DLI Objects

Foreign Service Helmet, Boer War, 1899-1902. This 1896 pattern cork helmet was issued to Private Hedley from Castle Eden, who served with the 1st Volunteer Service Company in South Africa from April 1900 to May 1901 attached to the 1st Battalion DLI. In South Africa khaki cotton covers were fitted over the easily-seen white helmets. The distinctive cloth badge on the khaki cover shows that the wearer was a Volunteer rather than a Regular soldier. For further reading, 'Faithful: The Story of The Durham Light Infantry' by S G P Ward (1962) has a detailed chapter on the DLI during the Boer War. Acc No: 1280