AN EXHIBITION commemorating the role of the Durham Light Infantry during the First World War will be unveiled next week.

Durham Light Infantry Goes to War at the Durham Light Museum and Art Gallery is being staged in partnership with the National Army Museum (NAM) and will open on Thursday (July 10). The display draws on a host of artefacts, photos and stories.

The DLI almost tripled in size during the first few months of the War, increasing from five battalions to fourteen by the end of 1914.

Putting this experience into context of the national army recruitment drive, the exhibition will display the regional recruitment posters and will also reveal the story of the formation of local Pals Battalions, such as the Durham, Tyneside and Newcastle Pals.

The display also explore the story of the regiment’s training at camps including Aldershot, in Hampshire, Frensham in Surrey and Halton Park in Lancashire - and follows the early adventures of the 2nd Battalion DLI, who arrived at the front in mid-September.

The exhibition will also shed light on the key role the DLI played at home.

Drawing on poignant objects, it brings to life the individual stories of soldiers, including a message in a bottle written by Private Thomas Hughes to his wife on the way to the front on September 9, 1914. Pte Hughes was killed in action just days later after arriving

in France.

NAM director general Janice Murray said: "Peppered with stories showing how the Durham Light Infantry played its own important part in the events of the First World War, the exhibition untangles the complex war experience of the county."

Gillian Robinson, DLI manager and curator Gillian Robinson added: "We're pleased to have been able to partner with the NAM to realise this exhibition, set to add a powerful string to our bow of First World War commemoration activities."

The exhibition is included with standard museum entry cost: adults £4 concessions £3 and children £2.

For more information visit www.dlidurham.org.uk/