Final salute from friends and comrades to veteran

Mourners have paid their final respects to a much-loved Korean war veteran.

Friends and comrades from far and wide turned out to attend the funeral of Major David Sharp BEM at Charing Crematorium last Friday.

Major Sharp died last month 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.

The Korean war veteran who lived in south Ashford was a multiple escapee as a prisoner of war.

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

He was the last Commonwealth prisoner to be released by the Chinese at the end of the Korean War. Major David Sharp and right, mourners pay their last respects

Major Sharp was awarded a number of accolades, and was president of the Second World War Escape Lines Memorial Society and a member of the British Olympic Association.

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

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

Following his death, there were fears that the veteran would be given a pauper’s funeral.

Friends and charities rallied to raise the money for the veteran on an online fundraising page, set up by friend Emma Barritt.

Fortunately, Major Sharp’s bank details were discovered in time to pay the funeral costs and those who had donated were refunded.

Mrs Barritt, former secretary for the Ashford branch of the Royal British Legion said: “The funeral went as well as could be expected. A great number of people attended to pay their respects.

“It was a moving, poignant service led by Captain Stephen Brown. Many thanks to all who attended.”

Around 200 people attended the service.