Durham Light Infantry memorial unveiled in Staffordshire

The memorial includes a statue of a DLI bugler dressed in the combat uniform of the Korean War

A memorial to the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) military regiment has been unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The Alrewas site acknowledges "the personal sacrifices made by the armed and civil services of this country".

Sunday morning's service of dedication followed an appeal started in 2011 to raise £75,000 for the DLI memorial.

It features a larger-than-life statue of a DLI bugler dressed in the combat uniform of the Korean War.

The statue is based on a photograph of the then 18-year-old Colour Sergeant Brandon Mulvey, from Chester-le-Street.

'Huge sacrifices'

The memorial will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices of all who served in the regiment.

DLI trustee Brigadier Robert MacGregor-Oakford, who served in Korea, said: "The DLI made a major and almost unique contribution to the defence of its country for over 200 years.

"DLI soldiers and their families endured huge sacrifices in doing so, with 12,000 losing their lives in the First World War."

The appeal to raise money for the memorial was launched after two former DLI soldiers visited the arboretum and discovered the regiment was not represented there.

The Alrewas site houses about 50,000 trees and more than 240 memorials.