Camelon can pay respects to Walter Sharp

The funeral of Walter Sharp takes place on Monday, August 31.

He died peacefully in Forth Valley Royal Hospital on August 19, only 12 days after his 106th birthday.Plans for a birthday party had been shelved after he fell days before the landmark occasion as he returned to his home from a holiday in Fife with son Brian and daughter-in-law Catherine.Former provost Pat Reid led the tributes, saying: “Walter will be missed not only because of his remarkable age but also because of his personality.“We met on several occasions, including his centenary birthday. As Mariners both, we also travelled together in the Mariners Day parade that year, with Walter very much the centre of attraction.“He was a gentleman in every sense of the word - modest, kind and possessed with a bright mind and wit. Camelon was very lucky to have Walter in our midst for so long.”Walter’s funeral takes place at 12.15pm at Falkirk Crematorium.Prior to the service it will drive through the streets of Camelon.

The route will take it along Wilson Avenue, Wilson Drive, Mariner Road and the nearby shops, Mariner Avenue and passing his Carmuirs Avenue home around 11.55am.Born in 50 Glasgow Road, Camelon on August 7, 1914 — just three days after the outbreak of the First World War — Walter was one of five children along with brothers Robert, Jack and William and sister Helen.After attending Carmuirs Primary School and Camelon High School, he began working at the Carmuirs Iron Works before joining the Army at the age of 26.Walter earned a clutch of medals in recognition of the service he gave to his country over a six-year period, including France’s Legion of Honour and the African Star, and toured several countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy.During his career in the military he would also meet his wife, Doris, who died in 1990, while serving in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in Surrey.Walter admitted to witnessing various harrowing sights in the line of duty, including 20 men being killed when a bomb landed in Portsmouth on his very first night in the Army.He never forgot all those comrades who lost their lives serving their country and on May 8 this year as the nation celebrated the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Walter stood in his garden, proudly wearing his medals, and saluted their sacrifice.Walter and his wife had their son Brian, who is now 73.A role with Carmuirs Iron Works remained open upon his return home from the frontline, later joining bus builder Alexander Dennis as a storeman before taking retirement.Up until a few years ago he was jokingly known as the world’s oldest paper boy as he would get up at 6.30am every day to deliver newspapers to his neighbours.His constant companion in recent years was his West Highland terrier Harry, but sadly he died earlier this year, aged 14.