Cecil Robert Sharman

A Seaman with H.M. Trawler Elise., Cecil died on 22nd of September 1918 at the age of 22. 

Cecil was born at Mutford on 1 April 1896, a son of Arthur and Alice Sharman. He was baptised at Saint Andrew's Church, Mutford, on 1 May 1898. In 1901 his family lived at Hulver Road, Mutford, and this was still the family address in 1911.

 The 1911 Census shows William working as a cow boy. 

Cecil joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 January 1915. He served on the trawler Lord de Ramsey until 15 August 1915. He joined the trawler Elise on 10 July 1916. Cecil was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 6 April 1918) for services in the Auxiliary Patrol during 1917.

On 22 September 1918 the Elise was escorting a convoy two miles off Saint Mary's Lighthouse, Blyth, when the vessel was sunk by submarine U-34. All of the crew were killed. 

Cecil's father was killed in 1914 in the loss of the drifter Lindsell. His brother William died in 1916 while serving with the Suffolk Regiment.