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116th on front lines for ‘Avion Raid’ in 1917 Continued from page 37 after the battle of Vimy Ridge, and made a fine record during the Avion Raid in June 1917. One of the biggest and most successful trench raids of the season’s campaigning was carried out by Col. Sharpe’s men under difficult circumstances. So anxious was Col. Sharpe that there should be no failure in this first important action of the 116th, that on the night be- fore the raid, he went out himself into No Man’s Land in the dark with some subalterns and laid strips of white tape to mark practicable breaches in the enemy’s wire. It was by these narrow tape marked paths wind- ing among the deep wire barriers, that the men of Col. Sharpe’s command reached the enemy position with comparatively few casualties. But the strain of war was too great for Col. Sharpe and the inevitable result was a nervous breakdown. He was brought home an invalid and reached Mon- treal where his death occurred. Ontario County citizens turned out in thousands to pay tribute to the man who had led the 116th, and who truly sacrificed his life on behalf of his men. Slow- ly they followed his body to the tomb. Col. Sharpe was buried with full military honours and leading men in state and church were present at the funeral. Buried ina little cemetery at Uxbridge, Ontario, his mortal remains are resting and the pines keep sombre guard over his tomb. Exerpt from “On The Shores Of Scugog” By Samuel Farmer - 1934 In memory of many, In honour of all, Thank you. SCUGOG MEMORIAL LIBRARY 231 Water Street ort Perry 905-985-7686 www.scugoglibrary.ca 38 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2012 11.NOVEMBER.56 final indd 38 Soldiers of the 116th Battalion line up with Col. S. Sharpe (on horseback) before being deployed to France in 1916. We remember with gratitude all of those who served 4 from in defense the staffand residents of of their homelands. PORT RY VitLe RR 12-10-22 8:29AM