SHEEN, David Vincent

David was born 1894 in Canada to George & Johanna Elizabeth SHEEN, who were living at "The Berberries", Clatterford Road, Carisbrooke, around the time of David’s death.

David was a career soldier, being in the Army in 1901 at The Barracks, Throxenby in North Yorkshire & in 1911 with the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment in Winchester. David was Killed in Action on the 9th of August 1916, as the Somme offensive raged further south, the 1st & 2nd Battalions of the Hampshire Regiment spent ten days in trenches just east of the Chateau. As they were preparing to leave, on the 9th, the Germans staged a surprise attack using a potent form of phosgene gas. Both units were caught unawares & although no ground was conceded the regiment suffered over 240 casualties, about half of whom were killed, including David.

David is buried beneath a Commission Headstone bearing the Family Inscription: “HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR” chosen by his father. He rests alongside 151 of his First World War comrades

David is also remembered on the County, Carisbrooke & Newport Borough War Memorials.