Charles ‘Shadder’ Sharpe (1889-1963)
LINCOLNSHIRE Regiment hero Corporal Charles Richard Sharpe was born at Pickworth and lived at Haceby and Stroxton before enlisting to fight in the First World War.
Shadder, as he was known, won his VC for gallant action at Rouges Bancs on May 9, 1915, when he virtually single-handedly rescued the London Regiment who were trapped behind enemy lines.
It sounds incredible, but it’s true.
Shadder was a bomb thrower and he cleared two German trenches to send the enemy fleeing as he charged into the bombed areas with rifle and bayonet.
Leading a bombing party in an attack on the first trench, 50 yards long, Shadder was first to reach it, and realised when it had been cleared that all but four of his comrades had fallen.
He led the four in a charge on the second, longer trench and cleared it as well, to discover the London boys trapped beyond it. He was unscathed.
His VC is housed in South Kesteven District Council’s Grantham offices.
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