Sharpe, Wallace
Wallace Sharpe was born in Gerringong on 28 June 1891. Wallace did not follow the family tradition of farming. Instead, he worked with his Uncle, Will Nelson, in his Gerringong general store. Often riding his horse to outlying parts of the district, Wallace was very popular and likeable, and of good moral character. He also played tennis with the Gerringong Tennis Club.
Enlisting on 29 July 1915, Wally, as he was familiarly called, joined the 6th Light Horse Regiment, 16th Reinforcement, embarking from Sydney on 3 May 1916 on HMAT Hymettus, leaving his home, 'Aorangi' in Gerringong forever.
The First Battle of Amman aimed at cutting the Hejaz railway line running south from Damascus. The operation began on 22 March 1918 with the building of bridges across the River Jordan. Rain made going extremely difficult, but by the evening of the 25th, the village of Es Salt had been taken. On the morning of the 27th, the attack began on Amman. About 3000 Allied soldiers faced 4000 Turks in well prepared positions, supported by machine-guns and fifteen artillery pieces.
The Turkish resistance, bolstered by the German Asia Corps, proved impossible to overcome. By 2 April, the Allies had withdrawn. The venture had cost 118 killed and 55 missing from the Mounted Division.
According to a Red Cross Report:
'Informant states that on the 28/3/18, the Regiment was in action against the Turks at Amman east of the River Jordan in Palestine. During the advance, Sharpe was hit by machine gun fire, together with two or three others. Informant was about 50 yards away, and saw all the men hit, lying on the ground. He recognised Sharpe who was still alive.
'I knew Sergeant Sharpe by sight. He was a tall man standing about 6ft. of big build, dark, clean shaved. He went out with Liet. Ridgway’s party, when they made an unsuccessful attack on Aman. We were in support; Ringrose was the only man of the party who returned. He reported that everyone of them had been hit. This was on the 28th March, 1918. Another attack was made on Amman 6 months after this and the place was taken. Some of us went out to see the place where Liet. Ridgeway’s party had been attacked.The dead bodies were lying there just as they had fallen, and we buried them. Sharpe was identified by some of the men. Sharpe was one of the most popular men in the Regiment – He was a great leader of men.'
Wallace was at first reported missing, on March 28 1918. Back on the homefront, the family lived in anxiety and suspense, not knowing whether 27-year-old Wallace was alive or dead. Finally, nearly a year later, they received the bad news.