6714, Private, 1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment).
Missing in Action on the 15th June 1915 aged 28.
Frederick was born on 25th April 1889, the son of David Mardling of 19 Letchmore Road. He was a Mechanic by trade.
Private Frederick Mardling
In June 1911 Fred and his younger brother, Harry, sailed on the S.S. Victoria from Liverpool to Quebec in the hope of making a new life on the Canadian continent. When the Great War broke out, like many emigrants, he wanted to be involved in the fight for his country. So, on the 22nd September 1914 he applied for service in the Canadian Army.
At 1.30pm on 15th June 1915 the Battalion moved into front line positions East of Givenchy in the Somme sector. By 3pm they were ready to attack the German forward positions but there began a tense three hour wait before the order to attack was given. Then, at 6pm, the Battalion attacked the German front line but it soon became apparent that all was not well. The flanks of the Battalion had become exposed and they were forced to retreat back to the British Lines. They were then subjected to a furious German counter attack which resulted in very heavy casualties.
Although the German counter attack was not successful it had resulted in many casualties amongst the Canadians. It was not until 1am on the 16th June that the Battalion was withdrawn from the line, after having evacuated their wounded and buried their dead. They then returned to their billets at Preol, from where they had marched earlier in the day.
He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Vimy Ridge Memorial to the Canadian Forces.