Notes
IWM Memorial: 2nd/Lieutenant Leon Owen SHARP - The Lincolnshire Regiment.
1. Leon Owen SHARP. Baptised 10th Jan1894. Mother Ada Annie, Father Thomas Sharp of "Oakdale," 5a Regent Street, Leamington Spa.
2. Employed Midland Bank Moreton in the Marsh as clerk. (Warwickshire Advertiser 15 July 1816). Joined OTC in Grantham in 1911.
3. Date 7 August 1914: went straight the Recruiting Office on the declaration of war and was attested as a Private to the Army Service Corps. enlisted Air Force (RAF/RFC), Air Mechanic 2nd Class. Service Number: 1618. TNA reference: AIR 79/22/1618 (1918-1928).
4. Date 03 Apr 1915: arrived in France. Awarded 1914/15 Star medal. Promoted to First Air Mechanic. Medal Card TNA WO-372-18-9848
5. Date 20/21st Dec 1915: The Lincolnshire Regiment was evacuated from Sulva Bay, Gallipopli.
6. Date 23 Apr 1916: Promoted to Second Lieutenant, and transferred to Lincolnshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion. Awarded Victory and British War Medals. Was with the 2nd Lincs on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The London Gazette 23rd April 1916, 4653, page 4611. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29575/supplement/1 TNA reference: WO 339/59709.
6. Date 1st July 1916: The Battles of the Somme had three objectives; to relieve the pressure on the French at Verdun, to assist other allies by stopping to transfer of German forces to other theatre, to wear down opposing forces. In the Battle of Albert 2nd Lincolns attacked the German trenches at the village of Fricourt in the Gommecourt salient. After a massive artillery bombardment the regiment went over the top at 07:30 am managed to take and occupy a 200 yard long section of German trench at 07:50 am. They went into action with 22 officers and all were killed except for two and they had bullet holes in their clothing. The regiment was relieved and withdrawn at midnight. The 2nd Lincolnshire lost nine officers and twenty-six other ranks. (The History of the Lincolnshires, Major General CR Simpson).
7. Date 1st July 1916: killed in action on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Buried CWGC Cemetery Memorial, Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille, France. Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Certificate.
8. Probate 31 August to Ernest Edward Southorn, bank manager, of £748 4s 11d.
The Great War Forum, contributions from members.
HSBC Bank Archives - Midland Bank Roll of Honour: Born 1894. Employed by the Midland bank. Joined the Army Serial Number 1618, Second Lieutenant Lincolnshire Regiment. Joined the RFC/RAF ad Mechanic 2nd class. Died on 1 July 1916. Aged 22.
CWGC Burial Record: SHARP, Additional information: Son of Thomas and Ada Annie Sharp, of "Oakdale," Leamington Spa. Cemetery: LONSDALE CEMETERY, AUTHUILLE Cemetery/memorial reference: X. E. 3. Country: United Kingdom
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/community/693
Midland Bank Employees - This community contains the members of Midland Bank staff who left the bank to serve in the Great War.
IWM War Memorial Register: London Joint City And Midland Bank - WW1. Plaque. Tower Hamlets, Canary Wharf, London. WMR 1620.