With thanks to Roger & Eileen Sharkey for additional information and pictures
William James Sharkey was born 13th May 1871 in Stonehouse, Devonport, Devon. He was the son of William Sharkey (born 1834 – occupation: soldier) and Flora Ann, (nee Dinner – sometimes misspelled as Denner – born 1845). William had a little brother born in Ireland on the 17th October 1873, named Richard Grindle Sharkey, but he died in of pneumonia in the infirmary of the Tavistock Union Workhouse on the 9th January 1874, aged around 11 weeks old. Flora Ann would died in the same infirmary, of tuberculosis, on 12th March 1874; William was only 3 years old at the time. This probably explains why, in the 1881 census, we find William James living with his grandparents, Richard and Anna Lucy Denner. Living with them was William’s 22-year-old aunt, Annie Denner. In the 1891 census William, aged 18 was living in Wheal Maria Cottage in Tavistock as a boarder of the Brooks family. He was working as a copper miner.
Wheal Anna Maria (which seems to be the same as Wheal Maria) on the 1887 OS 25″ Map.
Two years later, in 1893, William married to Mary Jane Dingle, who was born in 1847 in Tavistock and working at the time as a domestic servant. She lived in Morwellham, and her father, who was dead by this time, had worked as a mine engine driver. William gave his occupation as copper miner, living at the Wheal Maria Cottages. Their marriage certificate was given at the Tavistock Registry Office, although presumably they may have had a religious ceremony in a nearby dissenting chapel. William James’ dissenting background probably explains how a lad of relatively humble origins was able to develop into a literary figure in later life: his chapel would have had a decently-funded school attached, and no doubt offered classes for adult education as well. William no doubt also taught himself much under his own steam.
In the 1901 census William can be found living with wife Mary in Tavistock. He was working as a furnace man at arsenic works. Several children are listed: William aged 7; Flora aged 5; Maurice aged 4; Violet aged 4; Norman aged 1 and Amy aged 9 months. Both copper mining and furnace work, not to mention an occupation around arsenic, will not have been good for William’s health, and it is probably a good thing he left these jobs while he was still relatively young.
By the 1911 census the family had moved to Bridgwater, and they were living at 12 Camden Road. Aged 39, William’s profession was given as boot and shoe dealer of his own account. It is most likely William sold these door-to-door. We learn that Mary Jane, aged 38, having been married 17 years, had had a total of 13 children born alive, although four had already died by this time. The children listed in this census are:
Son William John, was 17 working as a basket and chair marker in a wicker works.
Daughter Flora Louise May, aged 15 was working as collar and blouse maker.
Son Maurice Garfield, aged 14 was working as a basket and chair maker in a wicker works
Daughter Violet Lillian aged 13
Son Norman James aged 11
Daughter Amy Evelyn aged 7
Son Gilbert Henry aged 5. He is the first child born in Somerset, the rest were all born in Devon. This tells us the family left Tavistock in about 1906.
Daughter Vera Muriel aged 3
Son Harold Percival, aged 2
Also in the property were four boarders, all travelling showmen. These individuals would have contributed to the Sharkey finances, but all 15 people were living in a house of just six rooms.
As well as these children, William and Mary had:
Amy Emma, born 1900, died 1902
Myrtle Dorenda and Olive Evelyn, twins born and died in 1902 – a family story remembers that 3 children were dead in the house at the same time.
Claude Vivian, born and died in 1910, under 3 months of age
Lloyd Raymond born in 1912
Harold Vivian born in 1913
Douglas Leslie born in 1916
We first learn of William’s literary efforts during the First World War. The very first mention we have comes in the Bridgwater Mercury of 7 October 1914, which mentions ‘SALE OF POEM – Mr WJ Sharkey – donated £1 to the Red Cross’.
On 28 October 1914 an article entitled: THE KAISER’S DREAM – POEM WRITTEN BY MR WJ SHARKEY, BRIDGWATER. Mentions how copies were bring sold for the Bridgwater Mercury Fund for tobacco and cigarettes for the Somersets at the front – the article contains excerpt from the poem. On 18 November another report mentions how a total of £3 11s 6d had be raised from ‘The Kaiser’s Dream’. On 9 December there is mention of another poem ‘BELGIUM’. On 20 January 1915 the mercury reported ‘SOMERSET MAN’S LOVE OF HIS COUNTY’ as a postcard of thanks had been sent to WJ Sharkey from Trooper Watts, North Somerset Yeomanry.
Mentions of Sharkey appear very often throughout the rest of the war, by 1916 almost every week of the Mercury mentions postcards and letters from soldiers and sailors, in every theatre of the war, to Sharkey thanking him for smokes, bread and other treats. These pieces of correspondence from the soldiers of Bridgwater, should they survive somewhere today, would be an amazing archive. The mentions in the Mercury can be traced here.
William also had his own personal stakes in the war. On 14 November 1917 the Mercury mentions how “Mr Sharkey of Queen Street has received official notice informing that his son Private M Sharkey of the Army Service Corps is in hospital in Salonika suffering from severe pneumonia.”
His writing and fundraising efforts continued in earnest. On 12 December 1917 the Mercury reported how ‘Mr W. J. Sharkey has recently composed a fresh series of poems which are now on sale at a moderate price of one penny. Proceeds will be devoted to the same patriotic object, to provide comfort for the troops. He has received grateful letters of thanks for parcels sent by him to soldiers, thanking him for “smokes” etc’. On 27 March 1918: “Mr W. J. Sharkey, Queen Street contributed £6 17 to the fund for local soldiers and prisoners of war. Mr Sharkey thanked by soldiers for his gifts. Letter from Pte C. E. Jeffrey (Knowle) saying that Mr Sharkey’s poems were read at soldiers’ smokers at the front and much appreciated.”
At the end of the war, William collected his war poems into a single volume, which was also sold to raise money.
Langport & Somerton Herald 19 July 1919
LOCAL POET’S GIFTS – Mr W.J. Starkey of Queen Street, has contributed £5 to the Bridgwater Peace Celebration Fund, being part of the proceeds of the sale of his poems in the town. If more funds are required for the local peace celebration he has promised to add another £5 later, otherwise the War Memorial Fund will benefit to that extent. On June 17th last Mr Sharkey sent 500 cigarettes to Sergeant Date, St John Street, for distribution among the Bridgwater boys at Barrackpur, India, in order that they may enjoy a smoke from home while we are enjoying the blessings of peace.
Central Somerset Gazette 12 December 1919
This volume contains 21 poems:
The Kaiser’s Dream
Territorials at the Front
Great Britain
Men of the West Country
The Volunteer
Kitchiner’s Men
Belgium
Russia
A Message of Hope
The United States
France
The Old Sailor’s Yarn
Sandhill Park
Hate
Our Fallen Heros
The Captive Somersets
Mother
The Awakening
The Angel of Peace
Italy
The Courtship of Kate
Forgiveness
POEMS OF THE GREAT WAR – for sale. Suitable bound, 1s. post free. W.J. Sharkey, 14, Queen Street, Bridgwater.
In the preface, Sharkey explains:
All the following Poems have already been brought before the public in pamphlet form, whereby men on active service, in prisoners of war camps, and wounded men in hospitals, have received “little comforts” during the years from 1914 to 1919. At the request of my patrons, I have responded to their wish by presenting the whole series in book form, as a small souvenir of the Great War. In preparing them for the press I am indebted to an old and valued friend for useful hints and suggestions. I, therefore, expressed the hope that this little book will be received with as much favour as was accorded to the pamphlet form.
W. J. S. November, 1919.
***
After the war we learn more about William’s activities in the Christian organisations in the town. He was a member of the Congregationalist Chapel in Fore Street (now demolished). The Langport & Somerton Herald of 30 April 1921 reported: MEN’S OWN – A pleasant hour was spent at the YMCA on Sunday afternoon when Mr U. Flower presided over a good attendance. Prayer was offered by Mr E. Nichols and Mr W.J. Sharkey read the lesson. Etc etc.
In 1921 William produced Scenes in Somerset, and other poems, which was published by the Bridgwater Mercury, in softback and cloth board editions. This also included a short story ‘The Spectre Hearse: A Story of the Polden Hills’ by a mysterious ‘Newberry Newcombe’.
The poems in this volume include:
To my Book
The Glory of Somerset
Cheddar
Wells Cathedral
Dunster
Sunset from Dunkery Beacon
Glastonbury
River Parrett
Bridgwater
Taunton
The Ladder of Fame
Great Britain
The Boy Scouts
Sympathy
Swallows in Council
Forgiveness
Fate
Italy
Wreck of the Titanic
Hatred
The Nurse
The Vicar and His Horse
The Gipsy Maid
The Temple of the World
The Aftermath
The Image of Gold
The Stone-Breaker’s Philosophy
Mill Street, No, 10
Truth Triumphant
The Spectre Hearse
In his preface he says:
‘Encouraged by the enormous sale of my poems of the ‘great War’, I have ventured to publish this larger and more complete collection of my poems. Many of the recent additions are descriptive of the Somersetshire scenery, which has impressed me so much, though it is almost impossible to d justice to its wonderful beauty. Included with the poems is a story of the Polden Hills, written specially for this book by my friend ‘Newberry Newcombe’. Whilst thanking my patrons for past favours, I trust that the great patronage hitherto accorded me will be extended to this volume also’.
This volume seems to have run into at least four editions, indicating its popularity.
In 1925 he produced The Riddle of Life and other Poems again published by the Bridgwater Mercury. This was accompanied by another ‘Newberry Newcombe’ story: The Light on the Moor.
The contents of this volume include:
To my Book
The Riddle of Life
The Muse
Glastonbury
The Three Ages
Men of the West Country
The Nurse
A September Sunset
Swallows in Council
Annie Ryall
The Angel of Peace
The United States
Salubrious Somerset
France
Kitchener
S Men
Sandhill Park
Cheddar
Bridgwater War Memorial
Dunster
The Image of Gold
The Temple of Honour
Great Britain
The Light on the Moor
In the preface Sharkey says:
‘Most of the poems in this volume are entirely new. Also included is a ‘Story of Dartmoor,’ especially written for this book by ‘Newberry Newcombe,’ whose contribution in a previous volume was much appreciated. Though several of the poems were written during the Great War, and are particularly applicable to incidents in connection therewith, they are now introduced on account of their former popularily. That this edition will merit the same kind of favour and support hitherto accorded is the author’s earnest hope.’
In the Langport & Somerton Herald of 5 March 1927, a letter by W.J. Starkey of Queen Street to the editor concerned a fund to help the Bristol Eye Hospital and a long list of subscribers to the effort -. Another similar letter appears in the Langport & Somerton Herald 17 December 1932.
In 1928 Sharkey completed The Love that Came too Late and other Poems and this was published by the Bridgwater Mercury.
It only ran to 38 pages, and includes:
The Love that Came too Late
The Slave Girl
The Erring Wife
The Hen and Her Ducklings
The Volunteer
A Girl Guide
Jephthah’s Vow
Simon Lee
The Vicar and His Horse
The Pedlar
In his introduction he says:
‘In preparing this little book I have endeavoured to acquiesce to the wishes of my numerous readers who have patronised me for many years throughout the greater part of Somerset and East Devon. Many of these poems are new to the general public; while the entire volume does not contain any pieces which have been read before by people who have made their homes among us in recent years.’
Sharkey’s apparent last major publication came in 1930, with Betty Philpott’s Release, and other stories. This was not published by the Mercury, but privately.
The contents include:
The Journalist’s Story (Betty Philopott’s Release)
The Medium’s Story (The Wheat King)
The Ex-Serviceman’s Story (Our Fallen Heroes)
The Orphan’s Story (Bye Street, Number ten)
The Minister’s Story (In the Days of Daffodils)
The Widower’s Story (No Live Like the First Love)
The Daffodil’s Story (The Weeping Daffodil)
The preface says:
‘In offering this little book – which contains mostly new pieces – to the public, the Author wishes it to be understood that he has not attempted to write metrical and prose stories as a study in composition, style and dialogue, but rather as a revelation of character. His one aim has been to place those characters, like marionettes, upon a stage, and make them speak for themselves. It is the Author’s hope that they may find a lodging-place in the homes of the people who have favoured him with their patronage and their appreciation for many years past’.
As well as poems and short stories, William also composed plays. The Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser of 21 February 1934 reported:
A further performance of Mr. W.J. Sharkey’s play ‘Robert and Mary Moffat’ was given to a large and appreciative audience in the Salvation Army Hall on Monday by the Fore Street Congregational Christian Endeavour Society. The performance was effectively carried out and at the close the officer in charge of the corps remarks that the play and its performance would live in her memory the rest of her life. Compliments were paid to the author of the play and to the producer, Mr. F.J. Small, for the excellent way he had characterised his cast. A substantial sum was raised by this effort for the Self-Denial Fund.
William’s wife Mary died 22 March 1936. It is interesting to note that his literary work seems to have ended about this time. However, we can trace him in the papers, as he was also keenly involved with an organisation called the ‘Brotherhood’. Many newspaper articles mention him leading prayer or presiding, between1937 and 1938. Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser of 9 October 1937 mentions him giving a talk “If Christ Came to Bridgwater”.
We hear little more about him until his death in 1950:
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser 10 June 1950
Late Mr W.J. Sharkey
Well known in Bridgwater and district as a poet who published his own verses and sold them from door to door, giving a proportion of the proceeds to charity. Mr William James Sharkey, of 13 Knowle Road Bridgwater, died on Sunday at the age of 79. A widower, he leaves seven sons and three daughters. By the sale of his books Mr Sharkey raised about £1,500 for Bristol Eye Hospital and during the two wars, by similar means, he sent thousands of cigarettes, with socks, scarves and other comforts to men serving in the Forces. In recognition he received letters of appreciation from King George V and Lord Kitchener during the 1914-18 war. He also contributed to the fund which provided X-ray apparatus at Bridgwater Hospital. He had lived in Bridgwater nearly 50 years, and been a lay preacher at the Fore Street Congregational Church, where the funeral service took place on Thursday afternoon.
13/1156 The inscription reads: In Loving Memory of Mary Sharkey who died March 22nd 1936 aged 62. R.I.P. Also of William James Sharkey died June 1st 1950 aged 76.
However, burial records show that also buried here are:
Claude Vivian Sharkey buried July 5th 1910 aged 4 days.
Harold Percival buried Jan. 18th 1913 aged 4 years.
Also Douglas A. W. Britton buried in Sharkey plot June 3rd 1918 aged 4 months.
