Veteran keeps history of medals

Ninety-seven year old Bob Sharp is a collector.

A former Royal Air Force mechanic who served in the Second World War, Sharp keeps a book to remember veterans he has come across in his life.

Purchased in 1962, the book offers descriptions of medals — primarily British ones — awarded throughout the years.

“I just bought it because I was interested in the medals and descriptions, there’s descriptions of each of the medals and that is why I got it,” he said.

Then he met a member of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry, Sergeant George Harry Mullin.

On Oct. 30, 1917, near Passchendaele, Belgium, his company was tasked with eliminating a German pillbox that was blocking its advance and causing heavy casualties

“While one group of Patricias led by Lieutenant Hugh Mckenzie made a frontal attack on the pillbox and drew its fire, Sergeant Mullin approached from the flank and crawled onto the top of the concrete structure, disposing of an enemy sniper’s position on the way ” read an account of the attack housed on the Government of Canada’s website.

From the top of the pillbox, Mullin took out two German machine-gunners with his revolver before compelling the remaining 10 officers to surrender.

This act of courage earned Mullin the Victoria Cross, awarded for the most “conspicuous bravery in attack.”

Mullin became the Sergeant-at-arms of the Legislative Building in 1943 and lived out his days in Saskatchewan, dying in Regina on April 5, 1963.

Before Mullin died, Sharp had him sign his book of medals, next to the description of the Victoria Cross.

“He was the first signature I got in the book, and after that I thought this was a good idea,” says Sharp.

Since then, hundreds of veterans — mostly living in Regina — have signed his book.

“I just did it for sport, it was nothing to anybody except me,” he said. There’s stories on each one of them, and people are pleased to sign the book.

“I’ve never had anybody who refused to sign the book,” he said.