Community rallies round for hero of Korean War

Friends and charities rush to pay for funeral costs

Generous fundraisers who helped raise thousands in less than 24 hours to give a war veteran an appropriate send-off have been praised for their efforts after it emerged he might have been destined for a pauper’s funeral.

Korean War veteran Major David Sharp BEM died on Remembrance Sunday while on a trip to St Mawgan near Newquay in Cornwall, where he was a part-time lecturer at the survival school.

Friends of the veteran and charities stepped up financially to help give the 88-year-old Korean prisoner of war a “well deserved” send-off, but fortunately his bank details were discovered in time which will now cover the funeral costs.

Friend Emma Barritt, who set up the JustGiving page, said: “Thank you all so much for your wonderful generosity in raising the amount that you did.

“Very fortunately and just in time, details of David’s bank account were discovered, and the cost of his funeral has now been covered by his bank.

“Please accept a really heartfelt thank you from all his friends and the organisations he was a member of.

“A special note of thanks is due to Help Our Wounded Royal Marines and Supporting Arms charity for their magnificent contribution of £5,000, which has now been returned to them for use to support another deserving veteran or family in the future.”

Help Our Wounded Royal Marines and Supporting Arms was established in February 2013, and helps various military causes.

After seeing the original appeal online, the Sittingbourne-based charity donated the full £5,000 fundraising target, which has been returned to use to help others.

Chris Falcke, a founding member and trustee of the charity, said at the time of Sittingbourne charity Help Our Wounded Royal Marines and Supporting Arms immediately stumped up the full £5,000 needed to pay for Major Sharp’s funeral the donation: “We didn’t want to have the fundraising target fall short and wanted to make sure it happens.

“He earned the right to more than he’s getting.”

In addition to the charity’s contribution, more than £2,000 was donated online, but all donations to the JustGiving page will be refunded.

Ms Barritt said: “It’s an amazing feeling. I think that now the important thing is that we get as many people there as possible.

“There are many veterans who are worthy of donations. If you would like to donate still, please contact veteransfunerals.co.uk, who would appreciate the support.”

David Sharp was a multiple escapee as a prisoner of war. He was the last Commonwealth prisoner to be released by the Chinese at the end of the Korean War.

He worked as a para, and specialist jungle warfare instructor and served behind enemy lines with the US military.

Major Sharp was awarded a number of accolades throughout his life, including the Korean Medal of Honor and the Nobel Peace Prize Medal (a separate award to the Nobel Peace Prize).

In addition, he was president of the Second World War Escape Lines Memorial Society and a member of the British Olympic Association.

He also worked as Ashford Borough Council’s recreation officer from the late 1970s to 1989.

He recently worked with the United Nations, and was dedicated to raising money for military charities.

Mr Sharp’s funeral will be held at Charing Crematorium on Friday, December 16 at 2pm.

To keep up to date, join the Facebook group David Sharp BEM Funeral Arrangements.

David Sharp, who has died aged 88, and Chris Falcke from Help Our Wounded Royal Marines and Supporting Arms