From Hilltops Councillor – Matthew Stadtmiller

Gundagai RSL Sub-Branch lost it’s oldest and last WWII veteran member with the passing of Mr Alan Sharp at his home “Ellerslie”, Jugiong. He was attended by his loving family, wife June and children Judy, Peter, Tanya and will join daughter Leanne who passed in 2019. Alan turned 100 on 16 February.

Alan joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on June 3, 1942 and travelled to Scapa Flow to join HMAS Shropshire as a “gunner’s mate” on February 3, 1943. On return to Australia “Shropshire” immediately joined Task Force 74 based at Milne Bay and her campaign against the Japanese began in December 1943 as part of the island hopping strategy employed to regain Dutch New Guinea and surrounding islands. On October 25, 1944 Alan, as a “gunner” saw action against the Japanese fleet of Admiral Nishimura with “Shropshire” engaging in Japanese flagship Yamashiro.

As one of many Allied Warships, “Shropshire” was in attendance in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese Surrender Ceremony on September 2, 1945 and from there Alan returned with the ship to Australia, where he was posted to HMAS Lonsdale to end of his naval service on February 13, 1946. Alan married the love of his life, June, in 1948 at San Souci and in 1956, with three children, took up a “Soldier’s Settlement” at Jugiong.

With a once off payment of 300 pounds Government payment he worked the property, subsidising his grant with work on neighbouring properties as a “roustabout” and doing fencing until 1995 when he leased the property with the agreement that he continue to live in their family (farm) home “Ellerslie”.

Being Corowa born, Alan and his cousin Harvey attended ANZAC Day at Corowa until Harvey passed at which time Alan became a regular at the Jugiong service. Alan was always a supporter of the local community with his family particularly remembering his attendance at the Sunday “Choir Practice” sessions at the old Jugiong Pub where the problems of the world would be solved. A definite character who will be missed by the Jugiong community and all at the Gundagai RSL Sub-Branch. Lest We Forget.

• Topics:

• Local Council
• Anzac Day