George Sharp

War Service

Little is known of George’s military service except for the fact that he was in the Royal Artillery and that at some stage he was posted to Belgium. A photograph of him and several comrades survives which was taken whilst in Belgium during WW1. 

Family Life

The Sharp family had lived in and around Brotherton for several generations.
James Sharp, the great grandfather of George, was born in Monk Fryston in 1791. By 1841 he had been married to Elizabeth for many years and was raising a family. This consisted of Thomas (aged 25), Mary (23), William (20), Hannah (16), Josh (14), James (12) and Harriet (6). James was employed as a ‘Labourer’ and William was a ‘wheelwright’.
Thomas Sharp was married to Hannah nee Stones (born in Cowick about 1820) on 2/5/1847 in Snaith and by 1851 was living in Railway House, Rawcliffe. He was employed as a ‘Railway Labourer’. The couple had three children - Elizabeth aged 6, Joseph (2) and Mary (1) born in Rawcliffe.
Ten years on in 1861 the family had expanded with the addition of George (9), Ann (6), Emma (5), Alice (2) and Sarah 3 months. By then, 45 year old Thomas was employed as a Gamekeeper on the Byram Estate and living at the Lodge, Byram cum Poole. The family had moved around somewhat as these children had been born in Burton Salmon except for Sarah who was born in Poole.
In 1871 George had left home and was employed as a ‘Farm Servant’ in Snydale. His employer was a
John Manchester - a farmer of 214 acres) and his extended family.
Sometime after that comes the real connection with Brotherton as by 1881 Thomas and Hannah were resident up Bunkers Hill. Thomas was still a ‘Railway Signalman’. George a 19 year old bachelor, was back living with them as was married daughter Alice (Patchett) and her two children George (2) and Thomas (1). Thomas Patchett went on to join the army and served in both the Boer war and WW1. (See section relating to him).
On 22/1/1882 George William married Sarah Sharp at Christ Church, East Knottingley.
In 1901 George was living on Gauk Street. With him were sons George William aged 15 and Arthur
(13). George the younger was a ‘Foundry Moulder’.
Hannah, wife of Thomas died in 1895.
By 1911 George William was working as a ‘Farm Labourer’ whilst his brother Arthur was a ‘Horseman’. Both still lived with 59 year old George.
After the war George (2nd) returned to Brotherton where he lived on the High Street before eventually moving to Byram Park.
George (1st) died on 6/2/1945 at the grand age of 93.
George (2nd) died on 4/4/1974 aged 88.