John Sharman was born in 1895 at Counthorpe, Lincolnshire and was the son of Thomas Hoyles Sharman, an engine driver (traction engine) and Hannah Ann Sharman née Mettam of The Holme, West Thorpe, Southwell.
His father was born in 1862 at Swinstead, Lincolnshire and his mother Hannah Ann Mettam was born in 1864 at Great Hale, Lincolnshire, they were married on 22nd January 1884 at Edenham, Lincolnshire, they went on to have 14 children, Elizabeth b1884 Edenham, Thomas b1885 Edenham, Annie b1886 Swinstead, Charles b1888 Counthorpe, Jane b1890 Counthorpe, William b1891 Counthorpe, Henry b1893 Counthorpe , John b1895 Counthorpe, Richard b1896 Counthorpe, Michael b1897 Counthorpe, James b1900 Counthorpe, Ruth b1903 Alford, Mary b1904 Alford and George b1908 Southwell.
In the 1911 census the family are living at Westgate Southwell and are shown as Thomas 48 yrs an engine driver, he is living with his wife Hannah 47 yrs and their children, William 20 yrs a flour mill labourer, Henry 18 yrs a flour mill worker, John 16 yrs a gentleman's servant, Michael 14 yrs a nurseryman, James 11 yrs a scholar, Ruth 8 yrs a scholar, Mary 5 yrs and George 3 yrs of age.
