SHARP, Peter
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Rank:
Lance Corporal
Unit / Base:
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Service:
Army
Number:
3059646
Died :
Monday, December 22, 1947
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age:
29
Cemetery/Memorial:
Operations:
Lance Corporal Peter Sharp, 5 troop, was severely wounded 17 April 1945 during the last few days of action in Italy. He remained a patient from that day until he died of his wounds at Carstairs Military Hospital in 1947*. Son of Thomas Sharp, and of Elizabeth Russell Sharp, of Musselburgh. A former Miner from Musselburgh, he had served with No 2 Commando since at least 1942. He was in 'B' Section of 5 troop whilst they were in Ayr. ** Eric Buckmaster served with Peter in 5 troop and added the following:
" Peter was a pleasant quiet lad, medium height, slimly built but strong. He was a Miner. He was also a very good boxer ( see photo of No 2 Cdo Boxing team ).
In the designations of that time I think he would have been a light middle or welter weight.
Peter was sadly wounded in the last action at Argenta Gap. He was with my Brother Stanley and Peter was acting as No 2 on the Bren Gun which Stanley held.
Their section was being mortared heavily and they were using a bank or dyke as cover from direct fire. An NCO ordered them over the bank and they both responded with Stanley leading the way with Peter following, but when they got over the bank, Stanley realised there was absolutely no cover for them. There was one very shallow slit trench which he threw himself into and set up the Bren Gun, and he told Peter to go back. As Peter scrambled back over the dyke he was hit in the back with some six 9mm bullets.
He survived for some 2 years , but was paralysed. Whilst in the slit trench, Stanley's mess tins in his back pack were torn to shreds by by mortar splinters, but he was lucky enough to suffer no personal injury, and when the mortaring finished he was able to rejoin the Section"
Additional Sources
Casualty lists / National Archives file WO417/91.
CWGC.
*Commando Association Newsletter 6 of March 1948.
**Notebook of LSgt Joe Rogers MM No 2 Cdo. 5 tp
Primary Roll of Honour:
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
Photo of grave in Gallery:
Yes
Archive pages :
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