in 1940 before Dunkirk and spent five years in prison camps. Later others were captured in battles in North Africa at Mersa Matruh and Mareth.
What battles did the Durham Light Infantry fight in ww1?
The Battle of St Quentin, The First Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Messines, The Second Battle of Kemmel, The Battle of the Aisne 1918, The Battle of Albert, The Second Battle of Bapaume, The Battle of Epehy, The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The Battle of the Selle.
What is the point of light infantry?
Historically, light infantry often fought as scouts, raiders, and skirmishers; soldiers who fight in a loose formation ahead of the main army to harass, delay, disrupt supply lines, engage the enemy’s own skirmishing forces, and generally “soften up” an enemy before the main battle.
When did the light infantry become the rifles?
1 February 2007
On 1 February 2007 The Rifles was created from four of the finest Infantry Regiments in the British Army: The Devonshire & Dorset Light Infantry. The Light Infantry.