Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Sharp, a shoe trade pressman, born 1862 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Sharp (nee Birks, married in the 3rd quarter of 1881 in the Leicester district), born 1862 in Chatham, Kent. Walter, a schoolboy, was born in the 3rd quarter of 1884 in Leicester, his siblings were, Edith Mary, born 1882 in Lutterworth, Florence Ellen, a schoolgirl, born 1883, Alfred, a schoolboy, born 1887 and Lily, born 1889, the latter three siblings were all born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Cossington Road, Sileby, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Walter was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at Cossington Road, Sileby, together with his father, a shoe trade pressman, his mother and siblings, Alfred, a shoe trade riveter, Lily, William, born 1892, Frederick, born 1894, May, born 1896, Ada, born 1899 and Frank Oram, born 1900, the latter five siblings were all born in Sileby. Walter had another sister, Edith, born 1903 in Sileby. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at The Banks, Sileby, together with his wife Kate Sharp (nee Lowe, married in the 2nd quarter of 1903 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1885 in Syston, Leicestershire, and their children, Alfred Lowe, born 1903, in Syston, Florence, born on the 19th May 1906, Nellie, born on the 7th July 1908 and Walter Frederick, born on the 29th September 1910, the latter three children were all born in Sileby. Walter and Kate also had another child, a son Frank, born on the 8th November 1913 in Sileby. In the 3rd quarter of 1915, in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district, Walter’s wife died aged 30. Walter was officially recorded at birth with the family surname spelling of Sharp, but on some documents he is incorrectly referred to as Sharpe, the Sileby village war memorial also spells his surname as Sharpe. Walter first entered the theatre of war in France on the 20th May 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 11 May-16 - Battalion had relieved the SHERWOOD FORESTERS on the Forward Cottage Line on the 8th May, the report for 11th May stated that the front line was shelled heavily at times during the day. Shelling on B 15 and B 16 being especially heavy. Our Field Guns shelled (2 salvoes) Canadian dugouts 8.00pm. About midnight a patrol consisting of a Lewis gun and 2 gunners went out under Lieutenant C.H.O.D. BURRELL, the vicinity of the Canadian dugouts was searched but nothing was found. No enemy seen.
It may be assumed, that given that two platoons of “D” Company were located in B 15 and a further two in B 16, that Walter was killed during the heavy shelling mentioned in the Diary entry for the day.
On Friday June 2nd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – SILEBY SOLDIER KILLED. – Official news has reached the parents of Private Walter Sharp, Leicester Regiment, that he was killed in action on May 11th. The deceased who was a widower, and leaves five children, was one of five brothers, three of whom are still in H.M.’s service. His brother Alfred Sharp, of the King’s Royal Rifles, was wounded in October last, and is still a prisoner of war in Germany. The parents are Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Sharp, Cossington-road, Sileby. Deceased was greatly respected by all who knew him, being very kind hearted, and ever ready to help where needed. He was well known in athletic circles. At the age of seventeen he was one of the best runners in Leicestershire. His mother and other friends have many valuable prizes he won at sports. Deceased was also a very good football player, and played for years for the Sileby Victoria team; he was also a trainer for them. The following letter to his parents from his late employer, Messrs. Swan and Preston, boot manufacturers, will show how greatly he was respected:- “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sharp, - Please allow me to convey my deepest and sincere sympathy with you in your sad and deplorable loss of your son Walter. I may say he was a good and faithful workman both steady and honest, in fact all the years he worked for our firm I never remember him giving me a cross word. You must try and look on the bright side, and think, as he told me, he was defending his brother who is a prisoner. His death, although too awful for words, was in defence of his country. Try and bear that in mind. I trust it will soon be all over, and the old flag victorious, that your other sons will return to you in good health, and that his children, as they grow up, will be a blessing to you and feel that he did not give his life in vain. Again expressing my sorrow to you and your family, I beg to remain, sincerely yours. J. E. Swain.” Many other expressions of sympathy have been conveyed to the parents and family of the unfortunate lad.
On Friday June 9th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. The following local casualties reported under various dates have been issued during the past week:- Killed: Leicestershire Regiment: Sharpe, 16405 Private W. (Sileby), Warrington, 16971 Private J. (Somerby). Wounded: Lincolnshire Regiment: Bellamy, 11840 Private G. H. (Melton Mowbray). Wounded: Shock – Shell: Leicestershire Regiment: Yates, 9115 Private P. (Sileby). Killed: Leicestershire Regiment: Auger, 12022 Lance Corporal W. (Melton Mowbray).