When lands are opened up for settlement, the boundaries of the land for sale must be defined. This is done by a land surveyor. David Stirling Sharpe was one such who worked for many years in the Manning region.
Born in Lismore in 1892, David Stirling Sharpe was articled to Surveyor Mr A G Cowdery for four years before becoming licensed as a Surveyor in 1915.1
World War I interrupted his career and he enlisted in October 1915. He served as a gunner and was awarded the Military Medal in 1917.2
In 1922, he married and made Taree his home, purchasing two blocks of land in Alban Street, Taree.3 He took over a survey practice in Taree, which he operated until approx. 1936, following which he was employed as a valuer for the Rural Bank.4
World War 2 saw him re-enlist and posted to Albury, NSW as a training officer at the Small Arms School. In a sad quirk of fate, he was killed in a motor vehicle accident near Albury in 1943.5
His widow retained ownership of their house at 16 Alban Street, Taree until 1954. This fine residence is now recognised as a local Heritage Item.6
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
1 Northern Star Lismore, Monday 24 May 1943 Page 4
2 WW1 Service records
3 Taree Municipal Council Rates Books
4 Northern Champion, Saturday 15 October 1938
5 Northern Star Lismore, Monday 24 May 1943 Page 4
6 Manning River Times, Wednesday 12 May 1954 Page 11
