Henry "Harry" Sharpe was born the fifth of October 1925 at 97-99 New Gower Street, St. John's, NL to parents James William Sharpe formally of Spoon Cove, CB and Alberta Lynch of Bishop's, CB. His parents operated James Sharpe & Sons General Store located at 97-99 New Gower Street. Harry attended the Anglican Cathedral & was a member of the Choir there and an enlisted member of the Church Lads Brigade in 1939. (See his attached certificate). Harry Sharpe was only 15 years of age when he stowed away on an American Convoy Ship. This young man wanted to be apart of the war effort like his other siblings: Ambrose Sharpe had enlisted in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Maxwell Sharpe & William John Sharpe both enlisted in the Merchant Navy, William James (adopted son of the Late Mark Sharpe) enlisted in the Royal Navy and was lost at sea aboard SS Burnham Royal Navy Ship on 25 Nov 1941, and his sister Jean Sharpe enlisted in the Canadian Army. & Harry Sharpe also enlisted in the Merchant Navy. . At the time of his 16th Birthday the picture below and announcement appeared in the local paper:

During his time in the Merchant Navy Harry sailed aboard many ships three of which were trooped with him on board and they were: the T.M. Svenor, 1941 was torpedoed and sunk; the OSO.S. SS Cadmus 1942 torpedoed; and the SS Random torpedoed; however he was rescued. On one occasion while on assignment in Louisiana his ship was blown up and he was missing and presumed dead. His body was found a week later floating in the oil and there was seaweed growing form it. Then another time when he was torpedoed he took a lot of shrapnel in his body, however on this particular occasion a huge chunk of flesh was ripped from his leg. The Medic on board the lifeboat cut a piece of flesh from a dead sailor's leg and grafted into Harry's leg. Harry never liked that feeling and it bothered him greatly. This whole event took its toll on Harry and he would never be the same after going through those experiences.

When he returned to Newfoundland he married Ellen Mary Martin the youngest child of *George Nicholas Marin and Sarah Joseph Puddister on 17 Feb 1944 and they had eleven children. Throughout his lifetime Harry was the owner of Harry Sharpe Interior/ Exterior Decorating Company; he was a wonderful artist and painter, and an automotive mechanic who was well known for his wonderful skills and abilities. Harry was a well- known sign painter in downtown St. John's working for some business like Jack Ryan Wholesales, Silvers Jeweler, and many, many other area businesses. He was a devote Christian who battled his own mental wars for many years. Harry died on 3 May 1992 and is interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Blackmarsh Road alongside his beloved wife Ellen Mary.

Lest We Forget!