News
November 18th 2021
Legacy of Eric Sharpe, Lincs ACF, lives on
Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire presenting one of Eric Sharpe's generous donations
Eric Sharpe, former Army Regular and Reservist, and instructor with the Army Cadet Force, died in 2019 aged 86, but his legacy lives on through his generous donations of over £500,000 to various charities and organisations close to his heart.
Eric Sharpe joined the Army at 18 and served with the Sherwood Foresters. On leaving the regular Army, Eric joined the 4/6th Royal Lincolnshire Regiment, becoming a Warrant Officer in the Royal Anglian Regiment. Eric also served in the Reserve Parachute Regiment, qualifying for his Red Beret and Parachute Wings.
Eric joined the ACF in 1965, being promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major of Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) in 1983, and also held roles as Public Relations Officer and First Aid Officer. It was at the ACF that he first met two young officers, Ogg and Phillips, and took them under his wing.
Lt Col Ray M Ogg BEM, (Contingent Commander) at The King’s School, Grantham, and Captain Raymond J Phillips Retd ACF, (Chartered Survey and Agricultural Valuer), are now executors to Eric’s will. They have spent the last 20 months presenting cheques and memorabilia to many of the chosen organisations.
Beneficiaries of Eric’s generous legacy
Eric left substantial legacies to Lincolnshire ACF, CVQO (provider of vocational qualifications to youth groups such as the Cadets), The King’s School, Grantham Combined Cadet Force, and the Army Benevolent Fund. In addition, generous donations have been made to Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Minster Practice, Lincoln County Hospital, The Leukaemia Research Fund and Barnados. The British Red Cross, The British Heart Foundation, The Ecclesiastical Parish of North Hykeham, The Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, and The Lincolnshire Action Trust have also benefitted.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) have named a Shannon-type boat after Eric, which will come into service in 2022 at Great Yarmouth.
In the last few months, the two Rays were guests at the Royal Anglian Museum, presenting Eric’s medals and discussing how they would spend their £30,000 legacy. They also met General Woodisse and others who had served with Eric.
They also were guests of St John Ambulance at their Choral Evensong at St Wulphram’s. The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Toby Dennis, was present and was delighted to see the XC90 General Service vehicle bought with Eric’s legacy. The vehicle has state of the art equipment and will be used to serve the community of Lincolnshire. Eric’s name is on the side window, as a memorial to his generosity.
Most recently, Ray and Raymond presented a cheque for £59,000 to the Army Benevolent Fund at the ABF Coldstream Guards Band Concert in St Wulphram’s Church.
There are further presentations planned in the coming months, testament to the generous spirit of Eric Sharpe and his connections with so many worthy causes in our community. Eric’s commitment to others was exemplary and his dedication to the Army Cadet Force means he is remembered with deep affection, by what had become his ‘family’.
Find out more about the role of Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
