Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Sharp, a timber merchant’s manager, born 1856 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire., and his wife Martha Ruth Sharp (nee Bennett, married in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in the Leicester district), born 1860 in Nottingham. Bernard Noel was born in the 1st quarter of 1888 in Syston, Leicestershire, he had one sibling, a brother Arthur Cyril, born 1885 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 31, St. Stephen’s Road, Leicester. In March 1901 Bernard was residing in the family home at 382, Humberstone Road, Leicester, together with his father, a timber merchant, his mother and siblings, Arthur, a timber merchant’s clerk and Constance Mary, born 1892 in Leicester. In April 1911 Bernard was employed as a timber merchant’s clerk and was residing in the family home at 382, Humberstone Road, Leicester, together with his parents and siblings, Arthur, a timber merchant’s clerk and Constance.
Bernard attested into the Territorial Force to serve (One year’s Embodied Service at Home) on the 10th August 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Syston, Leicestershire, his age as 26 years and 7 months and his trade or calling as timber merchant. He stated that he was unmarried. He gave his father Arthur Sharp of Rotherby, Stoneygate Road, Leicester as his next of kin. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2225 on the 10/8/14. Posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 10/8/14. Appointed Lance Corporal on the 20/10/14. Promoted Corporal on the 31/10/14. Appointed acting Lance Sergeant on the 2/4/15. Died of wounds received in action on the same day on the 7/4/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 10/8/14 – 1/3/15, 203 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 7/4/15, 37 days. Total service 240 days. Bernard was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Bernard’s father Arthur Sharp on the 3rd May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by J. M. Gimson, Magistrate, 108, Regent Road, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Arthur Sharp of Rotherby, Stoneygate Road, Leicester. Mother of soldier, Martha Ruth Sharp of Rotherby, Stoneygate Road, Leicester. Full blood brothers of soldier, Arthur Cyril Sharp, age 34 of 2, Beacon Terrace, Quorn, Loughborough. Full blood sisters of soldier, Constance Mary Austen (Sharp), age 28 of “Riseholme,” Knighton, Leicester. Bernard’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 7 Apr-15 – TRENCHES. Interchange of shells between artillery. Shells bursting -?- near F.2. Killing 1 Sgt and wounding 1 man badly. Report to be our artillery bursting short, unable to verify. Work mostly draining, revetting and repairing. Quiet day. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant H. E. PAPPRILL wounded whilst repairing wire entanglements by day light SP.27. 1 Sergeant killed and 1 man wounded (shell bursting F.2). Died of wounds 2651 Pte. F. SANGSTER.
On Saturday April 17th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – OTHER CASUALTIES REPORTED. Sergeant N. B. Sharp, son of Mr. Arthur Sharp, timber merchant, of Leicester, was seriously injured by shell fire, one of his legs being blown off. The wounds were so serious that death ensued three hours later. Sergt. Sharp, who was well known in local sporting circles, and was a member of the Thurnby Cricket Club, was in Capt. Faire’s Company.
On Saturday April 24th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. SHARP. Bernard Noel Sharp, Lance Sergeant, 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, younger son of Arthur and Martha Ruth Sharp, “Rotherby,” Stoneygate Road, Leicester, who fell in the service of his country in Belgium, April 7th, 1915, aged 27 years.
On Friday May 14th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES.
WOUNDED.
The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment (2nd Battalion), are reported from the base, under date April 21:- Private C. Weston (11805)., Private W. Wilson (9758).
DIED OF WOUNDS.
The Leicestershire Regiment.
Private H. Ashton (12880).
The Leicestershire Regiment (4th Battalion) T.F.
Lance Sergeant B. N. Sharpe (2225).