I am researching a wartime camp near my home. I have found that the part of the camp I am currently looking at was built in 1940 for the DLI. I know they were involved at Dunkirk so surmise this is where they came to retrain and build up their establishment.I would dearly like to hear from any one who was in thia camp from 1939 when the estate was first taken over by the Royal Engineers until after the war when it served as a displaced persons camp. The camp was. MORTONHALL CAMP Frogston Road East, Edinburgh. I have looked at all the usual lists of camps and it does not get a mention but it was there and there is still plenty of evidence of it's existence.
Have you been in touch with the Durham County Records Office. They have DLI Records, including info on Morton Hall - file Ref No. D/DLI 2/17/1(43): DLI Records They maybe able to help you get in touch with local DLI veterans who may have used the camp.
I am researching a wartime camp near my home. I have found that the part of the camp I am currently looking at was built in 1940 for the DLI. I know they were involved at Dunkirk so surmise this is where they came to retrain and build up their establishment.I would dearly like to hear from any one who was in thia camp from 1939 when the estate was first taken over by the Royal Engineers until after the war when it served as a displaced persons camp. The camp was. MORTONHALL CAMP Frogston Road East, Edinburgh. I have looked at all the usual lists of camps and it does not get a mention but it was there and there is still plenty of evidence of it's existence. Hi, Partially right Boabbie! The DLI battalion was actually the 16th DLI formed at a Camp somewhere in Scotland! It was Morton Hall.16DLI formed just after Dunkirk.One of the Soldiers was a Pte Alexander Gray(I have a photograph of him) who said ‘When we arrived at Morton Hall it was a sea of mud and I was asked or ordered to be a batman to two officers as they arrived. Unusual job in bell tents and mud! The reason you have`nt been able to find it listed could be that it was mis-spelt in the 16th DLI history published I believe in 1946 here it is reffered to as Norton Camp.I have a photo of original mailing address/envelope (1940) for the camp.Hope this helps Regards Verrieres
I live quite near what I had always thought had been an Italian p.o.w. camp but have since discovered that it had been originally some kind of base for the Durham Light Infantry quite early in the war. It is (now) in the suburbs of Edinburgh. The camp was in the grounds of Mortonhall House,on Frogston Rd , near Fairmilehead, looking across open country to the Pentland Hills. There are a fair number of the concrete hut bases still to be seen. Does this ring any bells with anybody?
Hello cuthelton, This would have been an ideal question for Jim (handle 'Verrieres'), who is the expert on the Durham Light Infantry, but he hasn't been around for a couple of months. So, this is my attempt at assisting. I am aware through reading about my interest, the 50th (Northumbrian) Division - which included the 6th, 8th & 9th Bns Durham Light Infantry - that the 14th, 16th & 17th Bns Durham Light Infantry were based in Edinburgh. These latter battalions were formed at Brancepath, Co Durham, on 4 July 1940, with the 14th and 16th Bns moving to Edinburgh shortly thereafter and being joined by the 17th in due course. I have no information on the exact location in Edinburgh, but I do know that this is where these battalions did their basic training. I understand that by February 1941 the 14th & 17th Bns were staioned at Folkestone and only saw home service. However, the 16th Bn fought in N Africa, Italy and Greece, having been brigaded with the 2nd/4th KOYLI and 5th Sherwood Foresters in 139th Infantry Brigade, 46th Infantry Division, in August 1940. If I find any more information on the location of these Durhams whilst they were in Edinburgh I will post again. Best, Steve.
envelope addressed to Frogston Road camp here. 16th DLI July 1940 Pt 2 edit:merged with an existing thread on same topic.
Hello again, cuthelton, I mentioned Jim (handle 'Verrieres') at Message #5 as the forum's Durham Light Infantry expert. Fortunately Jim has provided me with further information, which I think adds to what has gone before; as quoted below: "Hello Steve, The camp was constructed by the Royal Engineers for the 16th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (Formed as a Dunkirk Battalion). It was situated within an area of pasture immediately to the north of Frogston Road West (Now) on the southern outskirts of the City of Edinburgh. The 16th DLI were stationed at Mortonhall in July 1940. The Camp was not completed when the DLI arrived so they were initially billeted in tents. Following the 16th DLI`s departure for North Africa/Tunisia, I believe was occupied by the Royal Signals who were still in situ in 1945-46. At some point it [is] believed that the Royal Signals shared the camp with German and Italian prisoners of war, but I cannot confirm that for definite. In the immediate post-war period it served as a displaced person`s camp. The wooden buildings were sold off locally in 1950-51 (ish). That is about it really. Best Wishes, Jim" I hope this assist you with your question. Best, Steve.
My grandfather was noted on his tracer card to be in the 17th DLR, no dates mentioned. Attached is a picture of him (left) Looks to be British soil not sure if this will help with finding the location or was it his time as a REME before being attached to 147th Essex Yeomanry.
I'm fairly sure that 17 DLI was latterly based in Shrewsbury at the KSLI Depot. They were disbanded in the summer of 1943 with some officers being sent to Salerno in Sept 1943. They were distributed around the 2nd/4th KOYLI and 5th Sherwood Foresters in 139th Infantry Brigade, 46th Infantry Division as casualty replacements. Awards to DLI Soldiers serving in other units of 46 Division The photo in #5 does seem to portray Edinburgh in the background, particularly the shadows of hills in the distance. There are some very knowledgeable members on the forum who might be able to help.
In this thread I refer to 17 DLI posted to 5SWF in #7: 5th Sherwood Foresters Salerno September 1944 Also excerpts from 46 Div history by Owen on #4 Worth a read,.got this on Kindle
