Norman Alfred Constantine

Norman Alfred Constantine

Personal Information
Date of Birth	17 Aug 1884
Place of Birth	Wallaroo, South Australia
Death	10 Dec 1953
Place of Death	York, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	31 years, 4 months
Description	5'9½" (1.77m) tall ; 143 lbs 64.864 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Accountant
Religion	Congregational
Address	Keysbrook, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Son , Mr Charles Edward Constantine
Military Information
Reg Number	29466
Date of Enlistment	30 Dec 1915
Rank	Corporal
Unit/Formation	9th FAB, 118th Field Artillery (Howitzer) Battery
Date of Embarkation	3 Oct 1916 ‒ 19 Nov 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A60 Aeneas
Date of Return	27 Jul 1917 ‒ 18 Sep 1917
Ship Returned On	HMAT A64 Demosthenes
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Keysbrook Roll of Honour
Medals	British War Medal

Pre War

In 1901 he was working for the Department of Railways and Tramways as a cadet. On 27 Dec 1906 his services with the railways were terminated as he was absent without leave.

On 31 Jan 1907 in Kalgoorlie Norm married Amelia Ann Baxter. Amelia died 8 Dec 1915 leaving Norm a widower with 4 children when he enlisted. Children were Olive Marjorie (1907 - 1984); Charles Edward (1909 - 1966); Lawrence Norman (7 Jul 1911 - 24 Aug 1943); Arthur Leslie (1913 - ? ); and Norma (1913-1916).

Electoral Roll entries: 1910 Raleigh avenue North Fremantle, labourer; 1914 Wright street, South Fremantle, clerk

War Service

On entry to Blackboy Hill camp, Victor was allocated to the West Australian Artillery reinforcement draft. As such he was sent to Maribyrnong in Victoria to finish his training. For eight days in June 1916 Victor was in an isolation camp at Ascot Vale in Victoria. On 31 Aug 1916 Victor was promoted Corporal and he was transferred to the 9th Field Artillery Brigade's 118th Howitzer Battery, travelling with them to England, by departing Melbourne aboard HMAT A60 Aeneas on 2 Oct 1916 and disembarking in Plymouth on 19 Nov 1916.

On 8 Jan 1917 he and his Brigade proceeded overseas to France from Folkestone on the SS Princess Henriette. On 30 May 1917 he was appointed acting Sergeant, but on 26 Jun 1917 he disembarked in Southampton from France, reverting to Corporal on leaving his unit, made necessary by his suffering with Otitis Media (severe middle ear inflammation). Examined by a Medical Board at Verne Citadel, Norman was found to unfit for front line service.

He joined the No.2 Command Depot in Weymouth to prepare for his return to Australia and a medical discharge. On arrival in Fremantle he was admitted to the 8th Australian General Hospital in Fremantle on 18 Sep 1917 with Otitis Media and a dilated heart. Released soon after he had been before the Medical Board on 11 Oct 1917. Norman was discharged by the 5th Military District on 26 Oct 1917 as permanently unfit.

Granted a pension of 34/6 per fortnight from 27 Oct 1917; daughter Olive Marjorie receives 10/- pf, son Charles Edward 7/6 pf, son Norman Alfred 5/- pf., and son Arthur Leslie also 5/- pf.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1921 at 26 Wellington street, labourer; 1925 Bruce Rock, clerk; 1931 - 1937 at 7 Oakley street, civil servant;

A Coronial Inquest held at York on 3 Feb 1954 found that Norm had died of shock and haemorrhage from self inflicted wounds. His son Lawrence served as WX10384 Sapper with the 2nd/6th Field Company Engineers, and died 24 Aug 1943 as a Japanese Prisoner of War on the Burma Railway.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Memorial