Second Lieutenant Gordon Sharp's Long Tan map

Second Lieutenant Gordon Sharp

The Society’s lecture on Saturday, 4 December 2021 at Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, Sydney, was given by Major (retd) Paul Handel RFD on the topic ‘Australian Armour at Long Tan’.

The lecture was attended by Paul Mitrovich of the Army Museum Duntroon. Paul brought with him for display the original map found on 2781465 Second Lieutenant Gordon Cameron Sharp of Tamworth, New South Wales, who was killed in action early in the Battle of Long Tan, 18 August 1966.

Gordon Sharp's original map

Second Lieutenant Sharp, a television cameraman in civilian life, was called up as part of the first national service ballot in March 1965. He received officer training at Scheyville and in June 1966 was posted to Vietnam with 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He was in command of 11 Platoon, D Company when he was killed. It is reported that visibility was hampered by monsoonal rain when he raised himself from the ground to better observe his position and direct gunfire when he was shot. Second Lieutenant Sharp was the only Australian officer killed in the battle.

Painting of the Battle of Long Tan by Paul Fletcher, 1970

Paul Mitrovich explained that this was the first occasion on which the map was exhibited publicly. The map was donated to the Long Tan Company of the Corps of Staff Cadets by a Long Tan veteran who over time began to feel uneasy about retaining it in his private possession. It is currently in the stewardship of the Army Museum Duntroon and can be viewed by appointment.

Second Lieutenant Sharp’s body was returned to Tamworth and is buried at Lincoln Grove Memorial Gardens and Crematorium.

The Society's main website is here: www.militaryhistorynsw.com.au