THE STORY OF THE 6th BATTALION THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY 1915-1918

The 6th Battalion of the DLI was formed in the Boer War, serving in South Africa from 1900-02. In the first year of the Great War the battalion raised enough volunteers to form first and second line battalions, and to start a third one. The 1/6th Battalion suffered heavy casualties at the second battle of Ypres in April 1915 (the 1/8th alone lost 19 officers and 574 other ranks) - that they were forced to amalgamate, becoming the 6/8th Battalion. The 2/6th Battalion was formed in September 1914 and was employed in home defence duties as part of the 190th (2nd Durham Light Infantry) Brigade of the 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division. Reassigned, it landed in France on 6 May 1918 as the Garrison Guards Battalion, part of the 177th Brigade of the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. It dropped 'Garrison Guard' by 16th July and entered the line on the 15th, fighting in the autumn during the 100 days offensive. Appendices show Officers killed or died and Decorations.