The AIF Project

George Shirley SHARP

Regimental number154
Place of birthBendigo Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSawyer
Address126 Forrest Street, Boulder City, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Next of kinA.P. Sharp, 126 Forrest Street, Boulder, Western Australia
Previous military service84th Infantry
Enlistment date25 August 1914
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll20 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit nameDivisional Signal Company 1
AWM Embarkation Roll number22/11/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A10 Karroo on 20 October 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollComissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Divisional Signal Company
FateReturned to Australia 8 October 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'During the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th August, 1916, he displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty in laying and repairing telephone lines from CHALK PIT to the front line. On the night of 14th/15th August, 1916, when 13th Brigade were attacking, the telephone line from CHALK PIT to POZIERES was cut. He at once went out through a heavy barrage of fire and laid a new line and repaired the broken one, thereby enabling reports of the action to come through by phone, also minimising the risk of casualties to runners. Through the whole time he was always cheerful, thereby setting a splendid example to the men under him who were in action for the first time.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62
Date: 19 April 1917

Croix de Guerre (France)


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919

Bar to Military Medal

'On the 3rd September, 1916 when 13th Brigade was attacking MOUQUET FARM, Sergeant SHARP was in charge of telephone lines from POZIERES to Batttalions. He showed great gallantry and devotion to duty during the action. He repeatedly went out and mended telephone lines also ran new ones under very heavy fire. It was owing to his splendid work that telephone communication to Battalions was continuously maintenance.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133
Date: 21 August 1917

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal & Bar, Croix de Guerre (France), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.