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Transcript of a Letter from Sergeant Robert Constantine to his Brother, Jim, 4 September 1916

Please remember that all transcripts show what is written on the page; spelling and grammatical mistakes are not corrected.

(D/DLI 7/137/51)

"Tuesday 
Sep 4/1916

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. By
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, theres 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
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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"