SHARPE, Lindsay Dennis
| Service Number: | R93071 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 July 1960 |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Melbourne (II) |
| Born: | Norseman, Western Australia , 27 March 1944 |
| Home Town: | Norseman, Dundas, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Norseman, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Tumby Bay RSL Portrait Memorials |
Malaysia / Indonesia Confrontation Service
| 13 Jul 1960: | Involvement Royal Australian Navy, Warrant Officer, R93071 | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Jul 1960: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, R93071 | |
| 12 Jul 1980: | Discharged Royal Australian Navy, Warrant Officer, R93071, HMAS Melbourne (II) | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement Warrant Officer, R93071 |
Help us honour Lindsay Dennis Sharpe's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Geoffrey Stewart
Lindsay (Skeeter) was born at Norseman (WA) on 27 Mar 44 to Percival (Percy) Sharpe and Linda Sharpe (nee Britza). His dad was a gold miner in the Norseman area.
Skeeter went to Norseman Junior High School until year 10. After leaving school he moved to Bunbury and took employ in a number of jobs before joining the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1960 as a “boy sailor” (16 year old). He undertook junior Recruit Training at HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle (WA): on completion of branch training, he entered the fleet. After 3 years at sea on both HMAS Queensborough and HMAS Melbourne, including operational service in which the crews were awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal for their actions during the period of “emergency and confrontation”, he returned ashore to HMAS Harman (ACT). It was here that he met and became engaged to, the love of his life, Elizabeth (Liz) Kearns.
Immediately after his engagement he was promoted to Leading Seaman and posted to the US for a 12 month period to commission Australia’s first guided missile destroyer, HMAS "Perth". He returned to Australia in 1966, reacquainted with Liz after the long distance love affair and they got married on 12 Apr 66.
He was then posted ashore to complete his Petty Officer training at HMAS Watson (NSW), then back to sea on HMAS Melbourne (again). After 12 years at sea and service on 5 ships, Skeeter finally “paid off” in 1980 to gain some family stability.
Skeeter, Liz and family (now consisting of 2 boys – Wayne and Peter) moved to Bunbury, WA. They achieved the sought stability, as the family remained in this location for 20 years: Skeeter having taken employ as a Safety Officer in a Chemical Plant and Liz assimilated into the area as a community worker.
After numerous holiday trips to Tumby Bay and after the family had flown the nest, Skeeter and Liz decided to move to Tumby. They built a house here (LINGALONGA) and settled in “the bay” in 2001
Skeeter’s family have a long tradition in the Services with his dad having served in Borneo in the Army during WW2 and both his sons having served: Wayne in the RAN for 18 years and Peter in the Army for 8 years.
He is a keen sportsman, having been the Captain of the Tumby Bay Golf Club in 2006, and is currently an active member of the Croquet Club.
Skeeter has held the following positions in the RSL
State Councillor (Eyre Peninsula) 2004 – 07
President of the Tumby Bay Sub Branch 2003 - 07
Click images to start slideshow.