Gordon Cameron SHARP

Gordon Cameron SHARP Update Details

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SHARP, Gordon Cameron

Service Number:	2781465
Enlisted:	1 March 1965
Last Rank:	Second Lieutenant
Last Unit:	6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR)
Born:	Tamworth, New South Wales, 17 March 1945
Home Town:	Tamworth, Tamworth Municipality, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	TV cameraman
Died:	Killed in Action, Long Tan, South Vietnam, 18 August 1966, aged 21 years
Cemetery:	Tamworth Lincoln Grove Memorial Gardens and Crematorium
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane 11 Platoon Delta Company Memorial Plaque, Grafton Clarence Valley Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Kallangur Vietnam Veterans' Place, Maryborough Battle of Long Tan Mural, Maryborough Long Tan Cross, McLaren Vale Garden of Remembrance, Port Pirie Vietnam Veterans Honour Wall, Rutherglen Long Tan Cross, Seymour Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk Roll of Honour

Vietnam War Service

1 Mar 1965:	Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), 2781465
8 Jun 1966:	Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Second Lieutenant, 2781465, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR)
8 Jun 1966:	Involvement 2781465
18 Aug 1966:	Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Second Lieutenant, 2781465, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), Long Tan

I remember Gordon

I remember Gordon when I was a 15 year old cadet at Tamworth in 1962. When he went to Vietnam I recall being unhappy about his death there. In 1967 I volunteered for National Service for several reasons, one being his story and influence on my own developing sense of self and what I wanted to do with my life. I have often thought of him over the years, even now in my late 70's.I like to think that in some small, intangible way he lives on in my memory and no doubt that of others. I write this contribution to further acknowledge and honour his sacrifice. words do not (as usual) tell the story of our lived experience, but at least they help to point the way. It would be nice to see some other acknowledgement, perhaps by way of a Gordon Sharpe Memorial Fund Scholarship to undertake University and other studies for Returned Service Personnel and their children.

Biography contributed by John Edwards

"... television cameraman Gordon Cameron Sharp... was called up as part of the first national service ballot in March 1965. He underwent officer training at Scheyville and was posted to Vietnam with the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) in June 1966. On 18 August 1966, 2781465 2nd Lieutenant Sharp was in command of 11 Platoon, D Company when they encountered a large enemy force in the Long Tan rubber plantation. Sharp's platoon was pinned down by the intense fire and suffered several casualties. Despite this, he continued to direct his men and call for artillery support. Visibility was hampered by the monsoonal rain and when he raised himself from the ground to better observe his position and direct gunfire, he was shot and killed. Gordon Sharp was the only Australian officer killed in the battle. His body was returned to Tamworth for burial." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

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