Additions will be checked before being published on the website and where possible will be forwarded to the person who submitted the original entries. Your contact details will not be forwarded, but they can send a reply via this messaging system.
please scroll down to send a message
Sgt. Robert Constantine
British Army 9th Btn. Durham Light Infantry.
(d.15th Sep 1916)
My Great Uncle Robert Constantine was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1887 and married in 1910. He enlisted at Gateshead before the outbreak of war in 1914. In April 1915, he went to France and fought in the Second Battle of Ypres.
Great Uncle Robert wrote many letters home from the war including this transcript of a letter to my Granddad.
Tuesday, 4th Sep 1916. Dear Jim, Received yours dated Aug[ust] 27th . Yes I got the parcel safe. I haven’t seen anything of Will since we left the north and he’s lying a good way from me just now, but they’ll probably be moving further up here when they go into action. Boy we haven’t half been getting put through it lately. We have now been [in crossed out] out of the line about 3 weeks but we are training heavy to take part in the push & I am only wishing the war was finished before we go up, but no such luck, never mind I’ll just have to take my chance the same has all the other boys. I expect you’ll have an idea what part we are at now lets know & I’ll write & tell you if you are right, there's an awful bombardment raging while I am writing this so some poor chaps are going through it hot. I had a letter from Percy & he was telling me about Robbie Rogerson & all the young uns being out here, the Tyneside Irish are down here but I’ve not come across any of them yet. Poor Dougall called up at last & in the dandy ninth, what does he think, I’m afraid they’ll all be wanted out here.
We are getting awful grub just now & I don’t know how I am sticking it & the small place we are in at present you can hardly buy anything fancy 1½ Fr[ancs] (1s/3d [1 shilling and 3 pence, or 6p]) for a loaf of bread & tin stuff is awful dear, sardines 10d [10 pence, or 4p] a tin, same in England for 2½d [2½ pence, or 1p], salmon 1s/8d [1 shilling and 8 pence, or 8p] in England 8d & 9d [8 pence and 9 pence, or 3-3½ p] a tin, eggs 2½d [2½ pence, or 1p] each boxed at that, the sooner this is over & I’m back home the better. I am getting properly fed up & sick of the damn job, but its no use grumbling I’ll have to stick it. Well Jim, I think this is all at present. Hope your let[ter]s have more news. Hoping all at home are keeping well. Remember me to all. With love to all, From your affect[ionate] brother Bob
Lets know if you get the card I am sending you safe, its for Alice. God Bless you all. Cheer up
Robert killed in action on 15th of September 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial near Albert, on the Somme.
