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Unknown Somme Soldier #4


Do you recognise this 6th Battalion DLI Private?


In summer 1916, whilst the Battle of the Somme was raging less than 10 miles away, hundreds of British soldiers, including men from the DLI, had their photographs taken by an enterprising French photographer in the village of Warloy-Baillon.

These photographs were clearly taken in summer. Look at the leaves on the trees and the weeds on the cobbled paths. And it had been raining. Look at the mud on the men’s boots and puttees (the long strips of cloth wrapped around the lower leg to provide ankle support and stop stones and water getting into the boots).

But who were these DLI soldiers?

There are clues in the uniforms and badges being worn by each soldier that may help identify him.

This unknown soldier is wearing the cheaper, simplified khaki Service Dress (SD) tunic that was introduced in late 1914, when so many men were enlisting and needing uniforms. This tunic has plain un-pleated top pockets and no extra shoulder patches to prevent wear from rifle and equipment straps.

On his SD cap (with its brown leather chin strap) is the distinctive DLI cap badge; and on his shoulder strap is a curved metal ‘DURHAM’, with a bugle above and (possibly) his battalion number.

However, instead of shiny brass tunic buttons, this soldier is wearing unusual black buttons with a crowned bugle. In the Durham Light Infantry, this distinctive button (made of bone) was only worn by the 6th Battalion.

This is confirmed by the ‘battle patch’ at the top of his sleeve. These differently shaped and coloured cloth patches were introduced during the war to distinguish battalions within a division. In the 151st Brigade of the 50th Division, the 6th Battalion DLI wore RED diamonds, which in black & white photos, appear almost black.

Did a copy of this photo get sent home to his wife, his parents or his sweetheart?

Was this 6th Battalion DLI soldier your ancestor?

If you know who this soldier was, please, contact us.

For more information about this project, go to the WHAT’S ON section of the DURHAM AT WAR website and search for the PROJECT named UNKNOWN SOMME SOLDIER.

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office


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