The End

Chapter 16  The Daily British Whig

Sharp to Serve Year, Then Be Cashiered

Court-Martial So Punishes Former Casualty Officer of M.D. No. 3

     Kingston April 16. = Major Sharp, Casualty Officer of this district, who disappeared last August and was apprehended in New York in January, and who was tried by Court Martial some days ago, will have to serve a year in Burwash Prison, and in addition to this will be cashiered from the service according to the finding of the Court Martial, which was promulgated this afternoon. Sharp was charged with being absent without leave while on active service.

Deems Sentence is Excessive

Kingston Paper Declares the Minister Should Save Major Sharpe

 Kingston April 17, ==The Whig, in an editorial today, says: Public opinion appears to be that the military court martial sentence of a year in prison given Major W. J. Sharpe former Casualty Officer, for absence without leave, is decidedly excessive. major Sharp's confinement under arrest, and his unfortunate position are enough punishment and disgrace without his being sent to prison with forgers, thieves and the like. The Whig does not propose to remain silent at such a time as this, when an officer who has faced death overseas for his country is to be degraded by being sentenced to prison for deserting an easy home service post in a comfortable armouries office because it happens that the post is under the direction of the military authorities instead of perhaps, the Military Hospital Commission. The post is of the kind given to returned and disabled soldiers. From a military point of view the action of Major Sharpe may appear inexcusable, but there are those who hold that a prison term at this time is out of place. it is up to the Minister of Militia to wipe out the sentence". 

Major W. J. Sharp Receives Clemancy

His Sentance Commuted to One years Detention at Burwash Farm

  Quebec April 29 - It was announced here yesterday afternoon at the permanent court martial that is holding sessions in Quebec city that the sentence of Major W. J. Sharp of Kingston (Ont) Military District, wo was recently sentenced to tow years in jail for desertion from the army while on active service has been commuted to one year's detention at the Burwash Industrial Farm. The clemency of the Governor General in Council was appealed to on behalf of the Major and his excellent record in the military services was found sufficient to justify this reduction of his penalty.

Tugwood looked at the assembled 21sters and said “Well lads, it worked. Thanks to all of you for your efforts on behalf of Major Sharp. Your letters and visits to the Minister of Militia have turned the trick.  He’s not going to end up in prison and there is a Governor General’s order to reduce his sentence to one year. I hear from HEP that they may even dispose of that on humanitarian grounds. Well done comrades.”

Quiet smiles filled  the meeting room and on agreement to adjourn, they headed for the 12 Star around the corner.

Comrade McComb lifted his glass and said in his Scottish burr
                   “Here’s to a damn fine wee Scot---Mr Sharp”

                             “Mr Sharp”, they responded.

Chapter 17 The Iron Cross

Jesse clung tightly to Sharp’s hand as she sat by his bed in their Kingston home.  “I’m here” she whispered. Each of Sharp’s inhalations was an effort and he smiled faintly.

“Thanks, old girl,” he rasped, “You’re a pip!”

“You’ve kept the faith with all the soldiers in your family.” Jesse said.

Sharp struggled to breathe and then Jesse saw that his chest had stopped moving.

“Good night my darling “she said.

Percy came into the room and stood behind Jesse as she cried quietly at Sharp’s side. Putting her hand on Jesse’s shoulder she said “How much we owe this poor brave man.”

When he arrived in Canada he was surprised at the way he was treated. As a former enemy of the Dominion, he thought he would be followed and watched continually. He didn’t know that every request for a visa from a German was reviewed by the Dominion Police and that Carroll and Percy had personally seen to it that Spitzbart had no problem.

He walked slowly through the mist of an October day. It filtered through the maples and each footstep darkened the light frost on the fallen leaves. Cataraqui Cemetery was peaceful this early in the morning. Finally the German stopped and turning to the stone he read:

William Sharp

Born 26 August 1886

Died 12 May 1919

How Much We Owe

“Well---Kamarade” he murmured.

He stood quietly for a moment, then raising his hand, he saluted. From his pocket, he removed a small case. Opening the cover, he placed the medal on the top of the stone. He saluted again and then turned abruptly and walked away between the gravestones and through the autumn woods. At the cemetery gate Percy took his arm and they walked down the hill, across the bridge and  toward the town. 


The End