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Arthur Sheard was born in Ossett on the 6th November 1898 and baptised at Ossett Holy Trinity Church on the 18th December 1898. He was the second child and only son of five surviving children born to mungo packer Charles Henry Sheard and his wife, Mary Elizabeth (nee Aliffe), who married at Ossett Holy Trinity Church on the 31st July 1897. The couple had six children from their marriage, but one child died before April 1911. All the family were born in Ossett and they were recorded as living at Cross Ryecroft Street between 1897 and 1918.
Arthur Sheard was just 18 years old and still living at the same address at Cross Ryecroft Street in November 1916 when he enlisted at Ossett for the duration of the War. He was posted to Army “B” Reserve with the service number 5/14628. On the 5th March 1917, he was mobilised to the 4th Training Reserve at Newcastle, Staffordshire. Whilst there, he died in hospital of pneumonia, at 5.15 a.m. on the 4th August 1917.
In December 1917, there is reference in his service record to Private Arthur Sheard as 15/14628, 258th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and it may be that this was to be his regiment following his training. With effect from 4th February 1918 his mother, Mary Elizabeth Sheard, was awarded a separation allowance of 10/6d and an allotment of 3/6d pay due from the Army to her her only son, Arthur.
Private Arthur Sheard did not serve overseas during his short service in the British army and therefore did not qualify for the British or Victory medals.
The “Ossett Observer” 1 had this obituary for Arthur Sheard:
“Ossett Soldier’s Death In Hospital – The death occurred at a military hospital at Stoke-on-Trent, on Saturday, from pneumonia of Private Arthur Sheard (18), only son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Sheard, of Cross Ryecroft-street, Ossett. Since he was called to the army about five months ago, the deceased has spent most of the time in hospital. The funeral, which took place at Holy Trinity Churchyard on Wednesday, was attended by several soldiers from the military headquarters at Dewsbury, and the coffin was covered with the Union Jack. Deceased formerly worked for Messrs. A. Shaw and Son, mungo manufacturers, Paleside.”
Private Arthur Sheard, aged 18 years, son of Charles Henry and Mary Elizabeth Sheard, of Ossett, died on the 4th August 1917. He is buried at grave reference 8. 8. at the Ossett (Holy Trinity) Churchyard,2 Church Street, Ossett.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Headstone (Photograph courtesy of local historian, Joan Smith)
References:
1. “Ossett Observer”, 11th August 1917
