On the afternoon of 9 September 1944, 9 Canadian Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers were ordered to construct a Bailey bridge over the canal at Meerbrugge, three miles south of Bruges, Belgium. During the evening infantry occupied a small bridgehead but the enemy were still in the bridgehead area and covered the bridge site with semi-automatic fire, mortars and artillery. Major Sharon, Officer Commanding, 9 Canadian Field Squadron, was on the site, and under his direction work on bank seats and off-loading of equipment was proceeded with until the site was no longer tenable because of heavy and accurate fire from ranges as close as 300 yards. During daylight, 10 September, the enemy were in direct observation of the site and enemy fire increased in intensity. To test the feasibility of construction of the bridge, Major Sharon, with no regard for his own safety, walked on to the site and drew so much semi-automatic and mortar fire that bridging was decided definitely not possible. By 2345 hours 10 September, the enemy semi-automatic fire on the bridge site was reduced considerably although the bridgehead was only a few hundred yards deep, and construction was started. Intense enemy mortar fire and artillery fire continued all night, with many shells landing very close to the construction parties. A 90-foot bridge was completed by 0530 hours and tanks were able to cross the canal to successfully expand the bridgehead, Throughout the entre operation, Major Sharon remained on the site. His persistence and determined initiative in conjunction with the example of his personal courage were responsible for the completion of the bridge under the most adverse circumstances by heavy mortar and semi-automatic fire at very close range.