Lt Jonathan Gumersal Sharp MC - No. 14 Balloon Section - No 34 Squadron
 

Hello everyone.

I am looking for information on a Canadian soldier named Jonathan Gumersal Sharp MC who served in the RFC as an observer in the No. 14 Balloon Section then transferred to No. 34 Squadron (as a observer) where he received his Military Cross. I have been able to find his gazette for receiving the MC which is great. I was also able to find the following excerpt about him while in the 14 Section Balloon Corp.

21/4/17 & 4/5/17 – Lt. Sharp parachuted from burning balloons. On the latter occasion Lt. Sharp stayed in the basket firing his revolver at the E.A. although the balloon was well alight.

Any further help especially while he served with the 14 Balloon Corp would be appreciated. Does anyone know any amazing books specifically on the Balloonists and their records?


Kind regards,

Huntington

Lieut. Jonathan Gumersal Sharp M.C.(RGA, RFC, RAF)
 

Huntington,

Welcome to The Forum! Two service records for Jonathan Gumersal Sharp
are archived at the National Archives, Kew, an Army Officer's Service Record
(file reference WO 339/53073) and his R.A.F. Officer's Service Record (AIR 76/
455/179). The AIR 76 record is digitized and is available online; the WO 339
record is not digitized and copies must be requested from the archive.
I learned the following details about Lieutenant Sharp:
--born at Toronto, Ontario, 19 October 1894; parents, William & Grace
(Farquharson) Sharp
--residence York, Ontario, 1901 Census); Toronto (1911 Census)
--joined the R.F.C. 14 August 1916
--attached Kite Balloon Section 17 December 1916
--appointed 2nd Lieut. Balloon Officer, 21 February 1917
--embarked to France, 19 March 1917
--to Army Artillery School, 26 March to 29 March 1917
--posted to No. 14 Balloon Company, 30 March 1917
--posted to 34 Squadron, 8 June 1917
--appointed Temporary Lieutenant, R.F.C., 1 August 1917
--admitted to hospital with contusion & lacerated arm, 6 August 1917;
discharged, 9 August 1917
--attached to 305th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, 15 October 1917
--attached to 28 Squadron on temporary duty, 28 March 1918
----injured in "aero accident,: 29 March 1918; in hospital, 1 April to 29
April 1918
--posted to 34 Squadron, as Observer, 6 May 1918
--posted to Home Establishment, 2 June 1918
--to Armament School, 28 September to 1 October 1918
--to 188(N) Training Squadron, 2 November 1918
--to 112 Squadron, 21 February 1919
--placed on the Unemployed List, 9 March 1919
--as you know, he was awarded the Military Cross
sources: AIR 76 RAF Officer's Service Record; RAF Casualty Form; Air
History People Index; Canada Census, 1901 & 1911); Ontario Births.

I have no information about his life after the war. He died on 26 January
1969, at Essex, New Jersey, U.S.A. I am not familiar with any books
about the Balloon Service. I hope this is helpful.
Best regards,

Josquin
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