Durham Light Infantry - 8th Bn (TF)

This post will look at regimental numbering in the 8th (Territorial Force) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry between 1908 and 1914. Use the information below to estimate when your ancestor joined this particular battalion. Note that all Territorial Force battalions had their own unique number series (and for that matter, some operated more than one number series). So if your ancestor served in the 6th Battalion or the 7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, you'll need to follow those links instead. Check the site index for a list of all number sequences published to date.

The 8th Durham Light Infantry was headquartered at Gilesgate, Durham and its eight companies drew men from the following locations:

A Company: Gilesgate, with drill stations at Sherburn Hill, Brandoin and Sacriston; B Company: Gilesgate; C Company: Chester-le-Street; D Company: Birtley; E Company: Beamish with a drill station at Burnhope; F Company: Stanley; G Company: Houghton-le-Spring, with drill stations at Pittington and Washington; H Company: Hamsteels, with drill stations at Langley Park & Sleetburn. The battalion was part of the Durham Light Infantry Brigade in the Northumbrian Division.

Here are some sample regimental numbers for the 8th Durham Light Infantry. These were issued sequentially, beginning at No 1 on the 1st April 1908. The vast majority of early recruits would have been men who were serving with the 4th Volunteer Battalion.

49 joined on the 1st April 1908
984 joined on the 17th March 1909
1341 joined on the 24th February 1910
1615 joined on the 27th January 1911
1815 joined on the 2nd April 1912
2018 joined on the 24th February 1913
2449 joined on the 24th March 1914
2611 joined on the 4th September 1914 

Use the regimental numbers above to estimate when a man would have joined this battalion between 1908 and August 1914. For example, if your man had the number 1500 and came from Pittington, he would have joined in 1912 and would have probably served in G Company. 

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To search for photos of your Durham Light Infantry ancestors, check my British Army Ancestors website.