The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-04-21
Arrested and Sentenced to Barracks Because He Gave Wrong Age and Name In Enlisting With Canadians

was he who taught his brothers how to use their hands to advantage. but never again will be able to wieId mitt, for he was wounded and gassed in the first battle of the Somme and has been advised to stay out of the squared arena.
 But Issy today stands out as the most promising of the Sharpe family His 19 years mean a world to his friends.
 When the war broke out between United States and Germany, Issy had just passed his 17th birthday. That was in 1917. Immediately after United States declared war that memorable April Issy without telling his friends or brothers Of his inten- tions went to the II. s. Army Recruit ing Station, but he was turned down because of his youth. In vain Issy pleaded with the officers, but while they complimented him they said they could not take him.
 But Issy was determined to get into the big fight. He had received letters from the battlefront from his broth CTS, who told the atrocities commit ted by the Germans and of their brutality. He could not remain here and be comfortable.
 So, turned down by the American authorities, but with the firm deter nina ton that he would get to France he made his way to the Brit ish recruiting office on Fairfield ave nue, where he gave his age as l? years and pointed out that he was of English birth. This was some time in December in 1917. He had left his brother to go to work at the Reming- ton Arms. He was paid off at 9:5o that morning and within three hours following his call at the Fairfield ave nue recruiting station he was on ms way to Canada. being sent there from New Haven where he passed the reg uIation English army medical and physical tests.
 He remained in Canada three weeks and then was shipped from Mont-aI to England. He stayed IT England six weeks, taking the oppor- tunity to visit his folks. Then he went to France where he soon was sent to the battlefront, but came through the combats without scratch Upon his return behind the lines he was sent to Purfleet, camp Tn Ergland. where he was placed under arrest charged Wlll1 ldiS6 Slli4Sl4iiCAAS' the charge being based on the fact that Issy gave his wrong age and name. He was tried. found guilty, and served II days in the barracks.
 Such was Issy's reward for sacri- f7cing his all simply because he was patriotic enough to want to fight for his country. Giving his wrong age and name was his only means of get ting into the affray, but military laws are strict and Issy had to take the consequences.
 Upon his release from the barracks he took part in a camp boxing cham pionship open only to those soldiers in that particular camp. He won his way to the finals, ultimately winning the competition. being characterized as champion. Later he met and beat Private I5oskyne. who was then ban tanlweight champion of the Canadian Army This chap lost to Conan in six rounds and Issy was proclaimed ban tamweight champion of the Canadian army This contest was fought in England. He returned to Purfieet later and was there appointed boxing nstructor-honored even by those who sat at the trial table and sen fenced him to the barracks for false enlistment.
 In all Issy was in the Canadian ser vice abroad fl months and returned to this country, December 14. 1918. Since he has been back he has de- feated Gene Geradi in Montreal and Jeff Reagan. He is matched to box Mickey Travers at Battling Levinsky's show at the Casino on May 5th.
 In the course of three years and four months he has engaged n 45 professional bouts.
 But Issy today is spending his birthday anniversary training-trai1- ing in the hope that some day he will realize his great ambition-to be 3 champion.