The Plugstreet Archaeological Project The 13th Battlion, Durham Light Infantry Sponsored by We are currently seeking a sponsor for this website as it follows the progress of the excavations on the battlefield, with contributions from established historians and well known experts, as the team attempt to match the historical evidence and family history to the archaeology on the ground. Please contact us for more details. If you enjoy this website please consider making a donation towards the costs of the project.

The 13th Battlion, Durham Light Infantry was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 joined the 68th Brigade in 23rd Division, alongside the 12th Battalion. They moved to Aldershot, Hampshire in November, then to Willesborough, Kent in February 1915 and went on in May to Bramshott. The Battalion went overseas in 1915 landing at Boulogne on the 26th of August. At the Battle of Messines the Battalion was on the northern edge of the ridge close to the mines at Hill 60 and The Caterpillar, the 69th and 70th Brigades lead the inital attack with the 68th Brigade following to strengthen the possitions gained.

Those who served with The 13th Battlion, Durham Light Infantry at the Battle of Messines. Allan F. C. Lt. Appleton Jack K. Pte. d.8th Jun 1917 Bailey   William Bainbridge Pte. Brown P. A. Lt. Clark   John Henry Pte. Craddock  MM, DCM. Harry Sjt. d.20th Sep 1917 Golder W. Lt. Greenwood L. M. Mjr. Pratt J. Pte. Sandall D. Pte. Sullivan   John Arthur Pte d.18th Oct 1917 Youens   Frederick 2nd Lt. d.7th July 1917

Beneath Hill 60 [DVD] BENEATH HILL 60 tells the extraordinary true story of Oliver Woodward, the legendary Australian metal scientist. In 1916, Woodward faced the most difficult decision, ultimately having to separate from his new young love for the deadly carnage of the Western Front. On treacherous territory, behind the German enemy lines, Woodward and his secret platoon of Australian tunnelers face a suicidal battle to defend a leaking, tunnel system. A tunnel packed with enough high explosives to change the course of the War. More information on: Beneath Hill 60 [DVD]

Hill 60: Ypres (Battleground Europe) Nigel Cave The shell-ravaged landscape of Hill 60, some three miles south east of Ypres, conceals a labyrinth of tu nnels and underground workings. This book offers a guide to the memorials, cemeteries and museums at the site ' More information on: Hill 60: Ypres (Battleground Europe)

Beneath Hill 60 [Paperback] Will Davies 'Ten seconds, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one - fire! Down goes the firing switch. At first, nothing. Then from deep down there comes a low rumble, and it as if the world is spliting apart...' On 7th June 1917, nineteen massive mines exploded beneath Messines Ridge near Ypres. The largest man-made explosion in history up until that point shattered the landscape and smashed open the German lines. Ten thousand German soldiers died. Two of the mines - at Hill 60 and the Caterpillar - were fired by men of the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, comprising miners and engineers rather than parade-ground soldiers. Drawing on the diaries of one of the key combatants, "Benealth Hill 60" tells the little-known, devastatingly brutal true story of this subterranean war waged beneath the Western Front - a stygian battle-ground where men drowned in viscous chalk, suffocated in the blue gray clay, choked on poisonous air or died in the darkness, caught up up in vicious hand-to-han More information on: Beneath Hill 60 [Paperback]

If you know of anyone who served with this unit at the Battle of Messines, please complete the form below so that they can be remembered. Required fields are marked *                      Surname:             * Of the veteran.. First Name:          Middle Name(s): Nick Name:        Rank:                  Galantry Awards: DSO, MID etc. Service Number: Service:               * British Army/AIF/NZ/RFC/Civilian. etc. Unit:                     Regiment/Squadron etc. Sub unit:              Battalion/Section/Flight/etc. Home:                 prewar address/town/village Date of Death,     if during the war. Web Link,           If you have a webpage about your relative please provide the address. Please tell us about your relative: name of submitter:* Your name. email:                   @ Please type in the code shown here:   If you are unable to read the code please click here. If you have any photographs please scan or digitally photograph your orginials and send a copy by email attachment. NB. All entries are checked manually before appearing online to prevent spam and inappropriate content. There will be a delay before your submission appears on the website.