5th BN Durham Light Infantry

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Owensje, Dec 9, 2010.

  1. Owensje

    Owensje Junior Member

    I read that the 5th BN DLI were divided as the 1/5th then 2/5th,54th and finally the 55th does anyone know why this unit was renamed so much during the war? thanks in advance James
     
  2. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    I read that the 5th BN DLI were divided as the 1/5th then 2/5th,54th and finally the 55th does anyone know why this unit was renamed so much during the war? thanks in advance James

    Hi ,
    The 5th DLI were no longer traditional infantry long defore WW2 being converted to searchlights under both the RE and RA Regiments hence the different designations.
    Jim
     
  3. Owensje

    Owensje Junior Member

    Thank you so much for the answer to this Verrires, was confused on this,What was Searchlight unit's job during the war,im assuming it has to do with artillery, Thanks Jim
     
  4. Jedburgh22

    Jedburgh22 Very Senior Member

    Searchlights had the job of picking out enemy aircraft in their beams for anti-aircraft guns, later in the war some were used to provide reflected light during night attacks to improve visibility for the attacking Allied troops
     
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  5. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    See the Trux website which has the War Establishment tables for searchlight units in 21 Army Group 1944/45. Go to Arms/Artillery/AA Artillery/searchlights.

    Mike
     
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  6. Owensje

    Owensje Junior Member

    Thank you Trux and jedburgh22 i had no idea that there was a unit that had that job in the war,and trux i wasn;t able to locate the website you referred me to. added reputation point to both of you as well as a friend request, Thanks again
     
  7. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Just to expand a little on 5 DLI The 1st/5th DLI became the 54thSearchlight Regiment in July 1939 it had 413 BTY at Filey,411 at Malton ,and 412 and Regimental HQ at Easingwold.It remained on Home Duties until 1944 .
    In November 1944 it went overseas and was part of the AA defence of Brussels and Antwerp.Hq were in Brussels,411 BTY at Antwerp,412 at Jodoigne and 413 at Louvain.
    The 2nd/5th DLI was composed of three companies at West Hartlepool ,Hordon and Easington in August 1940 it became 55th Searchlight Regiment.Home duties followed until the Regiment embarked for Normandy in June 1944.Landing at Lion-sur-Mer their three Btys were deployed as such 368 Bty River Orne,369 at Langrune and 370 in the area of Cheux.The regiment found themselves for a time in the Anti Tank role and suffered quite heavy casualties.In support of 50th Division 368 Bty faced a very difficult period first at Gheel and then on the Albert Canal..Placed under command of XXXth Corps they took part in the thrust towards Arnhem,there part in the advance ended at Nijmegen where they were designated as both anti aircraft and River defence units in defence of the Bridge before being withdrawn to Exel in Belgium
     
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  8. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    You can find the Trux website by using the list of fine sites on the right hand side of the forum home page. You can also go straight to the searchlight section by typing searchlight into search at the top of the page. Any questions you can use the private message by clicking on the Trux avatar and clicking send private message.

    Mike
     
  9. Owensje

    Owensje Junior Member

    anyone know how many men of the 5th was lost during the war?
     
  10. can anyone point me in the right direction to get more information on what happened to the 413 Battalion after ,Louvain. Thank you
     
  11. 35 D.L.I( Registered at death) lads from Darlington in ww2 but a lot who were in the 5th were registered to the regiment where they were transferred too at death.
     
  12. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    None . The 5th DLI ceased to exist before war was declared although the CWGC mistakenly list one
    Captain James Lyall
    Service Number 69351
    Died 22/06/1940
    Aged 23
    1/5th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
    Son of William and F. Freda Lyall, of Darlington. B.A. (Oxon.).
    Darlington Crematorium
    It was 413 Bty (Battery) not battalion . 413 Bty., 54 (1/5th Bn. The Durham Light Infantry) Searchlight Regt..

    There`s 6 casualties on CWGC three which have original DLI enlistment numbers.

    Gunner
    4915384
    THOMAS DANIEL SANDEL
    Tuesday, June 13, 1944
    Age 22
    SHARESHILL (ST. MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION) CHURCHYARD
    New ground. North of church. Row 10. Grave 12.
    Royal Artillery
    United Kingdom

    Bombardier
    4453448 (DLI enlistment)
    WILLIAM GRAHAM
    Monday, November 25, 1940
    ILKLEY CEMETERY
    Sec. B. Grave 185.
    Royal Artillery
    United Kingdom

    Gunner
    1590448
    VERNON WILSON
    Saturday, February 15, 1941
    Age 25
    GOOLE CEMETERY
    Sec. A. Plot 4. Grave 1223.
    Royal Artillery
    United Kingdom

    Gunner
    4455204 (DLI enlistment)
    JAMES WILLIAM CARTER
    Tuesday, July 30, 1940
    Age 17
    DARLINGTON WEST CEMETERY
    Sec. W.7G. Grave 369.
    Royal Artillery
    United Kingdom

    Serjeant
    4454101 (DLI enlistment)
    ROBERT SANDERSON BELL
    Monday, August 31, 1942
    Age 40
    DARLINGTON CREMATORIUM
    Panel 1.
    Royal Artillery
    United Kingdom

    Gunner
    1742517
    WILLIAM CAMPBELL
    Monday, February 21, 1944
    Age 34
    WALLSEND (CHURCH BANK) CEMETERY
    Sec. I. R.C. Grave 801.
    Royal Artillery
    United Kingdom

    There`s a total of 25 Casualties listed for 54 (1/5th Bn. The Durham Light Infantry) Searchlight Regt listed (inc those above)
    7 with original DLI enlistment numbers

    (Info via former member Verrieres .Thanks)

    Kyle
     

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