Pilot Officer William John Sharp (418883) served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War Two. At his time of death, he was on attachment to RAF 202 Squadron.
William was the son of Horace Hurstfield Sharp and Justine Sharp of Burwood, Victoria, Australia. He is one of many ANZAC troops buried in Northern Ireland during World War Two.
On 20th November 1944, he was the navigator on Consolidated Catalina JX242. The Mark IVA flying boat took off from RAF Castle Archdale, Co. Fermanagh. The plane came down near Lough an Laban, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh at 0715hrs. Of a 10 man crew, 8 died in the crash. Pilot Officer Sharp was 21 years old.
Remembering the crew of Catalina JX242
William John Sharp’s grave is in Plot 2, Grave 35 of Irvinestown Church of Ireland, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh. His headstone bears the inscription:
His duty fearlessly and nobly done. Ever remembered.