MCSHARRY, Basil James
| Service Numbers: | Q303146, 404710 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 22 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Mount Morgan, Queensland, 9 July 1920 |
| Home Town: | Mount Morgan, Rockhampton, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Rockhampton High School |
| Occupation: | Bank clerk |
| Died: | Natural causes (respiratory failure), Brisbane, Queensland, 12 February 2016, aged 95 years |
| Cemetery: |
Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Queensland |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 11 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Private, Q303146, 42nd Infantry Battalion, Yeppoon, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q303146 | |
| 7 Aug 1940: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q303146 | |
| 7 Aug 1940: | Discharged Private, Q303146 | |
| 8 Nov 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 404710, Brisbane, Queensland | |
| 8 Nov 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404710 | |
| 9 Nov 1940: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 404710, Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 27 Jul 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Airman Pilot | |
| 9 Jan 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404710, No. 22 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 9 Jan 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 404710 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Philip McSharry
Jim was born in Mt Morgan, 25 miles south East of Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia, the first child of James Francis (Sid) McSharry and Bridget Margaret (Bridie) Conroy. He matriculated as Dux of Rockhapton High in 1937 and joined the Commonwealth Bank in Mt Morgan. Jim enlisted in the RAAF on 8th November, 1940 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer (trove.nla.gov.au) on 13th July, 1941, serving in Canada, United Kingdom, the Mediterranean and the Philippines.
He was severely wounded by an enemy cannon shell while flying out of Malta in 1942, but landed safely before passing out at the controls. He was later awarded a "Mention in Despatches (www.awm.gov.au)" for the feat.
He was a Flight Lieutenant in the 22nd Squadron (RAAF) in Sydney before being honourably discharged (while acting Squadron Leader) on 19th August 1945 at the end of WW2.
Returning to the Bank after the war, he was moved to Brisbane and was engaged to Betty Kitson (www.myheritage.com) in November 1946, Betty was born november 12, 1923 in Brisbane and she also served in the Air Force during the war years. They were married on Easter Monday 1947 (www.myheritage.com) in St Stephens Cathedral, Brisbane. They had three children, Philip James (1948) Diane Patricia (1950) and Lesleay Anne (1952).
Jim completed a Bachelor of Economics at the University of QLD by studying part time and was transferred to the Reserve Bank of Australia shortly after its formation. He served that bank in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and London UK, before his retirement.
Jim passed away peacefully in his sleep at a nursing home in Brisbane at age 95.
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