New Zealand 488 Sqn, RNZAF NF-O Officer N. Sharp
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W8138 154 No 488 Squadron, Kallang, Singapore. Twenty one aircraft in poor condition were taken over from No.67 Squadron (RAF). Coded NF-O. Crash landed with most of rudder shot away on 18 January 1942. Pilot Officer N. Sharp uninjured but aircraft written off.
F/O. NOEL C. SHARP 3 victories RNZAF 488/243/604 Squadrons Known claims:
January 12, 1942 Fighter Probable
January 13,1942 Fighter Ki-43
January 18, 1942 Fighter Type O
January 20, 1942 2 Bombers Damaged
Sharp is credited with three kills during the Battle of Malaya He claimed an unknown Japanese fighter on January 12, a Ki-43 Oscar the next day, an A6M Zero on January 18 and damaged two bombers on January 20.
He was shot down on 17 January 1942 but survived. Engineers were able to repair his aircraft, replacing the front section of the engine cowling with that of another plane. On 7 February, 1942, Sharp flew to Palembang, the Dutch East Indies in his Buffalo aircraft, where it never flew again.
He was killed in action on 20 February 1942, flying a Hawker Hurricane. He was 20 years old. Sharp was buried in the Kranji War Cemetery tery in Singapore He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 26 December
