ERRINGTON, Frederick Wilmer

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Kingston, Ontario
Regimental Number
348450
Rank
Sergeant
Date of Death
Age at Death
20 years 4 months
Biographical Summary

RANK:                                Gunner
DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             Canadian Field Artillery - 3rd Brigade
                                             9th Howitzer Battery.
                                             Canadian Artillery Corps
SERVICE NO:                   348450
RESIDENCE:                    Toronto – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            February 5, 1897
                                             Morris Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           June 4, 1917                         20 years     4 months
CEMETERY:                     Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension – Barlin –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             II     B     44
PARENTS:                         Mr. David and Olivia Errington – Dungannon – Ontario
Occupation:                        Stenographer                        Religion:     Methodist
Enlistment:                         Kingston – November 10, 1915
Enlistment Age:                 18 years     10 months

Frederick was a graduate of the Wingham Business College which was run by Mr. George Spotton – Principal.
When he enlisted, he joined the Artillery Corps and prior to going overseas with the Canadian Horse Artillery he had been promoted to Sergeant. Once overseas he took courses in signalling and gunnery and was then promoted to the rank of Gunner.
Sergeant Errington arrived overseas in Liverpool on October 6, 1916 and then in the month of March 1917 went overseas into France.
The 9th Howitzer Battery was made up of 5 Officers, 191 other ranks and 169 horses. Each howitzer battery had 6  4.5” guns. These guns accounted for 25% of the Canadian Corps artillery pieces.
These guns were drawn by 6 horses and had a limber and wagon attached to them. These artillery pieces were used against weaker enemy defences, enfiladling fire onto communication trenches, for barrage work especially at night and for wire cutting of the enemy wire when the field guns could not reach. These guns had an effective range of 7,300 yards.
The 3rd Brigade was preparing to move to new co-ordinates and the 9th Howitzer Battery had 600 rounds. These rounds varied from high explosive, shrapnel, incendiary, smoke and star shells.
The weather was fair and cool with good visibility. During the night of June 3/4th the Brigade was planning to begin the move to Vimy in support of an upcoming operation involving the 4th Canadian Division. During the night one section of each Battery would make the move.
By the night of June 4/5th the 9th Howitzer Battery was in its new position
The weather during the night of June 3/4th had been fair and warm. The night was moonlit and very clear when an enemy aircraft flying very low flew directly over the 9th Howitzer Battery and dropped 6 bombs in the midst of the column causing 27 casualties. Gunner Errington was one of the men wounded in the attack.
Casualties were 27 men killed or wounded and a high number of horses were casualties.
A memorial service for Gunner Errington was held at the Dungannon Methodist Church on July 29, 1917. 
After being wounded he was immediately moved to No. 6 British Casualty Clearing Station - Bruay where he died later in the day from his wounds.