Sharples, Richard Christopher

Date of birth:: August 6th, 1916
Date of death:: March 10th, 1973 (Bermuda)
Service number:: P/64044/69094
Nationality:: British

Biography

Richard Sharples graduated from Sandhurst in 1936 and was commissioned into the Welsh Guards.
After the war he moved into politics and was elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Sutton and Cheam in a 1954 by-election. After the 1970 general election, he served as Minister of State at the Home Office, before resigning his seat in 1972 to take up the position of Governor of Bermuda.
At midnight on March 10, 1973, 56 year old Governor Sharples was killed along with his 26 year old aide-de-camp, Captain Hugh Sayers of the Welsh Guards and his Great Dane, Horsa. They were ambushed outside Bermuda’s Government House while taking the dog for a walk following a dinner party.
Both assassins were hung on December 1st, 1977. They were the last people executed under British rule worldwide.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Captain
Unit:: 2nd Battalion Welsh Guards, 20th Independent Infantry Brigade (Guards), 1st Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded on:: December 20th, 1940

Citation:
"At BOULOGNE, between the 21st and 23rd May, Lt. Sharples showed great coolness under fire. When posts held by personnel of the H.Q. ompany were heavily attacked this officer went forward and personally directed the fire on to the approaches from a small wood through which the enemy were advancing in an attempt to encircle the village in which battalion H. Qrs. Was situated. By his coolness and courage under heavy fire Lieut. Sharples was able to make good dispositions for his troops whic prevented the enemy attack from being succesful."

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Major
Unit:: 3rd Battalion Welsh Guards, 1st Guards Brigade, 6th Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded on:: October 15th, 1946

Citation:
"RICHARD SHARPLES, Major, MC, 3d Battalion, 6th British Armored Division, British Army, for gallantry in action at Monte Battaglia, Italy on 11 October 1944. When three enemy companies attacked his company position and succeeded in passing through the artillery defensive fire, and as visibility was limited had arrived at a point blank position, Major Sharples fearlessly exposed himself to enemy fire going from position to position directingm organizing and encouraging his men. Su succesful was his leadership that the enemy, after sustaining many casualties were forced to withdraw into a house in a valley below his position. Major Sharples at once directed heavy firre upon the house with such effect that a white flag was soon hoisted and the enemy surrendered their morale chattered by Major Sharples'furious resistance. His courage, leadership and devotion to duty refelct great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered service from London, England."

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Rank:: Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: Welsh Guards
Awarded on:: June 1st, 1953

Citation:
"Lt. Col. Sharples is a founder member of the experiment of international co-operation in Europe. He joined my staff in the Western Union Defence Organisation in October, 1948 and has remained with me till the present time. During nearly five years he has laboured unceasingly for the cause; he is liked and trusted by all the nations from Norway to Turkey, and had built up a tremendous reputation for himself. He is leaving my staff on 1st May to rejoin the Welsh Guards. His work has been beyond all praise, and he deserves some recognition beyond the ordinary. I recommend him for the honour of the O.B.E."

WO 373/161/68
on the occasion of the Coronation of Elizabeth II