Mr A T Sharp is examining a cross at Messines Ridge Cemetery in Belgium. The cross marks the ...

Mr A T Sharp is examining a cross at Messines Ridge Cemetery in Belgium. The cross marks the grave of one of the soldiers who was buried in the battlefield and subsequently moved to the cemetery. The words on the cross read as follows: 'In Memory of Officers, NCO's and Men of the 51st Battalion AIF killed at Messines between 7-13 June 1917 RIP.' From the collection of Mr Alfred Thomas Sharp. Mr Sharp was the Commonwealth Immigration Officer of Victoria and was based in the London Office during the First World War. He and his wife hosted and visited many soldiers, particularly those from Victoria, who were recuperating in London. He also photographed many Australian graves in English cemeteries. His photograph collection relating to this period in London was bequeathed to the Memorial in 1922 after his death. During his time in London he was a member of the British Volunteer Regiment, serving with the Willesden Battalion, Middlesex Volunteer Regiment.