LEST WE FORGET
Squadron Leader Arthur John SHARP DFC
Service No: 402140
Born: Sydney NSW, 21 May 1916
Enlisted in the RAAF: 27 May 1940
Unit: No. 15 Squadron, Camden, NSW
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 26 March 1943 (Citation Summary: No. 2 Squadron RAAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 15 Squadron Beaufort aircraft A9-566), off QLD Coast, 11 March 1945, Aged 29 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Albert Allan and Alice Mary Sharp; husband of Margaret Jean Sharp, of Harden, New South Wales.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 5, Sydney Memorial, Rookwood NSW
Remembered: Panel 101, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Eureka Honour Roll 1339-1945, Eureka NSW
DFC Citation: “Flying Officer Sharp of No. 2 Squadron RAAF was participating in a strike over the target area when his port engine failed. Immediately dumping his bombs and some fuel he then found his starboard engine would not make full power. He unhesitatingly attempted to reach his base despite 450 miles open sea crossing in adverse weather. Due to his flying skill and courage, the journey was completed, and a forced landing made in three feet of water.” (London Gazette 26 March 1943 p 1414)
Beaufort aircraft A9-566 went missing on 11 March 1945 on a flight from Camden NSW to Madang PNG and was last reported over Bowen QLD. Despite extensive searches, no trace was found of the aircraft or the crew.
The crew members of A9-566 were:
Leading Aircraftman Douglas Milne Finley (72896) (Fitter IIE, Supernumerary)
Warrant Officer John Norton Mossop (407846) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Squadron Leader Arthur John Sharp (402140) (Pilot)
Warrant Officer Ernest Andrew Thompson (408889) (Navigator Bomb Aimer)
Flight Lieutenant Tristam Wilfred Pascoe Williams (26792) (Wireless Air Gunner)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 252
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line
Bibliography:
Wilson, S. (Stewart) Beaufort, Beaufighter and Mosquito in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1990