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
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbes-Lloyd | George Vincent | Flight Lieutenant | Pilot | RAFVR 115835. Killed. |
| Tribble | Gordon Francis | Flight Sergeant | 2nd Pilot | RAFVR 1802210. Killed. |
| Sharp | William John | Pilot Officer | Navigator | RAAF 418883. Killed. |
| Slack | Ernest | Warrant Officer | Air Bomber | RAFVR 1109089. Killed. |
| Geldert | John William | Flight Sergeant | Flight Engineer | RAFVR 967135. Killed. |
| Marshall | Peter Bryan | Flight Sergeant | Wireless Operator | RAFVR. Killed. |
| Nater | Douglas William | Sergeant | Wireless Operator | RAFVR 1339183. Killed. |
| Deem | Fred James | Sergeant | Wireless Operator | RAFVR 1320050. Killed. |
| Moore | Clifford Henry | Warrant Officer | RAFVR. Survived. | |
| Bowater | Charles Wilfred | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR. Survived. |
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.