Name
George Sharp
1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/05/1917
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
13821
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TANK CEMETERY, GUEMAPPE
Special Memorial A. 39. Buried near this spot.
France
Headstone Inscription
Their glory shall not be blotted out
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
George was born in 1884 in Charlton, nr Hitchin and his parents were Jesse and Lucy Jane Sharp.
In 1891 the family were living in Charlton, nr. Hitchin. Present were both parents: Jesse (41) and Lucy Jane (38). with x working as a brewer’s labourer. Their children were: Priscilla Jane (15), Mary Louisa (13), Rose Sophia (11), George (6), Albert (4), Kate (2) and Ernest at three months.
In 1901 the family were still living in Charlton and Jesse still a brewer’s labourer. Priscilla, Mary and Rose were all absent and the others all listed, with George Sharp, now 16 and working as a horse carter on farm.
He married Sarah Gray (b 19/9/1883) in 1905 and it seems that they continued to live in Charlton, as their first child, Harriet Lily May was born there in 1906. They had more children: Rose Irene. born 1907, Jesse (1908).
In 1911 his family were living in Charlton. Present were both parents, George (26) and Sarah (27), George working as a carter on a farm. The census recorded they had been married for 5 years with 3 children, all living. All the children listed above were present.
Later, Louisa Mary was born in 1911 and George Francis in 1915.
A local newspaper reported the George had enlisted in September 1914 and before then was employed at the Great Northern Railway locomotive works.
Officially recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin, however Hitchin was probably given as the nearest large (or postal) tone and it should read Charlton, nr. Hitchin.
Wartime Service
His medal rolls index card record him as first 13801 in the 6th Bedfords and then 13821 6th Bedfords., but this was noted as a correction.
He entered France on 24 August 1915 and was promoted to Lance Corporal later in 1915. On July 16, 1916, in the right arm and foot and was returned to England to convalesce. After recovering he returned to France in March or April 1916
Promoted to corporal after Easter 1917 and killed in May.
The news of his death was conveyed in a sympathetic letter from his Army Chaplain, A. G. Parkham to his wife, saying that George was killed and describing his death: "During the morning the trenches which deceased's company was holding were heavily shelled by the enemy, and he and Lance Corporal W. Draper (*1) with killed instantly by a shell bursting in the trench. Both were buried during the night in the British cemetery on the battlefield, with all respect and reverence they could pay two men who had nobody given their lives for their country. This cemetery like others on the battlefields, will be preserved and kept sacred forever by the French government. Permanent memorials will be erected, with the names of the brave men who lie there inscribed upon them. I have heard how universally he was liked and valued, and how greatly his death will be felt. May God comfort you and consoled you in your great trouble.”
He was buried in a British Cemetery on the battlefield. His grave is Row A, Grave 39, which is part of Tank Cemetery in France, is marked "Buried near this spot". His person inscription off their glory shall not be bolted out was ordered by his widow while living at 16 Kendale Rd, Hitchin, Herts.
Additional Information
After his death £5 7s 11d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow on 17 August 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £13 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 22 October 1919.
His pension cards record his widow as his next of kin, initially living in Charlton. She was first awarded a grant if £8 on 23 June 1917 and then a pension of 32s 6d a week from 10 December 1917 for her and their children: Harriet Lily May (b 1/5/1906), Rose Irene (b 21/10/1907), Jesse (b 17/11/1908), Louisa Mary (6/June 1911) and George Francis (b 28/4/1915)
*1 Jabez William Draper, of the same regiment and battalion and buried somewhere in the same cemetery.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
