Lt. Col. Samuel S. Sharpe DSO MP

The story of service and sacrifice of Lt. Col. Samuel Simpson Sharpe to his community and his country was remarkable. He attended Uxbridge Public School, Uxbridge High School, University College for his B.A in Political Science, and Osgoode Hall where he received his Law Degree. He was a prominent barrister and solicitor in Uxbridge who practiced at Patterson and Sharpe. He was a leader in the community business associations and sports clubs; was an elder in the Methodist Church; a Master in the Masonic Lodge; and was re-elected two times to the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament. A long-serving militia man, he was second-in-command, and recruiting officer of the 34th Ontario Regiment. With a promotion to lieutenant colonel, Sam was given command of the new unit, the 116th (Overseas) Battalion. Feeling strongly about duty and that the military uniform represented the highest form of service, Sam personally recruited men from Ontario County to enlist with the 116th, and they trained in Uxbridge from October 1915 to May 1916.

Sharpe was an admired military man who accompanied his men overseas and led them in their war effort. He was “untiring in his energies” on behalf of his men and he served for almost two years at the front, leading his men and serving with distinction at Vimy, Avion, Cambrai and Passchendaele.

Even though Sam was celebrated as a patriotic war hero being awarded the DSO, the mental strain and misery of the war overcame Sharpe, and his story ended sadly. He suffered a nervous breakdown in England and was sent back to Canada to recuperate. While on the train from Halifax, he suffered another breakdown, and was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal for more treatment, where on May 25th, 1918 he tragically took his life. As he had anticipated months earlier, he had become “absolutely incapable of ‘Carrying on.’”

He lay in state in Uxbridge, and is buried in the family plot there. At his funeral and in all of the tributes to him, his men tell of a gallant, caring man who put himself at risk to help others. As the Toronto Globe eulogized, “He gave up his life as truly ‘on the field of honor’ as if he had fallen in action.”

LEGACY

Sam Sharpe left a lasting legacy in his life; a life of service to his family, his community and his country. Sam Sharpe also left a legacy that lies in his death. Sam was one of thousands of Canadian officers and soldiers who suffered mental stress injuries, and in his case, died as a result of what is referred to as today as post-traumatic stress disorder in his service to his country. One hundred years ago this was not recognized, but today it is. Today we can use the real-life story of one sufferer, the poignant story of Sam Sharpe, as a catalyst for discussion as we continue to breakdown the stigma of mental illness.

Local and national initiatives

The story and legacy of Sam Sharpe has been remembered by various events and initiatives including the Sam Sharpe Memorial Breakfast, Sam Sharpe Sculpture, Sam Sharpe Gala, Sam Sharpe Club, Honour our Veterans Banner Program, and the Sam Sharpe Statue.

The Sam Sharpe Breakfast, co-hosted by MP Erin O’Toole and Senator Romeo Dallaire first held in 2014, and held annually, focuses on mental health issues facing veterans.

The Sam Sharpe Sculpture by Port Perry sculptor Tyler Briley, was commissioned by MP Erin O’Toole for installation in Centre Block, Parliament Hill as a memorial to Sam as one of only two sitting MP’s who died of service to their country during the First World War. It was installed November 9, 2018. 

The Sam Sharpe Gala was held at Uxbridge Secondary School, Sam’s former high school, where in 2016, Vimy 100 Remembrance Tour students shared the story of Sam’s service; and other members of the local 116th Battalion;  with students and community members. 

The USS Sam Sharpe Club was initiated in 2009, and still continues, welcoming Remembrance Tour and other students to learn about the legacy of Sam Sharpe and others who served in the First and Second World Wars.   

The Uxbridge Honour our Veterans Banner Program, initiated in 2015, remembered Sam as he became the face of their first remembrance banner in tribute to his service to his community and his country. 

The Sam Sharpe Statue by local artist Wynn Walters is appropriately located in Uxbridge adjacent to the Cenotaph.  It was installed in 2018, in public recognition of Sam Sharpe, and his legacy of service and sacrifice, in marking the 100th Anniversary since his death. 

In 2019, the Ontario Government renamed the Durham Region Courthouse the Lieutenant Colonel Samuel S. Sharpe DSO MP Courthouse.  This was in recognition of Sam’s service as a lawyer and Member of Parliament, of his service to his country in the First World War, and to assist in the recognition and respect of those suffering from the invisible wounds of war. 

All fitting tributes who have, and will continue to share Sam’s story of service and sacrifice, and to bring awareness to mental health issues and illnesses.