Lieutenant FWM Sharman MC

Francis Sharman was born in London on 28 August 1920.

He was granted a commission, as a Second Lieutenant in The East Yorkshire Regiment and was serving with the 4th Battalion, in France in 1940, as part of the 150th Brigade in the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division.

In the campaign in France and Flanders, and during the withdrawal to Dunkirk, he was wounded on 28 May 1940. Despite this wound he showed outstanding bravery and was awarded the Military Cross. His Citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. During 31st May 1940 at Houthem this officer displayed courage and excellent leadership in taking reinforcements to a platoon occupying an FDL which had suffered many casualties including the platoon commander. He gained the platoon alternative position and he himself was wounded. He reorganised the platoon and engaged the enemy enabling the OC Company to direct operations and re-establish the line formerly held. Although wounded he continued in command until relieved by the Company commander.

This officer, by his personality and courage, saved what might have become a difficult situation and restored the platoon to fighting trim. Throughout he showed a complete disregard for his personal safety.

He volunteered for Airborne Forces in 1942 and was posted to the 3rd Parachute Battalion on 7 April 1942. He probably completed his parachute training on either Course  No 21 or No 22, which ran at RAF Ringway in August 1942.

On Operation ‘Torch’ he commanded 1 Platoon, A-Company, which was part of ‘B’ Group of the battalion, which had been split into two parts. ‘B’ Group set sail in ships P19 and P22 on 13 November 1942, and docked at Algiers on the 22nd November. They moved up to Roubia village and were reunited with ‘A’ Group on 24 November and by 11 December they had moved up to the front line in Tunisia at Beja. From then on their was constant patrolling and it is recorded in the Battalion War Diary on 17 December that a, ‘Standing patrol under command of Lt. FWM Sharman MC, sent fwd to Pt 487’.

However the next day there is the following entry in the War Diary: ‘1800 hours. Patrol under Lt. J.S. Cleminson sent fwd to contact Lt Sharman MC.’

On the 20th December the War Diary recorded the following: ‘Lt Sharman’s patrol reported missing; One OR returned from Lt Cleminson’s patrol, reported contact with enemy at Pt 487.’

The War Diary then has the following entries: ‘21st December. 17.00 hours. Fighting patrol under Command Maj. D.T. Dobie, strength 66 all ranks, sent fwd to destroy enemy in area Pt 487 and locate missing patrols.

22nd December. 10.00 hours. Fighting patrol returns, 2 POW’s, 2 enemy killed, enemy MG post on Pt 487 destroyed; Casualty state to date covering patrols 17, 18 and 21 Dec = KILLED Nil, WOUNDED 2 O.R’s, MISSING BELIEVED KILLED Officer’s 3, OR’s 14.’

Lt Francis Sharman was officially listed as a Prisoner Of War on 22 December 1942, but he had actually been captured on 18 December, as recorded by the Germans on his PoW Card.

He was flown from North Africa to a German PoW Camp, Dulag Luft, arriving there on the 10th January 1943.

He was then transported through a series of Camps finally ending up at Oflag 7B at Eichstätt, Germany on the 24th June 1944. He would remain there until liberated by advancing American Forces in April 1945.