East Lancashire Regiment.

Awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette 24 September 1918.

The citation reads, "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his company commander became a casualty, he took command, and under orders withdrew skilfully to a new position, which he held against repeated enemy attacks, although the left flank was exposed, only withdrawing when his C.O., ordered him to do so".

Sharples was a native of Nelson, Lancashire.