John Sharman was born in Ballarat and was a Bootmaker by trade when he enlisted in the 39th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement on 10 March 1916 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 September 1916. . In April 1917 he attended a course at the School of Farriery at Romsey, England, and qualified as a cold shoer. In October of 1917 he arrived in France but two months later he faced a General Court Martial for ædisobeying an order in such a manner as to show wilful defiance of authority', and for being absent without leave. He was found not guilty of the æwilful defiance' charge. In April 1918 he was wounded in action, suffering shrapnel wounds to his face and left thigh, and a severe wound to his hand. He was evacuated to the Horton War Hospital at Epsom in England before being returned to Australia in October 1918.
Tree No. 2706