DLI unit formation marks

[stevej60]

Hi folk,s I,m not sure if the formation signs prevalent in WW2 were used in the latter part of the great war if so could anyone point me in the direction of patches 

etc that may have been worn by the 8th DLI on their uniform's if any were indeed worn.Many thanks,Steve.

[P.B.]

Hi Steve

 

For most of the war 8/DLI were part of 151 (Durham) Brigade of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division.  This brigade had a system of battle patches established by 1916 which involved large cloth diamonds of various colours being worn on both upper sleeves of the service dress jacket:

 

6/DLI -red diamonds on each sleeve, also black rifle pattern buttons bearing the bugle horn.

8/DLI -blue diamonds on each sleeve.

9/DLI -green diamonds on each sleeve.

 

Hope this helps, all the best

 

Paul.

[stevej60]

Many thank's Paul,It,s only a modelling project but I wanted to represent the 8th Bn as they were my locally recruited unit and a part company were based in

my home town the figures are supplied with steel helmets so 1916 fits in nicely into the timescale too.

Regards Steve.

[P.B.]

You're very welcome, Steve -you can just see from the attached image the relatively large size of the battle patches.

 

From memory, 8/DLI were mainly Chester-Le-Street/ Durham City and a few outlying places like Langley Park, I think?

 

Good luck with the model, post some photos on the forum when it's done perhaps.

 

All the best

 

Paul.

[stevej60]

Thanks Paul.B company were based in Chester le street the part company was based in Birtley my home village (now town)!

[P.B.]

I've many happy memories of Chester-Le-Street, not least of the quality nightspot that was Crocadillos on the Front Street!  On a more refined note, I'm ex-Durham University and of course C Company of 8/DLI had a contingent from Bede College who, along with the whole battalion, suffered heavy casualties when they were committed around Ypres in April 1915.

 

All the best

 

Paul.