Durham Light Infantry

[Perth Digger]

According to CWGC, Jacob (DOW 18/9/1916, Somme) was in the 4th Battalion. But this battalion was not on the Somme. Does anyone know which battalion he was in when killed?

Thanks

Mike

[Guest]

Hi Mike, you can buy a photograph of him HERE

SDGW says 4th DLI, died of wounds. Perhaps an accident? Perhaps attached to another Battalion, I'm not sure. Someone might have an answer for you. You will need to see the medal rolls to be sure, and as an Officer, I think his service record should have survived. Perhaps you could post a request for someone to have a look at the rolls for you.

Cheers Mike

[Perth Digger]

Thanks, Mike. I think he was probably attached to another DLI Battalion, but there were a lot fighting at that time on that battlefield. According to Ray Westlake, the 4/DLI wasn't in France in 1916.

[Guest]

Aye, The Long Long Trail has them not going abroad.

I think you will need to see the medal rolls to be sure.

Cheers Mike

[KevinBattle]

The DLI sustained nearly 700 casualties in the period 14 to 18th September.

To narrow it down, I just used the same cemetery and have these 12:-

001 COOK JO 32087 10TH BN 18/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

002 COSTELLO J 9/3163 1ST/9TH BN 17/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

003 HAINES WR 20/391 20TH BN 16/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

004 HARTLEY A 20/945 20TH BN 18/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

005 HENDERSON WT 25890 15TH BN 18/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

006 JACOB AR - 4TH BN 18/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

007 METCALF W 45708 15TH BN 18/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

008 MORREN JJ 4392 1ST/5TH BN 17/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

009 PICKERING GW 20/932 20TH BN 17/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

010 PRICE J 5/3795 1ST/5TH BN 16/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

011 SEARLE R 28148 15TH BN 18/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

012 WALTON E 3/9874 10TH BN 18/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

If Jacobs died of wounds but hadn't been evacuated further down the line, it may be one of these Battalions that he may have been attached to.

Hope that's narrowed it down a bit!!

If the 4th Battalion weren't in France, there is this chap:

Name: MEIKLE

Initials: R J

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Second Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry

Unit Text: 4th Bn.

Age: 23

Date of Death: 15/09/1916

Additional information: Son of Mrs. Margaret Meikle, of "Gershorn," 93, Marine Avenue, Monkseaton, Northumberland.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: XII. C. 6.

Cemetery: GUARDS' CEMETERY, LESBOEUFS

and

004 BEART VLD - 4TH BN ATTD 13TH BN 17/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

009 GEORGE EB - 4TH BN ATTD 15TH BN 16/09/1916 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

(extracted from 31 Officer casualties in that period). Thanks, Geoff!

to perhaps complicate matters.

Wouldn't War Diaries mention Officers by Name?

[Perth Digger]

Thanks, Kevin. I was aware of Meikle; he was actually transferred to the 2nd Bn. There is a lot about him and his brothers at

www.ww2talk.com/.../16279-meikle-twins-durham-light-infantry-4.html

I have some of the DLI War Diaries (all of those available at £3.50 from Kew), but not all.

Perhaps Jacob was also transferred to the 2nd Bn, as I can't check that War Diary.

I'll eventually get his personal file, which I hope will sort it out.

Thanks for making the effort. Geoff is a great boon, isn't he?

Mike

[27thBN]

Hi Mike, you can buy a photograph of him HERE

SDGW says 4th DLI, died of wounds. Perhaps an accident? Perhaps attached to another Battalion, I'm not sure. Someone might have an answer for you. You will need to see the medal rolls to be sure, and as an Officer, I think his service record should have survived. Perhaps you could post a request for someone to have a look at the rolls for you.

Cheers Mike

You can buy a picture of him there ..you lucky lucky man .Every time i look at that site in over 500 medal groups not one man has a picture of him on it

cheers MC

[bmac]

Followed the Lulu link and see he is an Old Alleynian (old boy of Dulwich College) and, because I am one too, I have their Roll of Honour. I will try to photo the photo and biog and upload.

He was attached to the 15th DLI in July 1916

[bmac]

It's rather a big file (813K) so I can't upload it here. If you PM me your email address I can send it on.

[bmac]

Better quality version available by email if needed.

[KevinBattle]

bmac: Wonderful how when people pull together what can be achieved!!

[Perth Digger]

I'd rather know their educational backgrounds than have their photos, so it was nice to see that the photo came from Dulwich College Roll of Honour, as I did not know he had been to that school!

[armourersergeant]

I have the 15th DLI War Diary if you would like a look up, as well as Brigade and Divisional?

Regards

Arm