100 Days of Heroes: Gallant stretcher-bearer Richard Sharp died in France

FEW World War I soldiers were held in such high regard as the stretcher-bearers Who put their own lives at risk to return injured comrades to safety behind the lines.

Richard Ralph Sharp is commemorated at tree #458 on the Soldiers' Memorial Avenue in Hobart.

FEW World War I soldiers were held in such high regard as the stretcher-bearers, those brave medics who put their own lives at risk to return injured comrades to safety behind the lines.

Richard Ralph Sharp was one of them, born at Hobart in October 1888, the second of three sons and one daughter to the Reverend George Sharp and his wife Marianne Gimblett of Glebe St, Hobart.

He was educated at Leslie House School (now part of The Friends’ School) and in 1905 qualified for university entry but opted instead to work at the Commercial Bank for five years before becoming an orchardist at Cygnet.

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Soldier Richard Sharp.

He was a Sunday School superintendent in the Congregational Church (now Uniting Church) and a good long distance runner, winning several medals with the Tasmanian Amateur Athletics Association.

He enlisted at Claremont in June 1915, aged 26, and signed his name as Ralph Sharp.

After spending time in England training, he went to France in June 1916, joining the 3rd Field Ambulance.

In December he became sick with influenza and was treated at Le Havre before returning to his unit on Christmas Eve 1916.

On May 7, 1917 he was on stretcher duty near Bullecourt when he was hit in the chest by shrapnel.

Richard Sharp’s grave in the Vaulx Australian Field Ambulance Cemetery, France. Picture: A. HOWARD & K. BLACK

He died the same day at the main dressing station for the 5th Field Ambulance. His funeral was attended by many from his unit and they erected a substantial cross over the grave in his memory.

“A gallant fellow whom we expected would get the MC [Military Cross]” wrote a member of his unit.

He was later interred at Vaulx Australian Field Ambulance Cemetery, France.

Richard’s father was living in Huonville when his personal effects were sent home in 1918, but the Reverend Sharp had died by the time his son’s medals became available and these were forwarded to Richard’s eldest brother who was living in New Zealand.

Private Richard Ralph Sharp is remembered at tree 458 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue and on honour boards at the Hobart Town Hall and Scots Memorial Uniting Church.