BOER-WAR-L Archives

Archiver > BOER-WAR > 2001-10 > 1003949692


From: Iain Kerr <>
Subject: Re: [BOER-WAR] Durham Light Infantry
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2001 19:54:52 +0100
In-Reply-To: <3BD6D983.AC38C245@ntlworld.com>


At 04:08 PM 24/10/01 +0100, sheila.lawson wrote:
>Could anyone tell me where the 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry
>fought in the Boer Wars? My Great Uncle Sargeant B. Salmon fought in
>Both wars and was injured in 1901 and was sent back home in 1901.
>
>Any help would be appreciated
>
>Sheila

Sheila,

During the Second Boer War, the 1st Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry
embarked on 24 Oct 1899 for South Africa and on arrival in Nov it was
deployed to Natal, where it formed part of the 4th (or Light) Brigade under
command of General Lyttleton. It took a prominent part in the Battle of
Colenso on 15 Dec, at the battles onn the Tugela River, including Tugela
Heights, including the Spion Kop operation. Later it was engaged in the
capture of Vaal Kranz, the Battles at Monte Christo, Railway Hill and
Pieter's Hill before the battalion was involved in the Relief of Ladysmith
on 28 February 1900. The 1st Battalion served on in South Africa, guarding
the railways in the Eastern Transvaal and then manning blockhouses on the
Swaziland border until after the Peace of Vereeningen in Jun 1902.

The 2nd Battalion, based in India, despatched a mounted infantry detachment
that formed part of Gough's Mounted Infantry and later the 2nd Mounted
Infantry Division. The 2nd Battalion otherwise remained in India.


The Durham Light Infantry lost six officers and 112 NCOs and men killed or
died of wounds or disease and ten officers and 155 NCOs and men wounded
during the campaign. The regiment received the battle honours: "Colenso",
"Tugela Heights", "Relief of Ladysmith" and "South Africa 1899 1902" for
its part in the South African War.

Yours aye,

Iain Kerr in Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Web Page at: http://home.clara.net/iainkerr/index.htm
RootsWeb Sponsor and Listowner for the WORLDWAR2 Mailing List.

This thread: