Regiment: Royal Scots.
Died: 25 March 1918 aged 30 in France. Killed in action.
Battle: German Spring Offensive. Cemetery: Bac Du Sud Brit Cemetery I. D. 10
Born February 14th 1888. Son of Sir Montague Shearman (Mr. Justice Shearman) and of Louise Lady Shearman, of Leigh House, 6, Eaton Gate, Eaton Square, London, and 26 Evelyn Gardens, S.W.
Middle IV B—Upper Shell. School Prefect. XI Football.
Clare College, Cambridge; in business.
Great War, Private Public Schools' Batt. 1914; Captain 2nd. Bn. Royal Scots.
'Val Shearman has not long survived his great friend Hedley Cuthbertson. At school he was a great favourite, always amusing and cheerful, with a droll humour that was quite irrepressible. He had rather uncertain health, or he would have been even a better athlete than he was. A certain lack of the sense of responsibility remained with him for a long time, but he was sound at the core, and has proved his sterling worth in the hour of supreme trial.' (Malvernian, Jun 1918).
On the 15th November 1915 at Ypres, 'He was thrown owing to his horse bolting, (the animal had been hit by a shell), & collided with a motor lorry. He sustained a fracture to the right clavicle, and to the left tibia.'
On the 1st Feb 1916, the medical board at Caxton Hall in London found that he was fit for light duty without route marching.
'Esmery. Lannoy Farm. 25.3.18 About 11am the battle developed along the whole front, but a strong resistance was made, though the position was heavily enfiladed by machine gun and field gun fire. Two rallies were attempted but nothing could be done, & the elements withdrew by Solente to Roieglise.' (Unit War Diary).
Service record:WO 339/48295
Unit War Diary:WO 95/2340/1