Hamsteels St. John

In loving memory of
FREDERICK
The Beloved Husband Of
PHYLLIS CONSTANTINE
Of Cornsay Colliery
Who Died April 18th 1912
Aged 60 Years
Also
ALBERT Pte. 13th D.L.I.
Son Of The Above
Who Was Killed In
Action In France
October 10th 1918
Aged 24 Years
Also Of The Above
PHYLLIS CONSTANTINE
Who Died 31st March 1944

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Ernest Constantine born at Cornsay, County Durham, one of 7 children of whom only 4 survived, was the 2nd born of 3 sons and had an elder sister. His father Frederick Constantine born 1849 in the district of Leyburn, Yorkshire, having migrated to the north east met Phyllis Bousfield born 1858 at Oakenshaw, County Durham, whom he married in the district of Durham in 1880. In 1881 they were living with their new born daughter Margaret Ann at 21, John Street, Meadowfield Place, Brandon where Frederick was employed at the Pipe Works (Sanitary) as a finisher. Their son James Frederick was also born at Brandon in 1883 before they moved to Cornsay Colliery where Ernest was born in 1886 and Albert in 1894. They settled at 15, Liddle Street, Cornsay, Frederick found employment as a colliery labourer, however by 1901 he was a clay pot maker at a brick yard and it was his sons James (18) and Ernest (14) who were miners below ground, Albert listed as 6 years of age was a scholar. By 1911 they were living at 137, Chadwick Street, Margaret Ann and James Frederick were married, Ernest was employed as a waggonway-man, Albert a landing lad, their father was now retired. Frederick Constantine died, April 18th 1912. Although the family tombstone states he was 60 years of age he was in fact 63 years old.

On the outbreak of war Ernest enlisted and was assigned as Gunner 167372 to the Royal Garrison Artillery initially stationed in England until his departure to France after January 1916 and having served until the conclusion of the Great War, was the recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

His brother Albert was killed in action October 10th 1918 whereas once demobilised Ernest returned to his civilian occupation as a coal miner. He did not marry and was living at Lanchester, County Durham, in 1939, supporting his mother Phyllis.

Phyllis Constantine nee Bousfield died March 31st 1944 aged in her 85th year. Ernest Constantine died aged 74 years in 1964, district of Durham Central.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.