British Groups

Lot 4006    The J.J.Atkinson Collection    British Groups

Estimate $7,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $13,000

GROUP OF TEN TO AIR VICE MARSHAL ALFRED CHARLES HENRY SHARP, Royal Air Force Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE); Distinguished Service Order (1944); Air Force Cross (1947); India General Service Medal 1908 - one bar Mohmand 1933 (F/L. A.C.H. Sharp. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal; British War Medal 1939-45; Commander of the Legion of Merit (USA); Silver Star Medal (USA). India General Service Medal impressed, others unnamed. Generally very fine or better and a rare group.

CBE: London Gazette 1 January 1953.

DSO: London Gazette 10 November 1944. 'In recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. This officer has participated in many sorties during which he has attacked such targets as Hamburg, Bremen and heavily defended centres in the Ruhr area. Throughout these operations he has displayed the highest qualities of skill and leadership and by his example has proved most inspiring. In addition to his work in the air, Air Commodore Sharp has shown great organising ability and his excellent work has contributed in a large way to the successes of the squadrons he commands. This officer has rendered outstanding service. Air Commodore Sharp embodies in high measure the offensive spirit. That he has only completed 23 sorties during the War has been solely due to his employment on important administrative and liaison duties. Throughout the winter of 1940/41 he was operating on Blenheims, attacking amongst other objectives Duisberg, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Bremen and other targets in the Ruhr. At that time the Blenheim was not generally regarded as suitable for night operations in winter, and with the navigational aids available, the longer trips, such as those to Hamburg, embodied a considerable hazard. While acting as Liaison Officer with the U.S.A.A.F, he was able to undertake a further 3 sorties, including one to Hanover. In February 1944, he returned to operational duties as an Air Commodore in command of No.54 Base. He immediately started to gain experience by flying with as many pilots in his squadrons as possible, and completed 7 sorties before orders were received prohibiting him from flying operations. During the 7 sorties which he undertook, he gained valuable experience of controlling Bomber operations, experience which he proved of great benefit in evolving the methods now employed in No. 54 Base. He is imbued with a genuine desire to operate against the enemy and this spirit is well known throughout his Base, and has served to inspire those under him to a high standard of (continued) duty. Air Commodore Sharp's highly efficient operational and administrative control of his base have been directly responsible for its outstanding Pathfinder achievements. Special and varied operational missions have been imposed upon the Squadrons under his Command and have been carried out with maximum efficiency and success on all occasions. I very strongly recommend the award of the Distinguished Order.'

AFC: London Gazette 1 January 1947. 'This officer has been Director of Accident Prevention since the inception of the branch. It is essential that the entire directorate should be completely 'au fait' with the handling and characteristics of all types of Service aircraft and that all members should be capable of lecturing aircrews on their particular type. This desirable state of affairs has been fully realised in the directorate, largely due to the initiative and example of Air Commodore Sharp. He is a fully qualified pilot on all types of aircraft now in service and makes a practice of demonstrating them wherever possible, to Home and Overseas Commands. He has recently completed a tour of the U.S.A.A.F Stations, where he flew several American aircraft including the latest jets. It is considered that his outstanding contribution to the prevention of accidents, mainly achieved by his personal flying example, well merits recognition.'

Commander of the Legion of Merit: London Gazette 20 December 1946. 'In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war and for performance of meritorious services from 1st December 1942 to 31st June 1943. As Deputy Chief of Staff of the Eighth Air Force, Air Commodore Sharp served on the immediate staflt“f of the Commanding General, Eighth Air Force and acted as the personal advisor to the Commanding General on all matters connected with the use of the United Kingdom as a base for United States Force operations. Through his extraordinary ability to combine frankness and friendship, and because he considered himself to all intents and purposes as being a member of the United States Air Forces, responsible to them for the ease and efficiency of their growth and operations in a locale with which he was peculiarly familiar, he assisted the United States Air Forces to avoid the fractions of procedural differences, and materially accelerated the application of the United Sates Air Power upon the common enemy, thereby reflecting great credit upon his nation and upon the Royal Air Force.'

Silver Star Medal: London Gazette 3 December 1943. 'In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war. and for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States. Air Commodore Sharp, as Chairman of the Operational Planning Committee charged with co-ordinating the bombing efforts of the Eighth Air Force with those of the Royal Air Force Bomber, Fighter and Coastal Commands, realised the necessity for personally observing the operations of high altitude bombing missions and voluntarily served as a crew member on a raid against an important enemy installation, where intense enemy opposition might be expected. On 14th July 1943, while Air Commodore Sharp was flying as an observer and waist gunner on a B-17 air plane on a mission over enemy occupied territory, the aircraft was attacked viciously and persistently by numerous enemy fighter planes. Displaying great courage and gallantry, Air Commodore Sharp manned his guns and assisted in driving off repeated attacks of hostile planes. On this mission, Air Commodore Sharp made many valuable observations and obtained combat information and data vital to successful operational planning. This display of gallantry and personal courage under the intense enemy fire, was a source of inspiration to all members of his combat crew. The courage, coolness and complete disregard of personal danger displayed on this occasion by Air Commodore Sharp reflected the highest credit upon himself and armed forces of His Majesty's Government.'

Together with extensive biography; copies of original award recommendations; extract of postings and active service details; copies of extensive correspondence relating to the US awards; extracts from 'Dambuster - a Life of Guy Gibson VC'; copies of photographs (including some with Guy Gibson); newspaper clipping and 'Who was Who' entry.

Alfred Charles Henry Sharp (1904-1956) was born 13 November 1904, son of an Indian Civil Servant. Sharp's education began at King's College School and later Wimbledon and Selwyn College, Cambridge. Joining the RAF in 1924, Sharp gained his wings the following year and moved to his first active posting at Kohat, India in 1928 as part of No.1 Squadron. Sharp returned to England in 1934, joining RAF Staff Headquarters and then No. 23 Fighter Squadron at Biggin Hill, Kent. After attending the selective Staff College at Andover in 1937 Sharp was promoted to Squadron Leader as a member of Air Staff, Bomber Command.

In October 1940 Sharp was promoted to Commanding Officer of No.18 Bomber Squadron. During this period Sharp led thirteen sorties over Germany, Belgium and France. Highlighting a streak of courage, Sharp in one instance aborted a squadron operation only to then proceed and attack the designated target alone. In March 1941 Sharp joined the Air Ministry as Deputy Director of Organisation (Planning). This was followed by promotion to Group Captain (March 1942) and then appointment to Air Aide de Camp to the King (July 1943). Later in July, Sharp volunteered for the position of Liaison Officer with the United States Air Force which afforded him the opportunity - aged nearly forty - to act as waist gunner in a B17 Flying Fortress. This temporary and much enjoyed occupation earned Sharp a Silver Star (see citation).

In February 1944 Sharp became Commanding Officer of No. 54 Air Base at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, which included the famed 617 Squadron led by Leonard Cheshire. Early into his command Sharp co-piloted a Lancaster in a dangerous sortie over Stuttgart and despite heavy damage sustained to his aircraft continued to co-pilot further missions. This behaviour caused concern at Bomber Command resulting in Sharp's transfer to an administrative post in South East Asia.

After the conclusion of the war Sharp assumed the position of Director of Accident Prevention - another avenue to get 'back in the air'. An AFC was awarded to Sharp for his piloting skills and their role in accident prevention. Sharp later graduated from the Imperial Defence College in 1948 and was promoted to Air Vice-Marshal in 1951. Sharp retired from the air force voluntarily in 1953, receiving a CBE and taking a position as Executive Vice-President of a Boston industrial corporation. He died prematurely on 7 February 1956, aged 51.