Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Royal Humane Society, Testimonial on Vellum, inscribed ‘Lionel M. Sharp is justly entitled to the Honorary Testimonial of this society inscribed on Vellum which is hereby awarded him for having on the 9th July 1914 at great personal risk gallantly attempted to rescue the Reverend D. Walters who was unfortunately drowned at Goodwick, Fishguard’, mounted on card, generally good condition £80-£100

D.C.M. London Gazette 21 June 1916:
‘For consistent good work with a Signal Section. He has set a fine example to those under him when carrying out difficult and dangerous work.’

The following article from The Western Mail, 11 July 1914, gives further detail behind Sharp’s rescue attempt:
‘Assistant-scoutmaster Leo Sharp’s plucky deed in trying to save the Rev. D. Walters from drowning at Goodwick has excited much admiration. He had just finished dressing after a long swim with two other scouts, Exon and Creece, when he heard Mr. Walters call for help. Clad in heavy nailed boots and knickers, Sharp swam out to the distressed clergyman, who had gone down. He dived, and seizing him by the hair hauled him up. Sharp was dragged under twice, but got underneath and pushed Mr. Walters forward, calling on his two scouts to bring a punt. This was brought at once, and within two or three minutes the body was landed. While the other boys went for the doctor and appliances Sharp commenced artificial respiration but without avail.
Scoutmaster Sharp is the second son of Captain R. Sharp, Fishguard Harbour, and efforts to secure recognition of his deed are being made in the proper quarter.’

Lionel ‘Leo’ Meredith Sharp was born in Newhaven, Sussex in February 1894. At the time of the rescue he was employed as a Fitters Apprentice, and lived in Goodwick, Pembrokeshire. The Reverend David Walters was 32 and of St. Peter’s Church, Goodwick. Sharp enlisted in the Royal Engineers in September 1914, and served with the 14th Signal Company as a Sergeant in the French theatre of war from 19 May 1915. He distinguished himself on the Western Front in 1916, and was gassed in October the following year. After the war he joined the Merchant navy and was employed as an engineer.

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