Major Brian William Fraser Sharman

Major Brian William Fraser Sharman was a soldier in 1 PARA, where he served as the RSM during the tour of Aden in 1967. He had evidently enjoyed a long period of service by the time he was finally commissioned in 1970 from the rank of WO1. He probably joined the British Army as an OR in 1946, though it is not clear to which unit. 

Whilst he officially became both a 2nd Lieutenant and a full Lieutenant on January 1, 1970, this was backdated to January 1, 1966 and January 1, 1968 respectively. He advanced very quickly to the rank of Captain on January 1, 1972 on a Special Reg. Commission. This became a full commission, along with the role of 1 PARA's Quartermaster, on April 1, 1972. He transferred to 2 PARA to become their Quartermaster in January 1976. He became a Major (QM) two years later, on April 10, 1978. 

Sharman received the MBE on December, 30, 1978, in recognition of his work for 2 PARA over the preceding two years in Aldershot, Berlin and Belfast. He was clearly viewed by his peers as an exceptional QM:

"Major Sharman became Quartermaster of the Second Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (in the rank of Captain) in January 1976. This appointment was his first as Quartermaster and coincided with the start of an unusually active and turbulent two years for the Battalion.

In his first six months he administered reciprocal company training exchanges with units from four different nations. His arrangements for these visits were faultless and did much to foster international military relations at an important working level. During this period he also prepared and directed comprehensive programme of service support to an MOD sponsored trial. Here again his administrative flair was greatly in evidence and this, combined with his tactful but positive handling of civilian staff from the associated Research and Development establishments was a major contribution to a successful trial.

The next six months saw the Battalion involved with a six week period of spearhead duty; a Trooping of the Colour parade before the Chief of the General Staff; a Battalion Airborne Test Exercise and a major NATO exercise in Norway; a reconnaissance visit to Berlin, and preliminary training for Northern Ireland. The administrative support to all these diverse and sometimes concurrent commitments was impeccable.

The Battalion moved to Belfast in November 1976 for an operational roulement tour of four months. This was Major Sharman's first experience of Northern Ireland. Here, apart from the normal heavy work load peculiar to that theatre, he had the additional tasks of closing and relocating the Battalion echelon, a rifle company, and some attached minor units. Superimposed over these projects was the major problem of planning and co-ordinating the administrative aspects of a unit move from Aldershot to Berlin.

By dint of careful planning, tireless personal effort and a splendidly motivated staff he achieved the remarkable feat of handing over to the relieving unit in Belfast, marching the Battalion out of its barracks at Aldershot and occupancy of its present barracks in Berlin within a six week period. That these complicated moves (occurring barely a year after he had become Quartermaster) were accomplished smoothly and efficiently stamped Major (then Captain) Sharman as a Quartermaster of outstanding ability and potential. 

Once in Berlin he again found himself involved in the busy spiral of extraneous events which are very much part of unit life in that station. Simultaneously the Battalion was reorganising on to the new establishment and changing its equipment scales. These events all took place without the benefit of the Second Quartermaster for whom the Battalion was now established, so consequently, the major load of this administrative reorganisation fell squarely on Major Sharman. Characteristically, he met all the varied unit and external demands with unfailing co-operation, energy and resourcefulness. In particular his foresight, originality of thought and skilful management of limited resources were major factors behind the Battalion's successful participation in the much acclaimed 1977 Berlin tattoo. More recently (still without the Second Quartermaster) he was involved in peripheral but nevertheless important activities associated with the recent visit by her Majesty the Queen to Berlin. 

Possessed of a pleasant and balanced personality, high personal standards, and having the prime administrative virtues of foresight and flexibility, he is a Quartermaster of the highest calibre. Promoted to Substantive Major two months ago, his professional ability is likely to bring him further promotion in due course. More than anything, however, by his integrity, moral courage, calm common sense and resolute determination in the face of myriad pressures which would have tested even the most experienced Quartermaster, he has been an example and inspiration to all ranks in the Battalion. 

Major Sharman is due to be posted to the School of Infantry early next January. Consequently, his appointment as Quartermaster to this battalion will have been the climax to the thirty two continuous years of distinguished and exemplary service at Regimental Duty. 

In brief therefore, his tenure in this key post has spanned a particularly exciting and turbulent period. The challenge was met by a total personal commitment well beyond the normal bounds of duty: above all his performance has been a triumph of character which richly merits special recognition". 

Sharman retired on October 21, 1984.