I was looking tofind out if I could find anything more specifically about James Cockburn's 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry since he signed 8th Durham L.I. after his name.
I found out it was raised in Durham in August 1914. After training in Britain, they went to France arriving April 17, 1915 and soon saw action at the Battle of Yrpes in June and after heavy casualties, merged with the 6th Durham L.I. to become the 6/8 Durham L.I.
They saw action again at the Battle of the Somme and Battle of Lys.
In August, the 8th DLI transferred to the 117th Brigade, 39th Division and were disbanded in France after November 1918.
--DaCoot
Showing posts with label Durham Light Infantry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Durham Light Infantry. Show all posts
Sunday, April 12, 2015
The Durham Light Infantry-- Part 2
During World War I, the unit fought at many of the worst battles, including Ypres, Loos, Arras, Messines, Cambrai, Somme and Passchendale. They earned 54 battle honors and six Victoria Crosses but lost some 12,000 dead.
James Cockburn signed his name on April 1, 1917, so this would have been right before the Battle of Arras which began on 9 April and was intended as a diversion for the French attack at Nivelle. The British and Durham Light Infantry advanced 4,000 hard-fought yards through the Hindenburg trench system until April 10th.
The Battle of Messines was 7-14 June 1917 and Somme Offensive began July 1917.
So, James Cockburn sure had a busy time before him.
--Cooter
James Cockburn signed his name on April 1, 1917, so this would have been right before the Battle of Arras which began on 9 April and was intended as a diversion for the French attack at Nivelle. The British and Durham Light Infantry advanced 4,000 hard-fought yards through the Hindenburg trench system until April 10th.
The Battle of Messines was 7-14 June 1917 and Somme Offensive began July 1917.
So, James Cockburn sure had a busy time before him.
--Cooter
Saturday, April 11, 2015
The Durham Light Infantry-- Part 1: James Cockburn's Unit in WWI
From Wikipedia.
The previous two entries were about graffiti left in the famous Naours Cave in France during World War I. On of the nearly 2,000 sightseeing soldiers who inscribed his name on the chalk wall was one James Cockburn, 8th Durham L.I. and he signed it for the date April 1, 1917, now 98 years ago.
I decided to see if I could find out any more information on him. I couldn't, so I don't know if he survived the war or not.
I did find out some information about his unit.
DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
British Army Infantry Regiment 1881-1968 formed from the 68th Durham Regt. of Foot (Light Infantry) and 106th Regt. of Foot (Brumby Light Infantry) along with militia and rifle volunteers from County Durham. They served in the Boer War, both World Wars and the Korean War.
During World War I, they were expanded to 42 battalions. Mr. Cockburn probably belonged to the 8th Battalion.
More to Come. --Cooter
The previous two entries were about graffiti left in the famous Naours Cave in France during World War I. On of the nearly 2,000 sightseeing soldiers who inscribed his name on the chalk wall was one James Cockburn, 8th Durham L.I. and he signed it for the date April 1, 1917, now 98 years ago.
I decided to see if I could find out any more information on him. I couldn't, so I don't know if he survived the war or not.
I did find out some information about his unit.
DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
British Army Infantry Regiment 1881-1968 formed from the 68th Durham Regt. of Foot (Light Infantry) and 106th Regt. of Foot (Brumby Light Infantry) along with militia and rifle volunteers from County Durham. They served in the Boer War, both World Wars and the Korean War.
During World War I, they were expanded to 42 battalions. Mr. Cockburn probably belonged to the 8th Battalion.
More to Come. --Cooter
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