Edward Thomas (Ted) SHARP

SHARP, Edward Thomas

Service Number: NX53176
Enlisted: 24 June 1940
Last Rank: Lance Corporal
Last Unit: 2nd/3rd Pioneer Battalion
Born: Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia, 30 June 1908
Home Town: Kogarah, Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Bakers Delivery driver
Died: Mount Lawley, Western Australia, 7 February 2001, aged 92 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, Padbury, Western Australia
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

24 Jun 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, NX53176
22 Nov 1941: Embarked Australian Army (Post WW2), Private, NX53176, 2nd/3rd Pioneer Battalion
30 Aug 1945: Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, NX53176

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Biography contributed by Carl Konstz

He landed in Egypt on 22/11/1941. After spending some time in Palestine, the battalion was sent to Syria to undertake garrison duties following the completion of the campaign against the Vichy French forces there. The battalion was transferred to the 9th Division in early 1942 and in July the 9th Division was moved from Syria to Egypt. The 9th Division was rushed from Syria to the Alamein area and held the northern sector for almost four months as the Eighth Army reinforced for an offensive. The 2/3rd moved to Bir Abu Shinena, part of the "Alamein box", at the start of August and became attached to the 24th Australian Infantry Brigade. The pioneers replaced the 2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion, which had suffered heavy casualties, and went into reserve. They helped defend the area and improve the defences before the Allied counter-attack in October. On the night of the 25th October the battalion was laying a minefield in front of the German position (no mans land). Once the moon came out the Germans began to fire mortars and anti tank guns at the battalion. It was during this activity that he was wounded in the buttocks and legs from shrapnel. (they laid 1000 mines that night) He was evacuated to hospital and only re joined the battalion on 10/1/1943, just before they returned to Australia on 25/1/1943 to land in Sydney on 28/2/1943

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