Private William Sharpe. 

15908 11th East Lancashire Regiment.

Killed in Action 1st July 1916, aged 20.

William was born 7 May 1896 the son of William Sharp and Sarah Jane Robertshaw. In the 1901 census the family were living at 36 Hinton St, Burnley. William 40 weaver born in Manchester,  Sarah 35 born in Todmorden, James Edward 15, Mary 13, Mabel 9, Rose Ann 6, William 5 and a lodger Charlotte Brierley 20. All the children were born in Burnley.

By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to 74 Helena St, Burnley. William now a widower 51,  Honora 24 weaver, Mabel 19 weaver, Rose Ann 16 weaver and William weaver.

From the Burnley News dated 13 May 1916: BURNLEY "PALS".  HOW PRIVATE CLARK WAS KILLED. FIVE BURIED BY A SHELL.

The Burnley "Pals" have been engaged in heavy fighting and news has come to hand of one having being killed and another wondered.

 The soldier who unfortunately lost his life was Private Jack Clark son of Mrs Clark 28 Grosvenor Street Burnley, who according to a letter from Lieutenant L Ryden, was killed instantaneously by a Shell on the 29th ult.  Private Clarke was employed at the Beehole Pit and in enlisted shortly after the Outbreak of War. He would have been 21 years of age next month. He was a member of the Burnley Lads' Club and was fond of Sport, being a keen footballer, cricketer and boxer.  He was very popular among his acquaintances and much sympathy will be felt for his mother in her sad bereavement.

Private William Sharpe writing to his father at 95 Lyndhurst Road says, " we came out of the trenches last night and we were in from April 28th. I am sorry to tell you Johnny was wounded on the 29th.  Five of them were buried by a Shell; one was killed and 4 injured. I do not know whether he was badly injured or not, as I did not hear about it until the following day, as there was a bombardment on at the time, and we were  not relieved until the next afternoon at our post. We are now about 5 miles behind the firing line and we had a much needed sleep when we arrived."

Private John Murphy of 102 Anne Street Burnley, who tells the story of the occurrence, was also one of the injured men.  He says that the incident happened on the 29th April, and his letter to his parents continues: " the same night they started the bombardment and a Shell came and buried five of us, killing one poor fellow. His name is Jack Clark. The others were,  O'Mara and Kendall Brothers.  It took them an hour to dig me out and I am now in hospital suffering from shell shock. I am getting all right now. I have been in two or three hospitals but I think I shall soon be back to the Battalion."

Private Murphy was formerly connected with St Mary's Catholic Church. He joined the Burnley "Pals" (11th East Lancs) in September 1914.

From the Burnley news dated 2 August 1916: BURNLEY CRICKETER. KILLED IN THE GREAT OFFENSIVE.

The first playing member of the Burnley Cricket Club to sacrifice his life for his country is Private William Sharpe, one of the Burnley "Pals", official notification of whose death has just been received by his father, Mr William Sharpe, who resides at 95 Lyndhurst Road. Private Sharpe, who was only 20 years of age, was a weaver at Macy's Whitehead and Leavers, where his father also worked, and joined the army soon after the outbreak of war. He had seen a lot of severe fighting in France and in May last we published a letter from him ( see above) just after he had a long spell in the trenches, in which he gave a graphic account of five of his comrades being buried by a Shell, 1 being killed and the other four injured. It was in the opening stages of the big offensive in France that Private Sharpe made the supreme sacrifice, for the official notification sent to his father intimates that he was killed in action either on July 1st or 2nd. The last communication his father had from him was a field card two days before the push commenced, but the letter which he intended should follow he probably never had the opportunity of writing.

Private Sharpe was one of the most promising of the younger members of the Burnley Cricket Club. He had played for St Mary's and the Lads Club before entering the probationary stage in the towns club. He displayed considerable ability as a bowler and with experience and tuition he would have received with the seniors he looked like developing into a first class trundler. W Cooke had a very high opinion of his capabilities, Justified by the fact that in 1914 sharp headed the bowling averages for the Burnley 111 eleven. Incidentally it may be mentioned that he was related to Jack and Bert sharp, of cricket and football firm, his father being cousin to the players mentioned. Private Sharpe was a fine type of young manhood and his death will be greatly regretted by all who knew him.

 From The Express and Advertiser dated 30 Jun 1917: IN MEMORIAM.

SHARPE. In affectionate Remembrance of Private William Sharpe 11th East Lancashire Regiment ("Pals") who was killed in action, on the 1st of July 1916, aged 20 years. From his father. sisters and brother.

Lived at 95 Lyndhurst Road.

William left his effects to Father William.

William was buried in Euston Road Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; I.D.15. Son of Mr. W. Sharpe, of 64, Helena St., Burnley.