The church of St Martin, Overstrand is home to three separate forms of memorial to the fallen of WW1 and WW2. Outside in the churchyard is the War Memorial, while inside the names are carved on a wooden panel. Beneath the panel there are two bound books, one for each conflict. Each name remembered here receives a small potted biography which I take no shame in reproducing here.
Bernard Sharpin
Son of John & Selina Sharpin.
Born at Cromer on 23rd Oct. 1909 & educated at Cromer School.
Joined Royal Navy on 20th Dec.1939.
Served as a Steward on H M Patrol Vessels.
Killed with H M Trawler “Marsona” struck a mine in the North
Sea on 4th Aug.1940
No known grave, but the sea.
SHARPIN, BERNARD
Rank:…………………….Seaman Steward
Service No:………………LT/JX 174542
Date of Death:……………04/08/1940
Age:………………………30
Service:…………………..Royal Naval Patrol Service, H.M. Trawler Marsona.
Panel Reference………….Panel 4. Column 2.
Memorial…………………LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Jack and Selina Sharpin, of Cromer, Norfolk.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2500572/SHARPIN,%20BE...
Remembered on the War Memorial in the churchyard as:-
Bernard Sharpen R N
Remembered on the Roll of Honour as
B Sharpen
Census
The 1 year old Bernard Sharpin, born Cromer, was recorded on the 1911 census at 153 Mill Lane, Cromer. This was the household of his parents, John, (aged 39 and a Groom from Wickmere, Norfolk) and Selina, (aged 37 and from Edgefield, Norfolk). The couple have been married 14 years and have had 9 children, of which 6 were then still alive. As well as Bernard, children living with them are:-
William Farrow (Step-son)………..aged 17.…..Born Bessingham, Norfolk….Grocers Porter
Harriett…………………………..aged 11.……Born Cromer
George……………………………aged 10.…..Born Cromer
Robert…………………………….aged 9.……Born Cromer
Edna………………………………aged 7.……Born Cromer
Frederick………………………….aged 5.……Born Cromer
The relevant Panel on the Lowestoft memorial can be seen here
www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=138304...
Official Casualty list
Marsona, ship loss
CORDINER, Thomas B, Engineman, RNR (PS), LT/X 10315 S, MPK
DEAN, William J, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 193874, killed
DELL, Thomas, Seaman, RNR (PS), LT/X 21103 A, killed
ELLIS, Alfred D, Skipper Lieutenant, RNR, killed
LEWIS, Arthur, Act/Leading Seaman, RNR (PS), LT/X 19275 A, killed
MAIR, William, 2nd Hand, RNPS, LT/JX 280080, MPK
MALLIBAND, Frederick, Chief Engineman, RNR (PS), LT/332 EU, MPK
NEWBY, Ernest M, Stoker 2c, RNPS, LT/KX 106016, MPK
RITCHIE, John F, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 193967, MPK
SHARPIN, Bernard, Seaman Steward, RNPS, LT/JX 174542, MPK
THOMPSON, Thomas L, Ordinary Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 160675, killed
TREHEARNE, Ian S L, Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1940-08AUG.htm
H M Trawler Marsona
30.8.1939: Requisitioned for war service as a minesweeper (P.No.FY.714) (Hire rate £82.16.0d/month).
6.1940: Based Invergordon with M/S Group 43 (Ch Sk. A . W. Ellis RNR).
4.8.1940: Off Cromarty tasked to sweep approach channel to Firth. At 0650 off Sutor Buoy, Cromarty Forth, received sweep wire for ‘M’ sweep from GEORGE COUSINS (LO66) (P.No. FY.627) (Ch Sk. E. J. Marshall RNR) and steaming ahead started to deploy magnets. At 0724 1/2 mile SSE of Whistle Buoy detonated a mine underneath and a second in the sweep; blew up. HM Drifter INDUSTRY (PD378) (P.No.FY.938 (Sub Lieut E. A. F. Weller RNR) proceeded to scene but found no survivors; five bodies recovered, seven crew members MPK.
www.fleetwood-trawlers.info/index.php/2009/01/st-marsona-...
Notes on the status of the wreck from 1951 onwards,
canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/102052/details/hmt+marsona+...
The Admiralty Board of Enquiry papers are held at the National Archive under reference ADM 1/10767
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details/AssetM...
