In Gateshead East Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

459343 Driver
R. Dunham
Royal Engineers
3rd July 1919 age 32

Brenda McMahon has submitted the following :-

Robert Dunham was born in 1888 at Carr Hill, Gateshead the son of Benjamin and Margaret Dunham. In 1891 the family were at Windy Nook, in 1901 at Pottery Cottages, St Anthony, Byker.

In 1909 Robert married Lydia Howell.  In 1911 Robert, a Grocer’s Assistant at a Co-operative Store, was living at 25 Tyne Terrace, Byker with wife Lydia and his 10-month old daughter Gladys.

Robert enlisted and joined the Royal Engineers (1780). Later his service number changed to 459343. He went to France 07/08/1915.

Lydia at the time of his death was living at 12 Worcester Street, Gateshead.

His headstone was of grey Rubislaw granite which was obtained from Spittal Grainte Works in Aberdeen. The foundation and erection was undertaken by Morrisons of Cemetery Road, Gateshead. His relative Miss G.M. Dunham of 43 Tarset Street, Battlefield, Newcastle was involved with the work.

Robert’s brother Charles also died in service 4451 Private Charles Waistell Dunham serving with the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers died 19/08/1915.

Acknowledgments: Geordie at War Project

The name of Robert Dunham is not found on any Gateshead memorial but both C and R. Dunham are remembered at Walker on W2.06