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Edward John Sharland was born on 11th December 1873 in Kent, England and baptized on 25th April 1874. He was born into the life of a gentleman, his father George Edward Sharland being a solicitor practicing in the Gravesend area of Kent. His mother was Laura Louise Sharland. The family resided at The Laurels, White Hill Road, Mikton-next-Gravesend, Christchurch, Kent.

At some point, Edward found himself in search of adventure and prosperity in South Africa along with other men of a similar social standing who could afford to emigrate and begin a new life on the wild frontiers of empire.

His first taste of military life came in 1897 when he attested in the paramilitary force that was the Natal Police, a unit which was to Keep the peace within the province of Natal.

Fortunately for the researcher, the Daily Orders of the Natal Police remain extant and are available to peruse on this forum under the Unit Information pages for Natal Police

On 22nd January 1900, "No. 1886 Tpr. Sharland having completed 3years service in the Force is permitted to re-engage for a further period of 3 years from 12th. inst."

Towards the end of 1900, a change of duties for Edward, " Tpr. Sharland will parade at 07:45 am tomorrow and proceed to the Railway Station, leaving by the 08:40 am train for D'Urban and hand over copy of orders and waybill, which is supplied.
Railway -ticket order provided.
All kit, property packed and addressed to be handed over to Quartermasters Department."

28th December 1900," Tpr. Sharland is transferred to the Railway Police for permanent duty from 28th December 1900."

Unfortunately, I think it is probably safe to assume that the guarding of a static site may well have provided too many opportunities to imbibe the local grog as the following entry into the daily orders elucidates;
15th January 1901 " Constable No. 1886 Sharland for being under the influence of liquor whilst on duty at the Railway Station, D'Urban on 10th January 1901 is reduced to the rank and pay of second class Constable from that date."
Further, on 5th February 1901;" Tpr. No. 1886 Sharland, is struck off the strength of the Force from that date."

The next chapter of his soldiery continues with his attestation to the 1st. Battalion Kitcheners Fighting Scouts at Pietermaritzburg on 2nd February 1901 with service number 913 and the rank of Trooper. Kitcheners Fighting Scouts carried a reputation of being hard drinking, hard riding and not a unit that the Boers enjoyed engaging with. Maybe, Edward fitted in very well with this criteria? He was discharged from 1KFS on 1st July 1901, but was not to be kept out of the saddle and away from the grip of the reins and a carbine as he re-enlisted with KFS, this time with the 2nd Battalion on010th September 1901 as Lance Corporal 679. He was discharged on 22nd February 1902 with no entry into casualty lists.
He also appears on FindMyPast as 30646 with KFS.

FindMyPast tells us that when enlisting as a 27 year old No. 679 at Pietermaritzburg, he declared former service his occupation being Gentleman. He was a towering 6'1" in height, and had a dark complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair.
His next of kin was Mrs. Woodhamd, Court House, Gravesend, Kent.
Enlistment as 30646 to KFS, as a 28 year old, declares his nationality as English and his profession as that of a policeman, reflecting his service with the Natal Police. His next of kin is again Mrs. Woodhams (sister) addressed as Sharland and Hatton Solicitors, Gravesend, Kent, England.

Shortly after his discharge from KFS and before the end of hostilities, Edward married AdavTerese Spencer (aged 21) on 1st April 1902 at Pietermaritzburg, Natal.

Further into the 29th Century, an Edward John Sharland is recorded as serving as a Lieutenant with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and announced in the supplement to the London Gazette dated 5th June 1919.
So did he answer the call of duty during the Great War by accepting a commission into the DoCLI?

His name appears again in the London Gazette on 8th July 1943 under the King's African Rifles, where he is listed as Major (temp Lt-Col) E. J. Sharland M.B.E.

So it would appear that Edward John Sharland led a very full life and that he would be entitled to more medals and decorations than the Queen's South Africa medal that has found it's way into my collection.

I wonder what he did to earn his MBE? If indeed it is the same Edward John Sharland....




Queen's South Africa medal awarded to Edward John Sharland




Naming to Natal Police