Screen D.L.I. 1914-18 Cathedral

Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, Palace Green.

In Durham Light Infantry Memorial Chapel

1914-18

Unveiled 10th October 1923 by the Marquis of Londonderry.

English oak

Estimated at £1,500

Officers and friends of D.L.I., Dean of Durham and the Chapter.

To the glory of God
In honour of the
officers warrant officers non-
commissioned officers and men
of the
Durham Light Infantry
who laid down
their lives in the Great War
1914-1919.
This chapel has been set apart
as a Regimental Memorial and
as a monument of the gratitude of
their fellow countrymen whom
they inspired by their devotion
sustained by their courage
and delivered by their sacrifice.
“As dying, and behold, we live”.

Replaced by:-
1758 DLI 1968
The Durham Light Infantry
in 1968 merged into
The Light Infantry
after two hundred and ten years
of proud and happy association with
The County of Durham
The gallantry and devotion with which
The Regiment discharged its duty over
these years is plain for all to see
who enter this chapel

Greater love hath no
man than this that a
man lay down his life
for his friends.

Screen, in the traditional 17th century style of Bishop Cosin.

1. “The memorial screen on the south side bore a Dedication to those members of the Regiment who laid down their lives in the 37 Battalions on service in the Great War 1914-1919. Below the dedication was the Regimental badge, flanked by the arms of the See and of the Cathedral. Above the screen were figures of St.George and the Dragon, flanked by St.Cuthbert and King Oswald. The screen on the North side follows the design of one existing prior to 1840, portions of which had been preserved in the Cathedral Library”.

In 1968 the decision was made that all four Light Infantry County Regiments (Somerset & Cornwall, Shropshire, Yorkshire and Durham) should lose their County connections and be merged into a new regiment, The Light Infantry, of four battalions, reduced to three the following year.

The links between the County of Durham and the Regiment had always been very close, especially in latter years, when the proportion of Durham men in the Regiment was normally 90%. The break in a proud and happy association over many years prompted the feeling that not only the members of the Regiment but also the Durham Light Infantry itself, with its great traditions and achievements should be commemorated in the Chapel.

It was decided that the Central memorial Panel in the original Caroe Screen be replaced with an inscription commemorating the 210 years of existence of the Regiment and the Battle Honours inscribed on two oak panels inserted in the openings in the Caroe Screen. This involved no damage or alteration to the Screen itself.

Mr. Pilkington Jackson who had been associated with Sir Robert Lorimer in the creation of the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle was commissioned to design and do the work.

The badges of the Regular Territorial and Militia Battalions are depicted. That for the 6th Battalion, descended from a Rifle Volunteer Battalion, is the badge worn on the Uniform Cross Belt. The Militia Battalions claimed direct descent from the Armed Forces of the Prince Bishops of Durham in medieval times. (Cathedral Guide)

Photos: James Pasby

Durham County Advertiser
12/10/1923

Durham Cathedral and the County Regiment leaflet

Source of quotation:
“As dying, and behold we live” 2 Corinthians 6 v 9
“Greater love hath no man than this . . . St. John 15 v 13.

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk