Oliver Benson Sharpe

Oliver Benson Sharpe

Personal Information
Date of Birth	7 Aug 1916
Place of Birth	Pickering Brook, Western Australia
Death	13 Mar 2011, aged 94
Place of Death	Shoalwater, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	24 years, 6 months
Description	5'7½" (1.71m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; hazel eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Orchard hand
Address	Prospect road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Johnstone Sharpe
Military Information
Reg Number	W20708 & WX38891
Date of Enlistment	7 Mar 1941
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment)
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia

Pre War

Electoral Roll entries: 1937 - 1943 Canning Mills, wood cutter. During 1942 Oliver married Winnie Virtue Logan. Winnie died in Shoalwater on 9 Nov 2004, aged 84

War Service

Original enlistment (part time) occurred on 7 Mar 1943 when he was mobilised in Perth and allocated to the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment). Oliver entered camp from 17 Jul 1941 until 14 Oct 1941, after which on 16 Dec 1941 he was called up for full time duty. On 27 Jan 1942 he was admitted to the Melville Camp Hospital, remaining with them until 10 Feb 1942. During 1942 he was granted a number of short term leave without pay periods to help with the orchard, and in January 1943 he was granted a 3 month period of LWOP, however, on 25 Feb 1943 he entrained for Adelaide, enroute to the Northern Territory where he rejoined the battalion on 24 Feb 1943. On 30 Jun 1943 Oliver enlisted in the 2nd AIF, and soon after, from 19 July until 11 August he attended the No 8 D & M Course at the Northern Territory Force Training School. He was detached to the HQ Northern Territory Force from 28 Oct 1943 until 12 Nov 1943.

On 14 Jan 1944 he altered his NOK to his wife Wimmie Virtue Sharpe, and soon after he had Proficiency Pay back dated to 1 Jul 1943. On 21 Nov 1944 he left the Northern Territory for Western Australia. On 5 Jan 1945 Oliver was admitted to the 118th Australian General Hospital with a back issue (lumba sacral drain), remaining with them until released to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot on 5 Feb 1945. He was readmitted to hospital, 110th Australian Base Hospital on 6 Mar 1945 and on 10 Apr 1945 he was medically reclassified B1 Back - unfit for heavy lifting. On 15 Apr 1945 he was released to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to be reallocated. On 30 Apr 1945 he was transferred to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion, remaining with them until he began his discharge process at Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. Oliver was discharged on 27 Nov 1945.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 -1958 Karragullen, orchardist; 1963 - 1972 Aldersyde road, Kalamunda, orchardist; 1977 - 1980 at 168 Kew street, Kewdale, storeman. Daughter Barbara Kay.