Pte. Richard Wearne Sharplin

• Richard Wearne Sharplin
• Hauraki Regiment Volunteer 34441 – Private New Zealand Training Unit
• Born: Canterbury, 3 February 1894
• Family: Son of Henry and Elizabeth Sharplin Bushman
• Occupation: Whakamarama Timber Footballer, Boxer
• Enlisted: from Tauranga 23 August 1916
• Died of: pneumonia following measles 25 October 1916, Featherston
• Aged: 22
• Name recorded on Tauranga Domain War Memorial
• Cenotaph: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/...

LATE PRIVATE R. W. SHARPLIN. THE LAST TRIBUTES.The earthly remains of Private Richard Wearne Sharplin were laid to rest in the new cemetery on Saturday afternoon, the attendance at the funeral being the largest and most representative that Tauranga has seen for several years. If any evidence were needed of the esteem in which the deceased soldier was universally held or if any further tribute to his memory or testimony to his, patriotism were required, the solemn and imposing ceremony of Saturday sufficed. As stated in a previous issue thes deceased was the eighth son of Mr and Mrs H. H. Sharplin, of Whakamarama. He was born at Staveley, Ashburton, and had lived at Whakamarama for about four years, where he was attached to the staff of the Whakamarama Land and Timber Company. During his residence in this district he took a keen and active interest in boxing and football, and was an able member of the Whakamarama fifteen and also a Tauranga Rugby representative. About two months ago he enlisted and proceeded to the Featherston military camp as a member of the Twentieth Reinforcements. There illness seized him and terminated fatally, cutting off a promising life at the age of twenty-two years. The body was brought to Tauranga for interment. On Saturday afternoon brief and impressive services, in accordance with the forms of the Church of Scotland, were conducted by Rev. A. C. Wedderspoon in St. Peter's Presbyterian Church and at the grave. The service in the church opened with some appropriate Scripture sentences and the rendering of the Lament, "The Flowers o' the Forest," by Mrs Torrance on the organ, followed by the singing of the hymn, "Brief Life is Here Our Portion,' and a Scriptural reading. Rev. Wedderspoon then said: "We meet together to-day in very solemn and pathetic circumstances. Death is always touching, especially so when it meets youth putting on his armour and equipping himself for the battle. Our departed friend belonged to a fighting family. One brother was through the Gallipoli campaign, and has now returned invalided. Another is at present with the fighting forces in France, and Richard Wearne Sharplin, who has been cut off by pneumonia when in training in Featherston Camp, has as truly died a soldier's death, laying down his life for King and country, as any of those who have been killed in action. He was a big strong healthy fellow of exemplary character, beloved in his own home and popular among his comrades, and would have given a good account of himself in the lists he was so eager to enter. But God has willed otherwise, and we bend in submission to His will. To his sorely tried parents this whole community extends its heartfelt sympathy and we pray that they may be comforted by Christ, Who is the resurrection and the life." After prayer, the hymn, "There is No Might in Heaven" was sung and the benediction pronounced. Mrs Torrance then played the "Dead March" in "Saul" and the coffin was raised on the shoulders of the six pall-bearers — Messrs J. Bryers, E. Vincent, T. Ormsby, J. Polkinghorne, G. Stace, and P. Reynolds, all of whom were associated with deceased in his employment at Whakamarama—and borne to the hearse, a firing party composed of Senior Cadets, under Staff-Sergeant-Major Anderson, forming up in line and presenting arms to the body as it was placed in the carriage. The Firing Party then led the cortege at slow march, with arms reversed. The procession was one of the longest that has been seen in Tauranga for some years, and included Major Tattersal (representing the Defence Department), Captain Mirrielees (representng the Sixth (Hauraki) Regiment, of which deceased was a member), Captain Rucknill, Lieutenant Te Awarau (who fought in the Gallipoli campaign), Lieutenant Adams, Trooper B. Fryers (who served at Gallipoli), Mr C. E Macmillan (Mayor of Tauranga,) Mr T. Lochhead (President of the Tauranga Branch of the Farmers' Union), Mr J. C. Adams (President of the Chamber of Commerce), Mr F. H. Hammond (President of the Tradesmen's Association), and representatives of all the public bodies and sporting institutions of the district. Numerous beautiful wreaths were sent, including one from Mr W. T. Teasey, who procured it on behalf of the Nineteenth Platoon, E Company, Twentieth Reinforcements, Featherston Camp, having been requested to do so by Private E, R. Walker, formerly a settler of Cambridge Road, who is now at Featherston. Mr J. Taylor, on behalf of the Te Puna Patriotic League, and Mr J. Crichton, on behalf of the Rugby Union, also placed wreaths on the coffin. On arrival at the cemetery the Firing Party formed open ranks, resting on arms reversed, while the coffin was carried through by the pall bearers. The service at the grave was conducted by Rev. A. C. Wedderspoon. Bugler A. Sorrensen then sounded the Last Post, after which the Firing Party fired three rounds over the grave, and thus ended the people's tribute to yet another patriotic New Zealander, who has given his life for King, country, and freedom. Source: Bay of Plenty Times (30 October 1916).