Durham Light Infantry

My maternal grandfather served with the Durham Light Infantry during the Second World War but, like many who survived the unimaginable horror of trench warfare, he didn't like to talk about his experiences. As his granddaughter, born seven years after his death, he is a man I would have liked to have known and it was important to me, my brother and my mother that we have more to remember him by than his tattered medals and a generic postcard from France.

We got in contact with a man compiling information, photographs and stories of the DLI and, using his knowledge and contacts he was able to fill in a few details for us. We now know which battallion my grandfather served with, his rank (a Lance Corporal) and have had some old photographs restored of him astride a motorbike on the front lines. We have also requested his service records from the MoD.

This quest for information led us to a full family tree search, something that various members of the family have attempted over the years to varying degrees of success. After ploughing through birth, death and marriage records, the census from 1851 onwards and even tromping round graveyards, we have traced one branch of our family back seven generations.

Some useful links for anyone interested in doing the same:

www.newmp.org.uk
- the website of John Dixon, the man compiling information on the DLI. He is contactable directly through the email address on the site and would welcome any photos or stories about the DLI during WW2

http://county.durham.gov.uk/sites/dli/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx
-the DLI museum and art gallery, Aykley Heads, Durham

www.findmypast.co.uk
- one of the better family tree creators I have used, this site allows you to view the census, birth and death records at a reasonable cost (£6.95 for 60 credits, giving you 90 days access and costing an average of 5 credits per record that you can print out)

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/ContactUs/ServiceRecordsEnquiries.htm
- from here you can print out the form to request the service records for deceased service personnel, you do need to be next of kin and there is a charge of £30 and a possible waiting time of 6 months.