British military regiment Durham Light Infantry (DLI) is to auction a great deal of unused, ornamental silverware that would once have graced the officers' mess.
On March 27, punch bowls, rose bowls, meat skewers and several sets of knives and forks are to go under the hammer in Yorkshire, UK, in order to raise funds for the creation of a memorial statue.
 Men of the Durham Light Infantry at the second battle of Ypres – some 13,000 “Durhams” died during the first world war |
The collection is expected to sell for between £40,000 ($59,991) and £60,000 ($89,992), with a late Victorian punch bowl, believed to be worth in the region of £2,000 ($2,998), the predicted top lot.
Most items carry DLI crests and engraved inscriptions.
The DLI was an infantry regiment of the British army from 1881 until 1968, and is often understood as a forerunner to the Territorial Army.
DLI trustee, Colonel Arthur Charlton, comments: "What we would like to do is ensure that everyone who served in the regiment is aware of the auction and gets the opportunity to buy a piece of their history."
Julian Thompson, director of the auction house presiding over the sale, concurs: "There will be ex-DLI soldiers all over the world who may want a keepsake as well as collectors of military memorabilia."
Profits from the sale will go towards the creation of a bronze memorial statue that will stand in Durham City.
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