Sharpes Books

A Bloody Good Read

Minor Characters from the Sharpe books

This page contains information on all the minor characters in the sharpe books without there own page, whose surname begins with the letter W.

Sir William Lawford

William Lawford is a close associate of Richard Sharpe through his military career, of the same age but a proper gentleman, and often Sharpe's commanding officer.

He is first met in India where he serves as Sharpe's company officer in the 33rd foot regiment command by Arthur Wellesley. He involves Sharpe on a mission to rescue his uncle Colonel Hector McCandless which goes wrong and they spend a good period of time in Sultan Tippo's Dungeon where the Colonel and lieutenant teach Private Richard Sharpe to read.

He is then met as a staff officer in Wellesley's army before the battle of Talevera, first trying to deal with Sharpe and Simmerson's disagreements diplomatically, but later replacing Sir Henry Simmerson as commander of the South Essex on the Battlefield.

He continues in this role until he is blown up in the breach at C Rodrigo, where he looses an arm and is invalided out of the army.

He is knighted soon after he returns and becomes and MP and a magistrate. Does some negotiation with Sharpe in the maters regarding the 2nd battalion of the South Essex, with Horse Guards and Lord Fenner.

Lawford is always polite an cordial with Sharpe, Treats him genially, but the relationship is never one of equals or of true friends. To my mind Sharpe always seems to be a convenient resources that Lawford is using.

William Lawford appears in a number of the sharpe novels which is Sharpes Tiger, Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Company. Sharpe's Escape and Sharpes Regiment

Captain Lennox

A competent officer of the South Essex that had previously server with the 78th foot at the Battle of Assaye. Was mortally wounded when the Sir Henry Simmerson lost the regiments colours at Valdeselacasa, and requested that Lieutenant Richard Sharpe replace them with an French Eagle as a dying wish.

Captain Lennox only appears in one Sharpe book which is Sharpe's Eagle.

Captain Thomas Leroy

An American, Cigar smoking senior Captain of the South Essex regiment who travelled out to the war with the South Essex, he was always friendly to Sharpe in his conflicts with other officers.

Was seriously injured Badajoz, but came back was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel he commanded the South Essex at Vitorial, but died in the assault on Gamorra Mayor.

Captain Leroy appears in three Sharpe books which are Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Company and Sharpe's Honor

Sergeant Eli Lockheart

Eli Lockheart is a cavalry segeant who befriends Ensign Richard Sharpe just before the siege of Gawilghur, whilst Sharpe is working for Captain Torrance on the supply chain.

Eli is the slat of the earth sergeant type and the two become good friends. The frienship is strained slightly when sharpes lover Clare Wall leaves Sharpe in favour of Eli

Sergeant Eli Lockheart only appears in one of the sharpe novels which is Sharpes Fortress