John William Sharman
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John William was the son of George and Rosetta Sharman (née Woods). His father George was born in Ashby, Lincolnshire, in about 1846 and his mother Rosetta was born in Somerby, Leicestershire, in 1851. They were married in 1883 (reg. J/F/M Basford) and had at least ten children, five of whom were born before their marriage. The eldest child, Alfred, was born in Whissendine, Rutland, in 1869, birth registered Fred Woods. His siblings were born in Radford, Nottingham, and with one exception were registered in the surname Sharman: Emily Wood b. 1874, Olive b. 1876, Ethel b. 1878, Charlotte Sharman Woods birth registered 1881 (J/F/M) d. 1883, Francis (Frank) George b. 1884, John William b. 1887, Harold b. 1889, Florence b. 1892 and Wilfred Charles b. 1895. Rosetta Woods and her son Alfred (2) were living in Whissendine, Rutland, with her mother Rebecca Hardy and three of her siblings in 1871. However, by 1881 she was living at 42 Prospect Street, Radford, with George Sharman, an excavating labourer, and their five children: Alfred (described as George's 'natural son'), Emily, Olive (named Eliza on the census), Ethel and Charlotte (1 month) who died two years later. The census recorded the surnames of Rosetta and the children as 'Woods'. By 1891 George, a coal miner, and Rosetta were living at Forster Avenue, Forster Street, Radford. Also in the home were six of their seven children: Emily and Olive who were lace hands, Ethel a cigar maker, Frank, John William and Harold. The eldest son, Alfred, has not been traced after 1881. In 1901 the family was recorded at 22 Trafalgar Terrace, Radford. Only Frank a French polisher, John a milk seller, Harold, Florence and Wilfred were still living with their parents. The three eldest daughters were married: Emily to Alfred J Hardy at Radford St Peter in 1898, Olive to John Newbold in 1901 and Ethel to George Truman in 1900. George, who was still working as a miner, and Rosetta, a charwoman, were living at 81 Miall Street, Radford, in 1911. John a milk seller, Harold a packing case maker, Florence a hair nets cutter and Wilfred a grocery packer were still living with their parents. The three married sisters were living in the Radford/Hyson Green area of Nottingham. Frank had enlisted in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Portsmouth Division (12129) on 19 October 1902 but joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class (advanced Stoker 1st Class 10 July 1907) on a 12 year engagement on 7 November 1906. He served continuously to March 1919 when he was discharged shore on demobilization. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 7 March 1919 (PO/B7893). Frank married Kate Bradley at Radford St Peter in July 1919. George and Rosetta continued to live at 81 Miall Street until their deaths in 1914 and 1916 respectively and their unmarried daughter Florence was still living there in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. She was described on the register as 'incapacitated permanently' (d. 1965). Two notices of John's death in 1917 were published in the local paper. One was from his wife, Hetty Elizabeth - no record has yet been traced of his marriage - the other from his sisters [Emily Hardy, Olive Newbold, Ethel Truman, Florence Sharman] and brothers [?Alfred, Francis, Harold, Wilfred], all of whom were serving. Apart from Frank who joined the Royal Navy before the war, Harold served in the Royal Field Artillery and Wilfred probably served in the LcDLS? (376696). At least one of their brothers-in-law, George Truman, also served. Harold attested on 11 December 1915 and was posted to the RFA (Gunner). He served with the BEF France in 1917 (158 Brigade) and suffered a wound to his left arm in July that year; he was discharged on 5 May 1918, 'no longer physically fit for war service.' Harold had married Edith Gertrude Bonser in April 1911 and he was discharged to the marital home at Broad Oak Terrace, Rose Street, Nottingham. George Truman, Ethel's husband, served with the 7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (2675). Service record: Home 18 Sept 1914-24 June 1915 (280d). BEF France 25 June 1915-7 July 1916 (1y 10d). Home 8 July 1916-17 September 1917 (1y 72d). He was wounded twice, in July 1915 when he incurred an injury to his left shoulder and on 1 July 1916 when he suffered an injury to his left thigh. Granted furlough 20-29 January 1917, George was discharged from the army later that year, 'physically unfit for war service' (Silver War Badge 292188). He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal).
1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) John William Sharman was one of four members of the Battalion killed on 17 February, the others being Privates G Addison, F Makin and E Slack. John is buried at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery Saulty, France (grave ref. V.A.8). History of 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters: The Battalion was in line in front of Fonquevillers at the end of 1916, beginning of 1917, with intervals in support and in billets at Souastre. According to the Roll of Honour in a history of the 1/8th Battalion, John William was one of four members of the Battalion killed on 17 February, the others being Privates G Addison, F Makin and E Slack. 'The most unpleasant experience we ourselves had was on February 16th [16th/17th], when we relieved the 7th Battalion [Sherwood Foresters] for the last time in this sector. The relief itself was carried out under difficulties, owing to a certain amount of gas shelling, but later on the Hun sent over perfect showers of gas bombs, and absolutely deluged the front and support lines, whilst he also fired a considerable number of gas shells into the village ... It was our first experience of any real gas shell bombardment and partly owing to this and partly to the high concentration of the gas used we suffered heavy casualties, four men being killed and 24 wounded.' (History of the 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919, pp165-166, Captain WCC Weetmman MC CdeG.) Note: 305742 Private Edgar Slack is also buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery (V.A.8). He is commemorated on Radford All Souls War Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC - History of Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery (extract): 'The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from the following small military cemeteries [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of George and Rosetta Sharman, of Nottingham.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Thy will be done' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths,’ 4 January 1916: ‘Sharman. On January 2nd, at 81, Miall-street, suddenly, Rosetta, widow of the late George Sharman, in her 64th year. Peace after pain. Re-united.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour,’ 12 March 1917. ‘Sharman. Killed in action, February 15th (sic), 1917, John William Sharman, Sherwood Foresters, of 81, Miall-street, aged 30. A noble life laid down. Dearly loved by his sisters, and brothers (all with the colours).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour,’ 13 March 1917: ‘Sharman. Killed in action, February 15th (sic), 1917, Private John William Sharman, Sherwood Foresters, age 30. Rest in Peace. Ever remembered. Wife Hetty Elizabeth Sharman.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: no record of marriage traced. WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his sister, Florence Sharman.
