ENLIST IN THE 68th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

The 68th DLI Society & Display Team, illustrating military and camp life in 1814, has, through its commitment to discipline and training, rightly earned its reputation as the premier Georgian period drill team at home and abroad. Formed in 1975 to celebrate the early days of the DLI by members of the 68th ex-soldier Association, and drilled using the original Light Infantry training manuals, the Society celebrated its 25th Jubilee in 2000. It continues to maintain close links with its parent regiment and the DLI Association.

The Society welcomes families as well as single men (from the age of 16) but because of its commitment to authenticity, women and children are excluded from the ranks as soldiers. Nevertheless, there are many roles for non-combatants, such as Musicians (from age 12), Ladies or soldiers' women and their families.

What will it cost you? To join the Display Team as a recruit soldier you need to be prepared to study the period, attend drill sessions regularly and obtain a current shotgun and black powder licence, which costs approximately £50.00. The Society provides (and can store) uniforms and muskets to Display Team members at a monthly subscription of £10.00 a month. There is a sliding scale for individuals and families to join the Society and it has available a wealth of patterns and research to help recreate clothes and period details for supporting family members.

As the Society is frequently invited abroad it would be handy to already have a valid passport and for UK events, a driving licence. Transport for overseas events is generally organised by the Society and in the UK, by arrangement.

Apart from the many scheduled events from March to October - there are the drill sessions, generally held on the first Sunday of the month, at the Community Centre at Lanchester, nr. Durham City, during the autumn, winter and early spring, which are compulsory to new recruits. There are social events, even film and TV work, such as in recent Sharpe, Hornblower and the History Zone programmes.

With major international re-enactments to commemorate the many Bicentenaries of Napoleonic battles already planned all over the continent, there is no better time to join! Be sharper in Red! Come and join the 68th - to investigate further get in touch with Elizabeth Hawkins.

e-mail - mailto: Secretary

BOOKING THE 68th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

Are You Interested in Booking The 68th Display Team?
If so, you must first decide what you want the Team to do for you, within the context of the type of event you are planning to produce, and the venue or site you have available. Being very versatile allows us to match our Displays to suit your Event & Venue. Here are a selection of place and activities in which we have been involved over the years:-

Stately Homes; Heritage Sites; Official Openings; Schools; Universities; Museums; Castles; T.A. Centres; Remembrance Parades; Regimental Dinners; Military Tattoos; Pageants; T.V. Documentaries; T.V. Dramas; County Fairs; Festivals; Garrisons.

So What Could You Book Us To Do?
There are a variety of Displays you can choose to fit into your programme:-

"Honour-Guard or Escort" - consisting of a few smart Redcoats in Parade-Dress. Suitable for Dinners, Weddings, Official Openings, etc. (Probable Participants "PP" = 6+).

"The Recruiting Party" - a Sergeant, a few Soldiers, Drummers & Fifers, offering "The King's Shilling" -suitable for Schools, Colleges, Fairs etc. (PP = 8+).

"Recruiting Party in Camp" - as above plus a Bell-Tent, cooking range & camp followers demonstrating food stuffs, living conditions, etc. Suitable for grassed, open-air sites. (PP = 10+).

"The 68th Display Team" - Demonstrating the manoeuvres and marching drill, uniforms, weapons and equipment of 1814, by the Redcoats of the Team. (PP = 25+). (N.B. This requires a large arena or open area with barrier).

"The 68th Encampment"- The entire Team as described above, plus up to six Bell-Tents, a Mess-Tent and Publicity/Education Tent. Many women and children all in "period" clothing, all the clutter, hustle and bustle of family life within a military encampment, which is open all day to the public to ask the Team any questions on the Period. (PP = 40+). (N.B. This also requires a large, grassed area).

"Battle Re-enactment "- The Team regularly take part in these "Spectaculars" all over England and also in mainland Europe. Although we are not involved in the original planning of these events, we are in contact with those who can undertake such activities, so we can give substantial help and advice for planning this type of event. (PP = ? many 100's).

What do we charge for our Fee?
The least we ask for is "£0000"! The most we will ask for is £1500. It really does depend on so many different aspects that there is no definite figure. All enquiries are treated individually and negotiated on the basis of how far we have to travel, how much you want us to do, how many of us will be involved and for how long?

Who Do You Contact To Book the 68th Display Team?
The 68th Display Team Events Co-ordinator - Kevin Walsh .
Telephone: 0191 482 6238 . e-mail - mailto: kw002c9928@blueyonder.co.uk
How much Notice Should You Allow? We receive notifications or invitations to events up to a year or more in advance. So the sooner, the better!