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Robert Constantine (1888-1916)


Sergeant with 9th DLI killed at the Somme


Robert Constantine was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne to James, a tramway clerk, and Alice Constantine. His family lived in Westgate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne throughout his childhood [1891, 1901, 1911 census]. Robert Constantine had five brothers and two sisters [1901 census]. By the time of the 1911 census Robert Constantine was married to his wife, Dorothy, and was employed as a law clerk.

Robert Constantine was deployed for France on 20 April 1915 as a corporal with the 9th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI); staying en route in London:

‘Arrived in London Thursday night but when we got to Victoria Station all boats to France were stopped so we had to stay here today and where do you think we stayed today? In Buckingham Palace and we had a good time and I only hope the boats are stopped tonight’.

When he writes Buckingham Palace, it is more likely that he means Wellington Barracks which line one side of Birdcage Walk at the corner opposite the Palace. Throughout his service, Robert Constantine wrote frequent letters home to his younger brother James, his parents, and his younger sister Alice. In these letters there is evidence that he also wrote to his wife, whom he addressed as ‘Doris’. Constantine also frequently mentions meeting up or contacting soldiers ‘Will’ and ‘Spug’, who are probably two of his younger brothers: William and Percy.

In his letters, Robert Constantine shows a consistent interest and sympathy with the situation on the home front for his family, writing on 11 April 1916:

‘Just a few lines hoping you have all got over your fright the Zepps gave you… it’s a good job we managed to bring one of them down’.

Robert Constantine’s letters trace his initial optimism and growing disillusionment with life in the trenches, detailing the tough and perilous conditions his battalion faced. On 29 September 1915 he wrote:

‘Well so long Kidder and buck up all at home I expect it’s all over by Xmas and I’ll together with Will and Spug will have a dinner at home at Xmas’,

In his last letter to James Constantine on 4 September 1916, Robert Constantine wrote:

‘I am getting properly fed up and sick of the dam job but it’s no use grumbling I’ll have to stick it.’

Robert Constantine was promoted to acting sergeant in Spring 1916, and died on 15 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.

Birth date: 1888

Death date: 15-Sep-1916

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England

Employment: Law clerk

Family: James Constantine (Father)
Alice Constantine (Mother)
James Constantine (Brother)
Alice Constantine (Sister)
Annie Constantine (Sister)
William Constantine (Brother)
Henry ‘Harry’ Constantine (Brother)
Arthur Constantine (Brother)
Percy Constantine (Brother)
Dorothy Constantine (possibly wife)
Robert Constantine (possibly son)

Military service:

‘B’ Company 1/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Corporal, promoted to Acting Sergeant c. April 1916

Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Book of Remembrance, St Oswald’s Church, Walkergate, Newcastle (North East War Memorials Project http://www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=9757)

Gender: Male

Contributed by Jessica Rome, Durham