CAPT WILLIAM DAVID SHARP - Fourth President 1968 to 2001

David Sharp was born and raised in Headingley, Leeds and schooled at the famous Oundle Public School in in Northamptonshire. Keen on sport, he became captain of their high-flying rugby team.

When he was 18, his military service commenced with being commissioned into The Royal Engineers. Later he was posted to the Bengal Miners and Sappers of the Indian Army. He had reached the rank of Captain when demobilised in 1947.

On his return to Britain he settled in the family home at "Sunnybank" in Scholes.

He joined the family firm of Critchley, Sharp and Tetlow in Cleckheaton, starting on the shop floor and eventually becoming a Director.  His Company was a major employer in the town and one of the worlds premier manufacturers of card clothing and belting for the textile industry.

At the age of 50, David left to set up a private import and export company.

It was around this time when he began to devote a great deal of his time to The Royal British Legion. He became Branch President and according to David Durrans, a former County Field Officer for The Royal British Legion in Yorkshire "He was a tireless worker for the Poppy Appeal. He was a good man and did a lot of good work for local ex-servicemen". Branch Chairman John G Walker added "He was a very active President, worked very hard and knew exactly what he was doing. He had a wide circle of friends, many of whom were involved in Legion affairs".

Extracted from his obituary in the Spenborough Guardian 7 September 2001