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in Glasgow I took ill and ended up having
a significant medical event. This was not helped by my clerical assistant when she answered my desk phone and in response to the callers request to speak to me, she said “I am sorry Maj Sharp is no longer with us!”. That of course set the jungle drums pounding and I was shocked to read of my early demise and pleased though to prove I was still alive and kicking!
How did the operational tempo and sport and adventurous training work out for you?
Well aside from my two and a half years in NI I also spent very short tours in Bosnia and Kosovo. As a junior soldier I represented the Apprentices College in both The
Army Junior Tennis and Army Junior Judo championships. On entry to adult service,
I continued to represent the AMS at tennis for many years. When I retired, I was the AMS Rugby Secretary and part of the team to organise and deliver the AMS Rugby tour to South Africa as well as being treasurer
for the AMS Sports Union. I was fortunate
to attend and participate in many adventure training activities and compete in Corps Skiing events. In recognition of those efforts, I was awarded the Murphy Cup (an award to the individual promoting sport in the AMS) and AMS Rugby Colours. I continue to enjoy walking, sailing and frequently exercise in my local gym. There is a picture of me on a horse and many ask why that is. Ever since childhood I have always had a fascination with and a liking for horses. This may seem strange for someone raised in the tenements of inner-city Glasgow where the only time
to see a horse were on coal delivery days
or visits of the rag and bone man. The only
chance to actually get in the saddle came on the annual visits to somewhere like Blackpool. I suppose that because it was something that I always wanted to do and never could in formative years, when the opportunities arose, and I found myself located in places with saddle clubs and able to access tuition and courses then these opportunities just had to be maximized. As well as attending the challenging military riding courses, useful networking led to further opportunities such as regular riding out on Morning Watering in Hyde Park with The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and riding out for a National Hunt trainer
on his yard horses, one of which was a Grand National entry later in the year but I hasten to add that I was not in the saddle for that outing! The accompanying pic of a
back somersault dismount was one of the welcoming induction exercises to the All Arms Equestrian course at Windsor. I dread to think of the consequences were I to try it now.
So how did the position as RADC Regimental Secretary come about in 2006?
I knew my predecessor, Ron Taylor, was leaving and it was something that I could see myself bringing so much to having served across all ranks to Major and in
such a variety of employments. I did not expect to be there for 17 years though!
That said I haven’t regretted much of my time there despite having to go around the same old buoys time and again. I especially enjoyed providing the focal point for Corps Benevolence, links with our Colonel in Chief, the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the general custodian of our Corps traditions, protocols, values, and standards. In the latter years much change has come about as more has been placed upon us as the Corps reduced by loss of the Technical and Hygienist cadres and reduction in other numbers.
This affects much, and given we rely on our Days Pay scheme for funding our ability and capacity to support more than we do. It is limited as we need to ensure prudence and caution just in case the rainy day comes in the form of a significant benevolence case or as we saw recently the 100th Anniversary of the Corps. Additionally, we support a lot of activity in adventurous training, expeditions and sport and try to enhance the quality of life for Corps members past and present.
I know you have taken part in many charity events John so what are your highlights from that area?
I always enjoyed being involved in any charitable venture be it major or minor or whether my role involved actual participation or just being a backroom boy and doing
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