County’s pride at playing part in war effort
ON THE MARCH: 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on a route march in County Durham during training at the end of 1914. Picture: Durham Record Office DRO: D/DLI 2/18/24(25)

ON THE MARCH: 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on a route march in County Durham during training at the end of 1914. Picture: Durham Record Office DRO: D/DLI 2/18/24 (25)

THE story of how hundreds of County Durham men signed up to fight alongside their friends during the First World War is at the heart of a major exhibition about the conflict.

Outbreak 1914!, at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery, looks at the role played by the Durham Light Infantry during the Great War, drawing on a host of artefacts, photographs and stories on loan from the National Army Museum.

YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU: This recruitment poster from May 1915 plays on local pride and guilt to persuade young Durham men to join up. Picture: DRO: D/DLI 11/1/174

YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU: This recruitment poster from May 1915 plays on local pride and guilt to persuade young Durham men to join up. Picture: DRO: D/DLI 11/1/174

It reveals how a recruitment drive by the government led to the formation of Pals Battalions – large groups of friends, neighbours and family members who joined up together in response to a national appeal.

The DLI almost tripled in size during the first few months of the war, increasing from five battalions to 14 by the end of 1914. The exhibition also explores the story of the regiment’s training camps, looks at the bravery of the 18th Battalion DLI who became one of the first battalions of the New Army – the all-volunteer army formed following the outbreak of war – and offers visitors the chance to learn more about life at home.

DLI manager Gillian Robinson said: “The DLI is very much County Durham’s Regiment, with thousands of family across the area having a link of some sort to those who served as DLI soldiers.

“We are pleased to be working with the National Army Museum to tell the story of the DLI’s role in the First World War in a fascinating and thought-provoking exhibition.”

Go to dlidurham.org.uk or call 0300-026-6590.