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• John Bentley Sharp

Generation 2 - Children of John Bentley Sharp

• Eileen Sharp
• Joan Sharp
• Doreen Sharp
• Denis Sharp
• John Sharp
• Desmond Sharp
• Norrie Sharp

John Ross Sharp 1926 - 2010

John Ross Sharp was the elder of twins, born on 2 December 1926 in Dunedin. His twin brother is Desmond Dynes Sharp.

John was a photographer by trade, who spent some time in Japan shortly after the end of the Second World War as a War Photographer. See transcript of two letters sent home to Margaret Sharp (mother) and Eileen Baker (sister) below.

He was also a glider pilot of some note who held several New Zealand distance flying records for many years.

John owned his own photography business in Nelson for many years, and was Chief Photographer at his twin brother's daughter's wedding (Dale).

He married Shirley Dorothy Baldwin who was born on 3 April 1928 and had three sons, Christopher, Dale and Brenton.

Some time later, he married Loretta Goodwin and together they produced two more sons, Dayne and Brynley.

After John sold his business in Nelson, he spent several years travelling the world on cruise ships as a photographer.

John (left) and twin Desmond Sharp - 21st birthday, with parents Margaret and John Bentley

John was also a renowned glider pilot. This short newspaper article describes an incident John was involved in: "AIR ALERT. Crash firemen at Nelson Airport were alerted last night when a Piper Pawnee plane with a glider in tow reported severe engine vibrations. The plane was flying at 450 feet when the vibrations began. The pilot of the plane, Mr Kevin Allport, undertook the normal emergency procedure. He waved the glider off by waggling the Piper's wings and made a 180 degree turn back to the airport. The glider pilot, Mr John Sharp, also landed safely. The vibrations were thought to be caused by a broken camshaft. In eight years of flying yesterday was the first time Mr Allport had experienced any trouble."

He finally retired to Sydney where he resided until his death after a short illness on 11 June 2010. There was no funeral service, and following cremation, John's ashes were scattered at sea near Sydney on Saturday 23 October 2010.

His two sons Dayne and Bryn live in Sydney with their families. The family photo below taken recently shows their respective families. Dale lives in Wellington, Chris lives in Auckland and Brent lives in New Plymouth.

John's death notice, posted in Wellington's Dominion Post reads: "Sharp, John Ross - On 11th June 2010. Passed away peacefully at Sacred Heart Hospice, Sydney, aged 83 years. Loved husband of Loretta, and father of Dayne and Bryn. Also father of Chris, Dale and Brent and grandfather to his 14 grandchildren. Loved twin brother of Des. Private cremation to be held in Sydney on 17 June 2010."

The story of John and his childhood escapades is told by his twin brother Desmond Sharp.

Transcript of letters from Japan

LETTER FROM JOHN SHARP TO MARGARET SHARP (MOTHER)

To: Royal Hotel, Nelson, Monday 13 October 1947

From: Chofu, Japan

Dear Mum, I had a letter from Doreen last week, it gave me all the lowdown, including the floods that you have been having in Nelson lately. I stayed this weekend with Clive out at Ogaki Bay, what a weekend. Clive is engaged in the construction of the new camp there, and five Jap businessmen who have the buildong contract, invited Clive, 2 other chaps and myself to a party to celebrate the finishing of the major part of the work. We started at five, in a Jap. home and sat on the floor by low tables as a typical Jap dinner. It consisted of very large crabs, large shrimps and octopus. Needless to say we weren't very partial to them, and contented ourselves with fruit and beer. And that flowed freely. With the aid of an interpreter we had quite a party with the Japs, teaching them everything from "You are my sunshine" to "Cardinal XXXX". We broke up after about 2 1/2 hours and continued with the bash back at the soldiers beer bar at Ogaki. We were both xxx jobs by the time 10 o'clock came, but funnily enough we had little or no hangover the next morning.

Still getting the dark room into running order. I havent done any real work since I've been in the Army yet. All I have done so far is to supervise the work of the carpenters as they make alterations etc, so I took the opportunity last week of taking a week's leave in Tokyo. Beau, a Wellington chap, and myself leave tomorrow morning to spend a week of leisure and sightseeing, in the third largest city in the world. It'll be a great experience. The train trip is 36 hours there, in real continental style. We intend spending every night at one of the local night clubs and riding around Tokyo by day in rickshaws, generally making the very best of things. We're going to see the War Crimes Trials while there, they'll be a real education. Clive is loaning me his camera, so I'll send you some photos, as soon as I possibly can. I may not get another leave while here, but more than anything I want to see Tokyo. I had a letter from Des, he sounds as though he's having a bit of a rough spin. He went to see Dr Murray about his stomach. I hope he's okay now, and he's a little bit disappointed about our 21st, but we'll be able to make up for it at a later date. I still attend Holy Communion every Sunday morning, I like it, and it helps a lot when you are so far from home, but don't get me wrong Mum, I'm not homesick, even though I'll be damn glad to get back, but in the meantime there's so many new things to see, and new experiences, that a guy doesn't get a hell of a lot of time to dwell on his own thoughts. I get mail about three times a week from Shirley, and that helps a terrific lot. It would be damn lonely otherwise. Give my love to the family Mum, and I'm in the peak of condition, even putting on weight, and liking it here, all my love, your loving son John. X X X X

John Ross Sharp - Japan.	John Ross Sharp - Japan - getting patted down by an MP.

LETTER FROM JOHN SHARP TO EILEEN BAKER (SISTER)

To: Royal Hotel, Nelson, Sunday 23 November 1947

from: Chofu, Japan

Dear Eileen, It was a swell surprise to receive your letter yesterday, thanks a lot for this, for the low-down, I've often wondered how you have been making out. If you want the score on life over here, this is it, briefly. Everything is black market. From sexual intercourse to knitting needles. The Jap. food ration is small, and as a result they have to buy good and goods on the "black" to be able to survive. In the paper here, the other day, there was a report of a wealthy Jap. who absolutely refused on principle to buy food on the "black", and died as a result. Tokyo was a great experience. Beggars and urchins sleep in the corridors of Tokyo main railway station, and even in the streets. Clothing is scarce, only the rich can afford it. There'll be a few die during the winter. The standard wage is 1800 yen a month, and that wouldn't even buy a shirt and a pullover. The land is full of prostitutes, amateur and professionals, whose only object is to earn enough money on which to survive. VD is rampant, and our boys are going down with it right and left. The heads are really concerned. Two weeks ago, the Army VD rate for NZers was 300% higher than at any other time, and that with only half the force here. The MO told us bluntly that if the present rate continued one soldier in two will have contracted a form of VD by the time we leave in next July. This will interest you sis. Penicillin is not effecting the cures it has. Up till a little while ago, they could bring about a cure in 3-5 days, that is, with gonorrhea. But now it is taking 15-20 days, and they're really worried. They don't know this specific type of germ, and in the meantime all sorts of complications set in. The price (now standard) is a cake of chocolate, or a pkt of cigs for any girl that you may be attracted to. They wait just outside of the camp area and brazenly come up and ask you direct if they can please you. I've seen few Gheisha girls, but they are highly educated and have the art of pure entertaining to a T. Even then, they are not what they used to be. In short sis, the country is going to the pack and getting steadily worse. But the Jap. needs education. He has for ages now been only concerned in a little place called Japan and won't ask around overseas for the higher standards of living. In personal cleanliness he excels, but this is offset by the way both man and women, in any street, any time of the day, relieve themselves of their urine. Actually sex distinction is practically non-existent, here, their broad mindedness is commendable. Pity there isn't more of it in the home. But I'll be able to talk to you for hours about it at a later date.

Clive is encamped five miles from here and doing very well. He's a Sgt. I stay every second weekend with him. We usually contrive to stage a bash of some proportion. A guy has to, otherwise life would be pretty dull. I'll be glad when our term is up, I've just about had this country. It literally smells! Anyway Clive and I are having a bottle of whiskey on the 2nd. If we don't go &quout;out to the Joe" for once, it won't be for the lack of trying.

I get mail from Shirl, three times a week, that makes a big difference too, along with the cake, cigs and papers she is always sending. Shirl's a swell girl, one in a million. Had a letter from Des, he's much happier at the prospect of going to Nelson early next year. We'll have our 21st all over again I guess.

I'm glad to hear that Lenore and Raymond are in good health. So long as Lenore is as talkative and plays up as much, I reckon is a good sign that she's in the pink of condition. Give my love (special) to them both, my regards to Bill, and all the very best to yourself. You'll have to have us to tea one night, I mean Shirl and I, when I'll be able to tell you more fully of the life over here, and thanks again for your letter Eileen. Your loving brother John.