Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock D. S. O, Royal Artillery - His Lovely Life Ended

Monument to Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In devoted memory of 

Colonel David J. C. E. Sherlock

D.S.O (distinguished service order) 

Royal Artillery t

he beloved husband of 

Constance Nash Sherlock   

Born June 6th 1879  

His lovely life ended 

February 18th 1938  

Constance Nash Sherlock 1900 - 1959."

David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock was born 6th June 1879 in Tullamore, County Offley, Ireland to David Joseph Sherlock J.P., and his wife Mary Zeena Elizabeth Murphy.  

David enlisted with The Dublin City Artillery (southern division), on the 24th November 1897 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. David joined the British Army in 1900 and served in the Great War, first with the Royal Horse Artillery and then later with the Royal Field Artillery. In 1917 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the 1917 Birthday Honours for operational gallantry for highly successful command and leadership during active operations.  In 1930 David married Constance Nash. David was to pass away just 8 years later in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, on February 18th 1938.  The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 23rd February 1938:

"Death of Col. Sherlock, D.S.O.

We much regret to have to record the death which took place early on Friday morning last at "Bredward," Burnham of Col. David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, D.S.O., R.A., at the age of 58 years. Col. Sherlock who was born on June 6th, 1879, had a very distinguished career. He joined the Army in 1900 and was a member of the Royal Artillery for 30 years. He went to France in August 1914 as Captain of the 50th Battery, 2nd Division, during the Great war, and he was wounded in October of that year. He returned in February, 1915 as Brigade Major of the 47th Division of Artillery and in June, 1916, took over command of 115th Battery R.A.F., 1st Division. In this Battery he won the D.S.O. and the Legion of Honour, and served until 1917. 

He then west as Brigade Commander of 310th Brigade, 67th (West Riding) Division, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1918. He was mentioned six times in dispatches. He commanded the Brigade on the Rhine, and returned to England in 1919 and commanded the 38th Battery at Woolwich and Colchester, and later the Brixton Brigade R.F.A., T.A. He then proceeded to India and took over the 34th Brigade at Jhansi, returning after four years he was appointed Divisional Commander of the Liverpool Division Territorials. He Retired in 1930.

Col. Sherlock was the eldest son of Mr. David Sherlock, D.L., of Rahan Lodge, Tullamore, Ireland, and was educated at Beaumont College and Clongoweswood College. He married about nine years ago Miss Constance Nash, of New York, and came to "Bredward," Burnham, about six years ago. He was dearly loved by all his brother officers and men. When he came to Burnham his genial and breezy disposition soon gained him a wealth of friends and he crept into the hearts of everyone by his bluff and jovial manner. He also had a valuable asset of being able to assess the qualities of the ordinary "man in the street" and the solider on and off parade. He stayed int he hearts of Burnham people and will be greatly missed, and the sympathy of everyone will go out to Mrs. Sherlock. He soon associated himself with many activities in Burnham. He was a vice-president of a number of associations and took a specially live interest in the Royal Artillery Association (South Bucks branch) and the Burnham branch of the British Legion, of which he was president. He was also hon. treasurer of the Burnham branch Conservative Association, president of the branch of the Junior Imperial League. He was a subaltern under the late Sir Francis Bingham in Egypt, and the friendship was sustained on their both coming to live in Burnham.

The funeral service was held quietly at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Maidenhead, yesterday (Tuesday), and the internment was at Maidenhead Cemetery. By the expressed wish of the deceased only the immediate members of the family and relatives, attended, and also by his wish there were no flowers."

Colonel David J. C. E. Sherlock

The New York Times reported on 18th February 1938:

"Colonel David E. Sherlock, retired commander of the Fifty-fifth West Lancashire Division of the Royal Artillery, stationed at Liverpool, died early this morning Burnham, Buckinghamshire, England, after a short illness, according to word received here."

The Catholic Herald printed a small notice of death for David on 28th February 1938 -

"Gallant service during the European War, in which campaign he was wounded and was six times mentioned in despatches. brought high honour, both from Britain and from France to Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, who died on the 18th inst. at his home at Burnham, Buckinghamshire. The Royal Honours List awarded him the D.S.O., while France made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and gave him also the Croix de Guerre.

Colonel Sherlock was in his fifty-ninth year. The son of Mr. David Sherlock, D.L., of Tullamore, he was educated first of all in Ireland, at Clongowes Wood College, and afterwards at Beaumont. He joined the Army in 1900. In the Great War he served with the R.H.A. and the R.F.A. He retired about eight years ago."

Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt
Where Right and Glory Lead