Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Sharp, a millwright, born 1851 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Sharp, born 1856 in Thringstone, Leicestershire. Thomas William was a schoolboy and was born in 1873 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Rebecca, a schoolgirl, born 1875 and Walter, born 1880, both his siblings were born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in April 1881 the family home was at 8, Russell Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire. In April 1891 Thomas was employed as a dyer’s trimmer and was residing in the family home at Wellington Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire together with his father, an engine fitter, his mother and siblings, Rebecca, a hosiery trade worker, Walter, a schoolboy, Agnes, a schoolgirl, born 1883, Herbert, born 1889 and Flora, born 1891, the latter three siblings were all born in Loughborough, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Thomas was employed as a foundry fettler and was residing in the family home at 36, Pinfold Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire together with his wife Phoebe Sharp (nee Pratt, married on the 16th November 1895 in the Parish Church, Loughborough, Leicestershire, witnesses Arthur Clarke and Harriet Pratt), born 1875 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and their children, Leonard, born in the 1st quarter of 1896 and Walter, born on the 10th January 1901, both children were born in Loughborough, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as an iron founder and was residing in the family home at 21, Salmon Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire together with his wife and children, Leonard, a hosiery trade errand boy, Walter, a schoolboy, Annie, a schoolgirl, born on the 27th June 1902, Thomas, a schoolboy, born on the 18th August 1904, Emma, a schoolgirl, born on the 27th March 1906, Joseph, born on the 20th March 1908 and John Willie, born on the 24th January 1910, the latter five children were all born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, also residing with the family were Thomas’s three brother’s in law, William Pratt, an apprentice, born 1894, John Pratt, a sawyer, born 1887 and Joseph Pratt, a trimmer, born 1883, all three brother’s in law were born in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Thomas and Phoebe had two further children, Herbert born on the 19th August 1912 and Lawrence born on the 12th February 1914, both children were born in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Thomas was recorded officially at birth with the spelling of Sharpe as his surname, however throughout his life the surname has been given variously as Sharp and Sharpe. Thomas enlisted into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 3 years with the Colours on the 15th August 1914 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as Holy Trinity, Loughborough, Leicestershire and his age as 39 years and 5 months, he gave his trade or calling as fettler. He confirmed that he had previously served with the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He gave his wife Phoebe Sharpe of 21 Salmon Street, Loughborough, his mother Sarah Sharpe, brother Herbert Sharpe and sister Florence Sharpe all of Rendell Street, Loughborough as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches. His complexion was described as dark, his hair colour was dark brown and his eyes were grey. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for Army service. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10175 on the 17/8/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 11/9/14. Posted to the 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 8/11/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment of the 19/11/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 19/3/15. Landed France on the 20/3/15. Joined the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in the field on the 2/4/15. Deprived of 7 days pay for misconduct on the 13/5/15. Death presumed. Place not stated. Previously reported missing on the 15/5/15. A summary of his Army service records: Home Service, 17/8/14 – 18/3/15, 214 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 19/3/15 – 15/5/15, 58 days. Total service 272 days. On the 27th January 1916, Thomas’s widow Phoebe received a letter from the War Office awarding her and her eight children a weekly pension of 33 shillings, to commence of the 7th February 1916. The following information was provided on the 7th November 1919 by Thomas’s widow Phoebe on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Widow of soldier, Phoebe Sharpe of 22, Salmon Street, Loughborough. Children of soldier, Leonard Sharpe of 21, John Street, Loughborough, Walter Sharpe, Annie Sharpe, Thomas Sharpe, Emma Sharpe, Joseph Sharpe, John Sharpe, Herbert Sharpe and Lawrence Sharpe, all of 22, Salmon Street, Loughborough. Father of soldier, none. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, none. Full blood sisters of soldier, -?- -?-ghton, age 50 of 120, Station Road, Ilkeston and Rebecca Holt, age 44 of No.6, Astley Square, Loughborough. Thomas was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory Medals.
The War Diary for today records. Battn rested during the day in LANSDOWNE POST. Moved off at 8.00pm. Battn took over front line from which the assault was to be made and by 9.30pm Coy’s were in position. Telephonic communication established with left and right and communication by officers ascertained between men on left and 2nd Div on my right. Eleven bridges were placed over the stream which runs parallel to position and about 20 to 30 yards in front of it, there with the existing four bridges made a total of 15 on the Battn front. It was not possible to place more bridges in position as the stream had been widened at many points by big shell holes, and the trunks and branches of fallen trees also blocked any other places where bridges might have been put. This getting of the bridges into position was an operation of great difficulty on account of the constant flares and bursts of fire from the enemy’s parapet. It was skilfully and quietly done with only two or three casualties. At 10.45pm two platoons were crossed over to the far side of the stream. Four more platoons were formed up ready, in the trenches to go forward and support the leading platoons. The remaining two Coy’s were formed up lying down behind the parados in close column of platoons ready to advance. Thus the whole Battn was got into its final position in order of attack and as close up as possible. This final formation was complete by 11.20pm and thanks to the able leading of Coy Commanders the movement was carried out in perfect order, and with no noise. At 11.30pm the leading platoons went forward to the assault closely supported by the second line. The lines in rear went forward to take up the positions vacated by the leading line. At the same time, or if anything some seconds before 11.30pm the enemy opened a very heavy fire with rifles and machine guns. A few minutes afterwards trench mortars and shrapnel searched the stream and the ground on both sides of it. The enemy threw from their parapet some kind of fire grenade which burst into fire on impact with the ground, and these with continuous flames of all colours, literally turned night into day. The leading men pushed on but only a few were able to reach near the enemy’s parapet. Each succeeding line came under a very heavy fire, the bridges got so blocked and the obstacles caused by fallen trees and shell holes so impeded movement that effective support could not be given. Thus the impetus of the assault was broken before it really got a proper start. The enemy’s parapet was fully manned and the accuracy and intensity may be understood from the fact that 8 officers, Platoon Commanders were killed or wounded. About 12 midnight reports were received from the front that our attack could not reach the German line, orders were then given to withdraw to our own trenches.
On Friday July 30th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. – The following casualties in the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 9th July.
KILLED. Withers, 11848, Private F.
WOUNDED. Bailey, 12000, Lance Corporal G. Barrett, 16424, Private C. Bartlett, 15860, Private E. Colbourne, 11399, Lance Corporal A.J. Corby, 9536, Private A. Escott, 11402, Private R. Fawcett, 16749, Private J.J. Fielding, 8898, Lance Corporal E.E. Gilbert, 8336, Private F. Goodmon, 16325, Private A.H. Goodger, 9338, Lance Corporal H. Johnson, 5035, Company Q.M.S. G. Moore, 6140, Lance Corporal H. Newton, 12004, Lance Corporal W. O’Brian, 9818, Private W. Wall, 7886, Private J.
MISSING. Ashcroft, 8307, Lance Corporal F. Burton, 11969, Private F. B. Copley, 9333, Private H. Grant, 10554, Corporal F.W. MacDonnell, 7901, Private G. Sharp, 10175, Private T.W. Simpson, 8916, Lance Sergeant C.W. Smith, 11490, Private I. Stowe, 10180, Private W. Whittington, 15875, Private A.E.