Charles A (Albert) Sharman was born in 1898 at Oswestry. His family had moved to Oswestry and in 1901 were living at 26 Coney Green. He had 3 sisters: Nelly, Florence, and Elsie and brother Frederick. Charles was the youngest. By 1911 they were living at 2 Park Avenue, a former PO and now a private house, where his mother, Caroline, was sub postmistress. His father, Henry, was a joiner. After leaving school Charles would take up a joinery apprenticeship working with his father at Messrs. WH Thomas & Sons builders in Oswestry. He enlisted on the reserve list in May 1916 just after his 18th birthday, probably as a conscript, and, after some required dental work, was mobilised in December 1916. He joined the 65 Reserve Training Battalion (14 Reserve Bn South Wales Borderers) at Kinmel and after training was posted to 1/5 Bn Welsh Regiment in April 1917. He left the UK for Egypt arriving at Alexandria on 28 June 1917.  The battalion had been in action during the Palestine campaign at the battles for Gaza and Beersheba. Charles was wounded on 3 November 1917, probably at the Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe.

The family home and Post Office, Park Avenue – with Charles’s sisters Nell and Elsie.

He was transferred back through the casualty lines arriving 5 days later at Citadel Military Hospital at Cairo. He had been shot in the chest and spine and was dangerously ill. He survived for another 12 days succumbing to his wounds on 20 November 1917 and was buried the next day at Cairo Memorial Cemetery with full military honours. A memorial service was held for him at St Oswald’s Church, his friends and family attended. This was the second memorial service that week, both officiated by Reverend Lutener (see Lieutenant Richard AM Lutener). Charles is commemorated on the war memorial at St Oswald’s Church and also on his family’s grave at Oswestry Cemetery.

Sharman Family Grave, Oswestry Cemetery, where Charles is commemorated.

Charles’ elder brother, Frederick Henry Sharman, also served, he was wounded twice and was taken prisoner in May 1918 during the ‘Kaiser Battle’, the last German offensive of the war. He survived the war.

Acknowledgements. Article – Llangollen Advertizer

References and Sources

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