Person

Though born in Stanley, Robert Castling was working as a coal miner and living in Annfield Plain with his parents, when he enlisted as a Territorial soldier in the 8th Battalion DLI in 1913, aged 17 years. When the First World War began in August 1914, 8 DLI, together with the other four DLI Territorial Force battalions, was embodied and began training for service overseas.

Private Castling went to France in April 1915 with his battalion. In November 1915, he was court martialled for disobeying an order and received 14 days Field Punishment No.1, which involved his being shackled in irons in the open to the wheel of a gun or wagon for two hours a day. This, however, did not prevent Robert Castling being promoted to Lance Corporal and then Corporal in March 1917. That same month he was wounded in the shoulder and evacuated to a hospital in England.

When he returned to active service in France in July 1917, Robert Castling was posted to the 2nd Battalion DLI and was promoted to Sergeant that December. On 21 March 1918, during the German attack in Picardy, 2 DLI was almost destroyed in action at Marchies, near Bapaume. During the fighting, Sergeant Castling “after being driven out of his post by overwhelming odds… reformed his section and retook it, driving the enemy well back”. For his “fine courage and determination” Robert Castling was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and received a £20 gratuity. However, before he could be presented with his medal, he was killed in action on 13 April 1918. Robert Castling is buried in Polygon Wood Cemetery at Zonnebeke in Belgium.

Where to look for more information about this person:

His medals are in the DLI Collection. https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/dlimedals/

http://dlimuseum.durham.gov.uk/pgFullBiography.aspx?BioId=10825&BioSurname=Castling&AZ=Y

London Gazette, 3 September 1918: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30879/supplement/10278

Commonwealth War Graves Commission: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480011/CASTLING,%20R

North East War Memorials Project: http://www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=6275

Civil Parish: Stanley

Death date: 13-Apr-1918

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: Stanley.
11 South View, Annfield Plain.

Employment: Miner

Family: Parents: Albert & Mary Castling.

Military service:

Served as 2088 and 300173 Private with 8th Battalion DLI, later served with the 2nd Battalion DLI as a Sergeant. Awarded the DCM.

Medal(s): Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office