Battalions of the Regular Army
1st Battalion
August 1914 : in Nowshera in India. Part of the 3rd (Abbottabad) Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division. Remained in India throughout the war. Transferred in August 1914 to 2nd (Nowshera) Brigade in 1st (Peshawar) Division. In November 1917 transferred to 4th (Rawalpindi) Brigade in 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division.
2nd Battalion
August 1914 : at Lichfield. Part of 18th Brigade in 6th Division.
Moved to Dunfermline but by 13 August was at Cambridge.
10 September 1914 : landed at St Nazaire.
3rd (Reserve) Battalion
August 1914 : at Newcastle-on-Tyne.
A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to South Shields where it then remained as part of the Tyne Garrison.
4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
August 1914 : at Barnard Castle.
A depot/training unit, it moved on mobilisation to the Tyne defences.
Moved in December to Killingworth, went to Forest Hall in January 1915 and finally to Seaham Harbour in September 1915, where it then remained as part of the Tyne Garrison.
The badge of the Durham Light Infantry as represented on a war grave. From the excellent PaulHP collection at flickr, with my thanks.
Battalions of the Territorial Force
1/5th Battalion
August 1914 :headquartered at Stockton-on-Tees. Under command of York & Durham Infantry Brigade, Northumbrian Division. Was at annual camp at Deganwy in North Wales when war was declared but had already begun to return home early.
6 August 1914: moved to Hartlepool and West Hartlepools.
6 September 1914: moved to Hummersknott Camp at Darlington.
25 October 1914: moved to Newcastle.
17 April 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
14 May 1915 : formation names changed to became 150th Infantry Brigade and 50th (Northumbrian) Division.
12 February 1918 : transferred to 151st Brigade in same Division.
15 July 1918 : reduced to cadre strength and transferred to Lines of Communication.
16 August 1918 : transferred to 117th Brigade in 39th Division.
9 November 1918 : disbanded in France.
1/6th Battalion
August 1914 : at Bishop Auckland. Part of DLI Brigade, Northumbrian Division. Moved to Bolden Colliery in early August, then Ravensworth Park. Was at Newcastle by October.
17 April 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
14 May 1915 : became 151st Brigade in 50th (Northumbrian) Division.
3 June 1915 : after taking heavy casualties, 1/6th and 1/8th Bns merged to form 6/8th Bn. Resumed original identity 11 August 1915.
15 July 1918 : reduced to cadre strength and transferred to Lines of Communication.
16 August 1918 : transferred to 117th Brigade in 39th Division.
6 November 1918 : disbanded in France.
1/7th Battalion
August 1914 : at Sunderland. Part of DLI Brigade, Northumbrian Division. Moved to coast defences in mid August, then Ravensworth Park. Was at Newcastle by October.
17 April 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
14 May 1915 : became 151st Brigade in 50th (Northumbrian) Division.
16 November 1915 : left Brigade and converted into Pioneer Battalion for same Division.
20 June 1918 : transferred to 8th Division.
3 July 1918 : absorbed the 22nd Bn.
1/8th Battalion
August 1914 : at Durham. Record same as 1/6th Bn.
1/9th Battalion
August 1914 : at Gateshead. Record same as 1/6th Bn.
12 February 1918 : converted into Pioneer Battalion and transferred to 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division.
2/5th Battalion
Formed at Stockton in September 1914 as a second line unit. Moved to Long Benton and placed under orders of 189th Brigade in 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division. Moved to Cramlington in July 1915 and Retford in November.
July 1916 : Division broken up. 189th Brigade moved to Catterick.
31 October 1916 : left Brigade and moved to Salonika as a Garrison Battalion, going via France and arriving 15 November. Placed under XVI Corps on arrival.
1 March 1917 : transferred to 228th Brigade in 28th Division.
2/6th Battalion
Formed at Ravensworth Park (Gateshead) 26 September 1914 as a second line unit. Moved to Leam Camp (Heworth near Felling on Tyne) and placed under orders of 190th Brigade in 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division.
Moved to Doncaster in November 1915.
July 1916 : Division broken up. 190th Brigade moved to Catterick.
29 November 1916 : moved to Andover, going on in March 1917 to Colchester and then Frinton in September.
1 May 1918 : landed at Calais as a Garrison Guard Battalion and under orders of 177th Brigade in 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. “Garrison Guard” title was dropped on 16 July.
2/7th Battalion
Formed at Ravensworth Park 16 September 1914 as a second line unit. Originally only three companies formed. Recruitment to full strength “indifferently carried out” according to battalion war diary.
1 October 1914: ordered to hand over all arms, equipment, greatcoats and puttees to the 1/7th Battalion amd moved to Sunderland. It “caused dissatisfaction which greatly affected recruiting”. Men were now billeted in their own homes.
10-13 October 1914: returned to Ravensworth Park.
18 November 1914: to Gateshead to join a composite brigade. Men billeted at Bentinck Road Schools, Newcastle.
19 November 1914: to Town Moor at Newcastle, and digging trenches near Cox Lodge Station.
1 February 1915: men moved to billets in Hudson Road Schools and James William Street Schools in Sunderland.
9 February 1915: formally named as 2/7th Battalion.
8 March 1915: began to form defences of Sunderland docks. Next day, HQ moved into Hendon Street Schools.
16 May 1915: except for a detachment at the docks, moved to Leam Camp (Heworth near Felling on Tyne).
22 October 1915: moved to Gateshead, HQ being in Redheugh Schools.
26 November 1915: moved to Doncaster.
22 July 1916: moved to camp at Catterick Bridge.
30 November 1916: movedto Andover.
Record same as 2/6th Bn but did not sail on 1 May 1918.
September 1918 : became a Garrison Guard Battalion.
5 October 1918: left Colchester for Glasgow. Embarked onto the ship “Goentoer”.
7 October 1918: sailed for service in North Russia and landed at Bakaritza on 24 October. 17 officers and 576 men.
26 May 1919: moved to Smolny. Began to demobilise during June 1919. Final cadre returned home late August 1919.
2/8th Battalion
Formed at Durham in October 1914 as a second line unit. Record same as 2/6th Bn.
29 November 1916 : moved to Basingstoke.
December 1917 : disbanded in England.
2/9th Battalion
Formed at Ravensworth Park 11 September 1914 as a second line unit. Record same as 2/6th Bn.
4 November 1916 : sailed from Southampton, moving to Salonika via France, arriving 15 November. Became Army Troops and remained in area of Salonika town.
3/4th, 3/5th, 3/6th, 3/7th, 3/8th and 3/9th Battalions
Formed at home bases by June 1915. Moved to Catterick.
8 April 1916 : renamed as Reserve Battalions.
1 September 1916 : 5th absorbed the others at Newcastle. Moved to Redcar in October 1916 and Scotton Camp at Catterick in December. Moved to Hornsea in summer 1917 and then in spring 1918 to Sutton-on-Hull where it remained as part of the Humber Garrison.
26th Battalion
On 1 January 1917, the 23rd Provisional Bn became 26th Bn DLI. The 23rd had been formed from Home Service personnel from the TF Bns of the regiment. Remained in England throughout the war.
27th Battalion
On 1 January 1917, the 25th Provisional Bn became 26th Bn DLI. The 25th had been formed from Home Service personnel from the TF Bns of the regiment. Remained in England throughout the war.
Battalions of the New Armies
10th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Newcastle on 22 August 1914 as part of K1 and came under orders of 43rd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. Moved initially to Woking, then Aldershot and on to Witley in November 1914, returning to Aldershot in February 1915.
21 May 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
12 February 1918 : disbanded in France.
11th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers)
Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K2 and came under orders of 60th Brigade in 20th (Light) Division. Moved to initially to Woking, then Pirbright.
6 January 1915 : converted into a Pioneer Battalion in same Division.
Moved to Witley in February 1915 and then on to Larkhill in March 1915.
20 July 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
12th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 68th Brigade in 23rd Division. Moved to Aldershot in November. Moved to Willesborough (Kent) in February 1915 and went on in May to Bramshott.
26 August 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
Moved with Division to Italy in November 1917.
13th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 68th Brigade in 23rd Division. Record same as 12th Bn.
14 September 1918 : left 23rd Division and returned to France, joining 74th Brigade in 25th Division at St Riquier on 19 September 1918.
14th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 64th Brigade in 21st Division. Moved to Aylesbury, then Halton Park in October, going on to billets in High Wycombe in November 1914 and then back to Halton Park in April 1915. Finally moved to Witley in July.
11 September 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
28 November 1915 : transferred to 18th Brigade in 6th Division.
15th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 64th Brigade in 21st Division. Moved to Halton Park, going on to billets in Maidenhead in December 1914 and then back to Halton Park in April 1915. Finally moved to Witley in July.
11 September 1915 : landed at Boulogne.
16th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed in Durham in October 1914 as a K4 Service Battalion and came under orders of 89th Brigade in original 30th Division.
10 April 1915 : became a Reserve Battalion and moved in July to Darlington. Moved on to Rugeley Camp (Cannock Chase) in November 1915.
1 September 1916 : converted into 1st Training Reserve Battalion of 1st Reserve Brigade at Rugeley.
17th (Reserve) Battalion
Formed in Barnard Castle in September 1914 as a K4 Service Battalion and came under orders of 89th Brigade in original 30th Division. Record same as 16th Bn.
1 September 1916 : converted into 2nd Training Reserve Battalion of 1st Reserve Brigade at Rugeley.
Later became the 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion (see below).
18th (Service) Battalion (1st County)
This and other battalions (below) often known by the name of the Durham Pals.
Formed at Cocken Hall in County of Durham on 10 September 1914 by Col. R.Burdon and a committee. Moved in December to Fencehouses, then back to Cocken Hall in February 1915 and to Fencehouses again in March.
May 1915 : moved to Cramlington then Ripon, came under orders of 93rd Brigade in 31st Division. Went to Fovant in September.
6 December 1915 : sailed from Liverpool for Egypt, arriving Port Said on 21 December. Went on to France, arriving 11 March 1916.
19th (Service) Battalion (2nd County)
Formed in Durham on 13 January 1915 by the Durham Parliamentary Recruiting Committee as a Bantam Battalion. Moved to Cocken Hall in May 1915.
June 1915 : moved to Masham and came under orders of 106th Brigade in 35th Division. Moved to Perham Down in July 1916.
1 February 1916 : landed at Le Havre.
January 1917 : ceased to be a Bantam Battalion.
8 February 1918 : transferred to 104th Brigade in same Division.
20th (Service) Battalion (Wearside)
Formed in Sunderland on 10 July 1915 by the Mayor and a committee. Moved to Wensleydale in August and then Barnard Castle in October 1915.
January : moved to Aldershot and came under orders of 123rd Brigade in 41st Division.
5 May 1916 : landed at Le Havre.
November 1917 : moved with the Division to Italy but returned to France in March 1918.
21st (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Cocken hall in July 1915 from depot companies of 18th and 20th Bns. Moved to Catterick in November 1915 and went on to Hornsea in April 1916.
1 September 1916 : converted into 87th Training Reserve Battalion in 20th Reserve Brigade at Hornsea.
22nd (Service) Battalion (3rd County Pioneers)
Formed at West Hartlepools on 1 October 1915 by the Durham Parliamentary Recruiting Committee. Moved to Catterick on 9 March 1916.
17 June 1916 : landed at Le Havre and then attached to 19th (Western) Division
2 July 1916 : transferred to 8th Division and became Pioneer Battalion
3 July 1918 : absorbed by 1/7th Bn.
23rd (Reserve) Battalion
Formed at Catterick in October 1915 from depot companies of 19th Bn. Moved to Atwick near Hornsea in April 1916.
1 September 1916 : absorbed into Training Reserve Battalions in 20th Reserve Brigade at Hornsea.
No 24th Battalion was formed.
Other Battalions
25th (Works) Battalion
Formed at Pocklington in May 1916. Moved to Skipton in August 1916. In April 1917 became 7th Labour Bn of the Labour Corps. Remained in England throughout the war.
28th (Home Service) Battalion
Formed at Frinton on 27 April 1918.
29th (Service) Battalion
Formed at Margate on 1 June 1918 and moved to Brookwood, where it absorbed the cadre of the 2/7th Bn the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment).
11 June 1918 : came under orders of 41st Brigade in 14th (Light) Division.
3 July 1918 : landed at Boulogne.
1st (Home Service) Garrison Battalion
Formed at Blyth in June 1916, then moved to Cork. On 1 April 1917 became the 1st (Home Service) Garrison Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers.
51st (Graduated) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 258th Graduated Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 4th Battalion of the Training Reserve and up to September 1916 had been the 11th (Reserve) Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment. A training unit based at Ipswich, it was part of 215th Brigade in 72nd Division. In March 1918 when 72nd Division was broken up it went to 206th Brigade of 69th Division at Durham. Moved to Guisborough in March 1918 and in autumn went on to Catterick.
52nd (Graduated) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 273rd Graduated Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 86th Battalion of the Training Reserve and up to September 1916 had been the 31st (Reserve) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. A training unit based at Chelmsford, it was part of 220th Brigade in 73rd Division. In March 1918 when 73rd Division was broken up it went to 206th Brigade of 69th Division at Stockton. Moved to Guisborough in March 1918 and in autumn went on to Catterick.
53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion
Up to 27 October 1917, this was known as 2nd Young Soldier Battalion and had no regimental affiliation. Before that it had been 17th (Reserve) Battalion of the DLI (See above). A basic recruit training unit based at Rugeley, it was part of 1st Reserve Brigade. By November 1918 it had moved to Clipstone Camp.
Links
Other British infantry regiments
59th (2nd North Midland) Division
62nd (2nd West Riding) Division
67th (2nd Home Counties) Division
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