From the HADDINGTONSHIRE COURIER, MAY 9, 1873
Death of Sergeant Sharman
Military Funeral
Sergeant Edward Richard SHARMAN, of the East Lothian Yeomanry, and late of the 14th Kings Regiment of Light Dragoons, died at his residence in the High Street, on Friday last.
Sergeant Sharman was a native of London, and at the age of nineteen years enlisted into the latter regiment in 1845. He went with the regiment to India in 1849, and served in the Persian expedition in 1857. He went through the whole of the campaign, carried on in central India, under Sir Hugh ROSE, and in which he was present at the capture of Dhar, and actions at Mundesore, 1857, capture of Chandarrie, battle of Behoa, siege and capture of Jhausi, action of Coouch, battle of Gollowlie, advance on and capture of Calpee and pursuit of rebels, capture of Morar Cantonments, and recapture of town and fortress of Gawalior 1858. For his distinguished services, he was awarded a medal and a clasp. He joined the East Lothian Yeomanry in July 1863, and continued as drill sergeant in that corps till his death. He was much respected in the corps for his ability as a drill sergeant and for his unobtrusive character.
The funeral took place with military honours on Wednesday, and was attended by a number of the Yeomanry under command of Sergeant-Major BRAND, and a portion of the Haddington, &c., Militia, at present assembled, under command of Adjutant BIRD. The mournful cortege was preceded by the firing party of the militia, with arms reversed, succeeded by the band, under the direction of Mr. VALLANCE, whose instruments were draped in black, playing the “Dead March in Saul”. Next came the coffin, surmounted with military accouterments, borne by a party of militia and following came his charger, also draped in black. About twenty of the Yeomanry, in full uniform followed, after whom came the remaining portion of the militia----the officers bringing up the rear.
At the grave, the funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. WANNOP, Episcopalian minister, Haddington, of whose church the deceased was a member. A large number of the townsfolk crowded the streets, and witnessed the imposing spectacle. Sergeant Sharman leaves a widow, who accompanied him through the Indian campaign, and a young family of five to mourn his loss.
A correction to the above from Richard Sharman: I found out from a Military Historian in England that my great-great grandfather is buried in Dunbar, not Haddington as I had thought. The reason he gave was that the Episcopal Church in Haddington had not been built till two years after Segt. Sharman died and Dunbar would have been the next closest Episcopal Church. He has a friend in that area who is going to check the cemetery for me.