Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Errington was born in 1884 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, the eldest of 7 children, 3 sons and 4 daughters. His father George Errington of Heworth, Gateshead was born in 1858 and married at Gateshead in 1884 to Elizabeth Ann O’Neil born 1862 at Felling. George was employed as a joiner in 1891 whilst they were living at 2, High Street, East Jarrow. William’s mother died when he was 3 years old, during the 2nd quarter (Apr/ May/Jun)1898 in the district of South Shields, this may have been during childbirth or due to postpartum complications as it coincides with the birth of a daughter Theresa, May 11th 1898. After the death of his wife George returned to Heworth taking up residence at 11, Brandling Terrace, Felling, finding work as a joiner/carpenter, William (16) was an apprentice joiner, he and his father were the family’s only means of support. By 1911 George had taken into his care his widowed mother and sister, only Elizabeth (19), Jane (17) and Robert (15) were still living at home, Elizabeth and Robert were employed as a draper’s assistant and an errand boy respectively. I have been unable to trace the whereabouts of William in 1911.
On the outbreak of war William Errington enlisted at Gateshead assigned as Sapper 63958 to the Royal Engineers and transferred to the 154th Field Coy. After initial training April 14th 1915 they joined the 37th Division and a week later were moved to Salisbury Plain where after final training they were inspected by H.M. King George V. The first draft of men embarked for France July 30th 1915 with the British Expeditionary Force, William was not amongst them, he did not depart until September 1st 1915. Sapper Errington joined his unit on the battlefields of the Somme and the Royal Engineers were in a support role at the Battle of the Ancre, November 13th-18th 1916.
Sapper 63958 William Errington Royal Engineers was killed in action November 15th 1916 and interred at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France, grave O. II. E. 1. He was 32/33 years old.
His father George received all monies due to his son and his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 11 Brandling Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. He paid 10 shillings 2 pence for an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “May Perpetual Light Shine On Him R.I.P.”.
William's brother George Errington Jnr volunteered to serve during WW1 assigned to the Durham Light Infantry serving in France. He was transferred to Class Z and demobilised November 9th 1919. Recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George Errington Snr of 26, Collingwood Gardens, Felling, died at Bensham Hospital, Gateshead, County Durham, October 28th 1941. Probate was granted April 20th 1942 to John Samuel Winspear joiner and Ann Budge (wife of Donald Chisholm Budge). Effects in the sum of 66 pounds 18 shillings and 3 pence.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 22/12/1916:
"Sapper William Errington, Royal Engineers, killed in action on Nov. 15th, in his 33rd year. Son of Geo. and the late Elizabeth Errington, 11 Brandling Terrace, Felling."
He is remembered at Felling on F32.06 and at Whickham on W86.07
