William Sharp

WILLIAM SHARP

Private 77508, 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry

Killed in Action 26th April 1918 age 19

No Known Grave Commemorated Poziers Memorial, France

Son of Jane Sharp

Lived 15, Queen Street, Heckmondwike

William was born in Liversedge on 14th May 1899. On the 1911 Census he is shown as living at 45, Queen Street, Heckmondwike with his mother Jane (born Northorp and aged 43, a Weaver) and his older sister Charlotte (born Liversedge and aged 14, a Twister by occupation). Also on the census are his older brother Charles Walter (born Liversedge, aged 13 and working in Cloth Manufacturing) and his younger brother Ralph (born Heckmondwike, age 6 and a Scholar). Prior to enlisting in the army he worked as a Mule Piecer at Messrs J.W & F.N Priestley of Liversedge. He initially enlisted at Bradford and was on a reserve list, he began active service on 15th September 1917 and trained at Catterick before being transferred to the Durham Light Infantry at Seaham.

William's Battalion was part of the 5th Army which was driven back across the former battlefield of the Somme by overwhelming German forces during March and April 1918. It was during this withdrawal that William was posted as missing. Red Cross personnel reported that he was killed by machine gun fire but in a statement made in 1919, a comrade informed the authorities that he was blown up by a mortar shell as a small group of soldiers were entering a village.

His body was never found.His older brother, Charles Walter, also served during the war and survived.

William was awarded the British and Victory Medals.{PL-119}

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